Singpass ID Singapore: What It Is, How to Register, and How to Retrieve [2026]

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Written by Sneha Patwari, Corporate Secretary Lead

I've guided hundreds of founders through the incorporation process across Hong Kong and Singapore. The questions are always different; the mistakes are usually the same. I write to help people avoid them.

Last reviewed by August 2026.

Key Takeaways

Singpass is Singapore's national digital identity system, giving you secure access to over 2,000 government services and private sector services with a single login.

Your Singpass ID is your unique login username. For most users, it is your NRIC or FIN number.

Foreign individuals without a Singapore government-issued ID can apply for a Singpass Foreign User Account (SFA), which grants access to a more limited set of services.

Singpass is mandatory for registering a company in Singapore via ACRA's Bizfile, filing taxes on IRAS, and managing CPF accounts.

Singpass works alongside Corppass, Singapore's corporate digital identity system, which is required for business transactions with government agencies.

Singpass (Singapore Personal Access) is Singapore's national digital identity system. It gives residents, foreign workers, and business operators secure, single-login access to over 2,000 government and private sector services. If you live, work, or run a company in Singapore, Singpass touches almost everything: tax filing, company registration, CPF management, healthcare appointments, and more.

Your Singpass ID is the username you use to log in to this system. For most users, that is your NRIC (National Registration Identity Card) or FIN (Foreign Identification Number) number, the same identification number on your Singapore identity card or work pass. When people ask "what is my Singpass ID?", they are asking for this login credential, not a separate membership number.

Tip: Explore the key things you need to know about incorporating a business in Singapore.

What Is Singpass?

Singpass is managed by the Government Technology Agency of Singapore (GovTech) and serves as the primary digital identity for everyone living, working, or doing business in Singapore. A single account gives you access to IRAS for tax filing, ACRA's Bizfile for company registration and corporate filings, the CPF portal, public healthcare booking, and hundreds of private sector services including banking and insurance.

The system is built on two core components. MyInfo stores your verified personal data and pre-fills government and private sector forms automatically. Two-factor authentication (2FA) protects your account through a secondary verification step via the Singpass app or SMS.

Singpass sits at the heart of Singapore's digital transformation. It replaces paper forms, counter visits, and physical ID checks with fast, secure online transactions across the public sector and private sector.

What Is My Singpass ID?

Your Singpass ID is your NRIC or FIN number. It is the same identification number printed on your Singapore identity card or government-issued pass. There is no separate Singpass membership number.

User Type Singpass ID Format Example
Singapore Citizens and PRs NRIC number S1234567A
Eligible foreign pass holders FIN (Foreign Identification Number) G1234567A
Singpass Foreign User Account (SFA) holders Registered email address you@domain.com

If you have forgotten your Singpass ID, go to the official Singpass portal and use the ID retrieval page. Enter your NRIC or FIN, then verify your identity to reset your password.

Who Is Eligible to Have a Singpass?

Singpass registration is open to three groups of people.

  • Singapore Citizens and Permanent Residents are automatically eligible. You can register using your NRIC number at any time.
  • Eligible foreign nationals — including holders of an Employment Pass, S Pass, EntrePass, Dependant's Pass, Long-Term Visit Pass, Work Permit, and certain Student Pass types — can register using their FIN. The pass must be issued by the Ministry of Manpower (MOM) or the Immigration & Checkpoints Authority (ICA).
  • Singpass Foreign User Account (SFA) is available to individuals without a Singapore government-issued ID. An SFA is issued directly by the specific agency you need to transact with (currently Corppass, GoBusiness, IRAS, or the Ministry of Law), and it only grants access to that issuing agency's services — for example, a foreign director filing a one-off declaration through Corppass. If you need to deal with more than one agency, you'll need a separate SFA for each.

For a full overview of pass types, read our guide to work permits and visas in Singapore.

Singpass vs Singpass Foreign User Account (SFA)

Both accounts provide secure access to Singapore's digital services, but they differ in scope and target user.

Feature Singpass Singpass Foreign User Account (SFA)
Who it is for Citizens, PRs, eligible foreign pass holders in Singapore Non-residents without a Singapore government-issued ID
Scope of access 2,000+ government services and private sector services Selected government digital services only
Singpass ID format NRIC or FIN number Registered email address
Authentication Biometric login, 2FA via app or SMS Email-based verification
Primary use Day-to-day residents and business operators in Singapore International users accessing specific Singapore services from abroad

How to Register for Singpass

Registering for a Singpass account takes about 15 minutes. Here is the process for eligible individuals.

Step 1: Confirm Your Eligibility

Singapore Citizens and PRs are automatically eligible. Foreign pass holders should verify that their pass type is on the eligible list before starting.

Step 2: Set Up Your Account

Go to portal.singpass.gov.sg and click "Register for Singpass." Enter your NRIC or FIN and follow the on-screen instructions. Create a strong password to complete the initial account setup.

Step 3: Activate Two-Factor Authentication (2FA)

Singpass verifies new registrants instantly through Face Verification (a live selfie matched against your government identity record) during the same registration session; if Face Verification isn't available to you, you can activate 2FA using SMS OTP instead.

The Singpass app is recommended, since it enables biometric login (fingerprint or face recognition) and is required for certain higher-security transactions.

The Singpass Mobile App: Features and How to Use It

The Singpass mobile app is the fastest and most secure way to use Singpass. It is available for iOS and Android on all major mobile devices.

Key features of the Singpass app:

  • Biometric login. Verify your identity with your fingerprint or face instead of typing a password.
  • QR code scan login. Scan the QR code on any Singpass-integrated website to log in without typing.
  • Digital signing. Digitally sign contracts, forms, and government documents from your phone.
  • 6-digit passcode. A backup way to authenticate transactions when biometrics fail.
  • Singpass face verification. Verify identity remotely for high-security transactions like opening bank accounts.
  • MyInfo access. View and share verified personal details with participating services.
  • News and updates. Receive alerts about your account, government notices, and MOM latest news.

Once installed, activate the app by scanning a QR code on the Singpass website while logged in. From that point, the app becomes your default authentication method across all Singpass-enabled services.

How to Retrieve a Forgotten Singpass ID

Your Singpass ID is your NRIC or FIN, so if you have the physical card or pass, you already have it. If you have forgotten your password or are locked out of your account, follow these steps.

  1. Go to the Singpass ID retrieval page.
  2. Enter your NRIC or FIN number.
  3. Use your registered email or mobile number to verify your identity and reset your password.

If you hold a Singpass Foreign User Account (SFA): Your Singpass ID is the email address you registered with. If you cannot recall it, use the SFA retrieval flow on the same portal.

If your account is locked: Multiple failed login attempts trigger a security lock. Do not attempt to create a new account. Singpass accounts are tied to your NRIC or FIN, and duplicate registrations are not permitted. Contact Singpass support to have your account unlocked.

How to Protect Your Singpass ID: Security Best Practices

Your Singpass ID unlocks access to sensitive government and financial services. Protecting it is not optional. Follow these best practices for data protection.

  • Enable 2FA at all times. Use the Singpass app for the strongest form of authentication.
  • Never share your password. Government agencies, banks, and Singpass itself will never ask for your password over phone, email, or SMS.
  • Watch out for phishing. Always check the URL starts with https://www.singpass.gov.sg. Fake portals are common and can steal your credentials.
  • Keep your mobile number and email updated. If your registered contact details are out of date, you cannot receive OTPs or reset your password.
  • Log out after each session. Especially on shared or public devices.
  • Report vulnerability. If you spot a security issue on the Singpass platform, report it through the official channels at singpass.gov.sg.
  • Verify Singpass app updates. Only install app updates from the Apple App Store or Google Play Store, never from links sent by SMS or email.
  • Enable device biometrics. Add a fingerprint or face lock to the mobile device itself for an extra layer of protection.

If you suspect unauthorised access, log in to your Singpass account and change your password immediately, then contact Singpass support.

Using Singpass for Business in Singapore

If you are setting up or operating a company in Singapore, Singpass is one of the incorporation requirements and a prerequisite for most government platforms.

ACRA's Bizfile platform handles company incorporation in Singapore and all ongoing corporate filings. It requires Singpass login for every individual director and shareholder. Foreign directors without a Singapore-issued ID need to work through a registered filing agent or a corporate service provider who can act on their behalf.

Want to set up a company in Singapore? Read our guide to registering a company in Singapore for foreigners for the full process.

Other common business uses of Singpass in Singapore include:

Singpass vs Corppass: How They Work Together

For businesses, Singpass works alongside Corppass, Singapore's separate corporate digital identity system. Corppass authorises employees or third-party agents to transact on behalf of a registered business entity.

Here is the key distinction:

  • Singpass = personal identity. Your individual login for any Singapore digital service.
  • Corppass = corporate authorisation. Let an individual (already logged in with Singpass) act on behalf of a Singapore company.
Feature Singpass Corppass
Identity type Personal Business
Login credential NRIC / FIN Linked to your Singpass
Used for Personal tax, CPF, healthcare, personal banking ACRA filings, IRAS corporate tax, CPF employer account, government tenders
Who needs it Every Singapore resident and pass holder Every Singapore company officer or authorised employee
Managed by GovTech / Singpass GovTech / Corppass admin at the company

To transact on behalf of your company, you first log in with your Singpass, then switch to Corppass to access company-level services. Both are required if you run a Singapore company. Setting up Corppass is one of the first tasks after your company is incorporated.

Common Issues and Solutions

Forgot my Singpass ID or password: Reset it through the Singpass portal using your NRIC or FIN and your registered email or mobile number. The portal walks you through the reset in a few minutes.

2FA not working: Check that your registered mobile number is current and that your device has a stable internet connection. If using the Singpass app, confirm that app notifications are enabled in your phone settings.

Account locked: Contact Singpass support if your account is locked after multiple failed login attempts. Do not attempt to register again, as your Singpass account is tied to your NRIC or FIN.

Foreign pass holder registration issues: Confirm your pass type is eligible and that your residential address in ICA or MOM records matches your current address. Singpass registration cross-checks your registered address, and a mismatch can block the activation step.

Suspected phishing or fraud: Change your password immediately and report the incident through the official Singpass portal.

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FAQs

What is my Singpass ID?

Your Singpass ID is your NRIC number (for Singapore Citizens and Permanent Residents) or your FIN (for eligible foreign pass holders). It is the same number printed on your Singapore identity card or government-issued work pass. If you hold a Singpass Foreign User Account (SFA), your Singpass ID is the email address you used when creating the account.

Do all Singaporeans have Singpass?

Singapore Citizens and Permanent Residents are automatically eligible but must register to activate their account. Since SingPass is required for tax filing, CPF access, and most government digital services, most adults in Singapore already have one.

Can foreigners get Singpass?

Yes. Foreign nationals holding a valid Employment Pass, S Pass, EntrePass, Dependant's Pass, Long-Term Visit Pass, or certain Student Pass types issued by MOM or ICA are eligible to register for Singpass. Foreign individuals without a Singapore government-issued ID can apply for a Singpass Foreign User Account (SFA), which provides access to a more limited range of government services.

Do I need Singpass to register a company in Singapore?

Yes. ACRA's Bizfile platform, used for company incorporation and all statutory filings, requires Singpass login for each individual director and shareholder. If you are a foreign director without a Singapore-issued ID, you will need to transact through a registered corporate service provider or filing agent who can act on your behalf.

What is the difference between Singpass and Corppass?

SingPass is your personal digital identity. CorpPass is a separate authorisation system that lets employees or service providers transact on behalf of a registered company. Both are required if you own or manage a Singapore company.

How do I protect my Singpass ID from being hacked?

Enable 2FA, use the Singpass mobile app for biometric login, never share your password, avoid clicking on links in unsolicited emails or SMS, keep your registered mobile and email up to date, and log out after each session. Report any suspicious activity to Singpass support.

Is there a fee to register for Singpass?

No. Singpass registration and use are free for eligible individuals. The Singapore government funds the system as part of its digital transformation strategy.

How long does Singpass registration take?

Online setup takes about 15 minutes. Two-factor authentication (2FA) activation is typically instant, since it's completed via Face Verification or SMS OTP.

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