Does an invitation letter need to be officially stamped or notarized?

Whether an invitation letter for a Schengen visa needs to be officially stamped or notarized depends on the embassy of the country you’re applying to. Here’s a clear breakdown from Outbound Singapore: 📍 1. Most Schengen countries A simple signed letter from your host (with a copy of their ID or residence permit) is enough — no need for notarization. This applies to countries like France, Italy, Spain, and the Netherlands for most short-stay visits. 🏢 2. Some countries require official verification Certain embassies — such as Germany, Austria, or Switzerland — may ask for the letter to be verified, stamped, or notarized by local municipal authorities or immigration offices, especially if your host is covering your expenses. 💡 Tip from Outbound Singapore: Before submitting your documents, we’ll check the latest embassy-specific rules to confirm whether your host needs to visit their local town hall or provide an official sponsorship form. This saves you time and prevents missing documents during submission.