Certified translation and notarisation: when and why you need both

Singapore is a multilingual country, but official documents submitted to foreign authorities often need to be in the language of the receiving country, or at least in English. When a document is in a language the destination authority does not accept, a certified translation is required alongside the notarisation.

What is a certified translation?

A certified translation is a translation carried out (or verified) by a qualified translator, accompanied by a signed declaration that the translation is accurate and complete. In the context of notarisation, the Notary Public can then certify the translation by attaching a Notarial Certificate to it, just as they would for any other document.

When do you need a certified translation?

• Submitting a Chinese, Malay, or Tamil birth certificate to a university or employer in an English-speaking country.
• Sending an English contract or power of attorney to China, where a certified Chinese translation is expected.
• Providing marriage certificates, academic transcripts, or corporate documents to authorities that require them in their official language.
• Immigration applications where the receiving country requires all supporting documents in their national language.

Who provides the translation?

Translation is not a regulated service in Singapore in the way that notarisation is. There is no single accredited body. However, most notary firms either have in-house translators or work with trusted translation partners. Using the same firm for both translation and notarisation simplifies the process, since the notary can certify the translation directly without you needing to go back and forth.

How it works in practice

• Bring the original document to a notary firm that offers translation.
• The firm arranges the translation (or you provide one from a qualified translator).
• The notary reviews the translation against the original.
• The notary certifies both the original and the translation, attaching Notarial Certificates.
• SAL authenticates the certificates if the documents are for overseas use.

Costs

The notarisation fees are statutory and the same as for any other document: $10 per document plus $5 per additional page, $75 per Notarial Certificate, and $87.20 for SAL authentication. The translation cost sits on top of this and is quoted by the firm. For a straightforward single-page certificate translation, expect anywhere from $50 to $80 depending on the language.

Tips

• Check with the receiving authority exactly which language they need and whether they accept English as an alternative.
• Ask the notary firm whether they can handle both translation and notarisation in one visit.
• For commonly requested languages (Chinese, Malay, Tamil), most Singapore notary firms can turn this around in one to two business days.
• Keep a copy of the certified translation for your own records, as you may need it again for future applications.