Guide · 16 April 2026 · 2 min read
Certified translation and notarisation: when and why you need both
If your document is not in English, or needs to be used in a country with a different official language, you may need a certified translation alongside notarisation.
Key points
- If your document is not in a language the receiving authority accepts, you need a certified translation as well as notarisation.
- A Notary Public can certify the translation alongside the original.
- Notarisation fees are fixed by law. Translation is priced by the provider.
- Using one firm for both saves a second trip.
In this guide
Official documents for a foreign authority often need to be in that country's language, or in English. If yours is not, you need a certified translation as well as the notarisation.
What is a certified translation?
A translation by a qualified translator, with a signed statement that it is accurate and complete. A Notary Public can then certify it with a Notarial Certificate, like any other document.
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Get a quote →When you need one
- A Chinese, Malay or Tamil birth certificate for a university or employer in an English-speaking country.
- An English contract or Power of Attorney going to China, where a Chinese translation is expected.
- Marriage certificates, transcripts or company documents for authorities that require their own language.
- Immigration applications where every supporting document must be in the national language.
Who provides it?
Translation is not regulated in Singapore the way notarisation is. Many notary firms have in-house translators or partners, and using one firm for both saves going back and forth.
If you need the translation itself rather than the notarisation, our sister site handles certified translation for Singapore authorities and overseas use: certifiedtranslation.com.sg.
The steps
- 1Bring the original document to a notary firm that offers translation.
- 2The firm arranges the translation, or you provide one from a qualified translator.
- 3The notary checks the translation against the original.
- 4The notary certifies the original and the translation, attaching Notarial Certificates.
- 5SAL authenticates the certificates, if the documents need it.
Costs
Certified true copy
Fee: $10 for the first page, $5 per extra page
Notarial Certificate
Fee: $75
SAL authentication, if needed
Fee: $87.20
Translation
Fee: Set by the provider, often about $60 to $80 for a one-page certificate
| What | Fee |
|---|---|
| Certified true copy | $10 for the first page, $5 per extra page |
| Notarial Certificate | $75 |
| SAL authentication, if needed | $87.20 |
| Translation | Set by the provider, often about $60 to $80 for a one-page certificate |
Tips
- Check exactly which language the receiving authority needs, and whether English is accepted.
- Ask the firm whether it can handle the translation and notarisation in one visit.
- For Chinese, Malay and Tamil, many firms can turn it around in one to two working days.
- Keep a copy of the certified translation, as you may need it again.
Keep reading
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