Quick answer
Do Singapore Documents for China Still Need Embassy Legalisation?
No. China has accepted apostilles since 7 November 2023, so a Singapore document with an SAL apostille no longer needs legalisation at the Chinese embassy in Singapore. Where the office in China wants a Chinese version, Chinese translation and apostille in Singapore means a certified Simplified Chinese translation, notarised and then apostilled by SAL.
The office in China may ask for a Chinese version. SAL does not translate, and it only legalises documents in English or bilingual with English. So the route in Singapore is: certified Chinese (Simplified) translation with a translator's declaration → notarisation by a Notary Public → SAL authentication and apostille.
The office in China may want the translation done in China. Please confirm with the receiving office first — send us their list and we check it with you before you pay.
Why Documents for China Get Sent Back
Translation added after the apostille
If only the English original is apostilled and a translation is attached later, the translation carries no Singapore certification. We agree the order with you before anything is signed.
Traditional instead of Simplified Chinese
Mainland China uses Simplified Chinese. We translate into Simplified Chinese unless the recipient asks otherwise.
Names that don't match
Your Chinese name, English name and passport spelling should line up. We translate names exactly as in your passport and flag any mismatch early.
An original SAL cannot accept
A laminated birth certificate, a digital certificate with a faulty QR code, or handwritten names SAL cannot verify all stop the process. We pre-check the original first.
Company documents without notarisation
ACRA bizfile extracts, board resolutions and other private or company documents need a Notary Public before SAL. We add that step when required.
Chinese Translation and Apostille Services
Simplified Chinese translation
certified, with a translator's declaration
Notarised translation
by an appointed Notary Public (notarisation and apostille)
SAL authentication and apostille
we queue at the SAL counter for you
Apostille on the English original
when the office wants both versions
Company packs for China
ACRA bizfile, certificate of incorporation, board resolutions, passport copies of directors
Pickup and delivery
anywhere in Singapore
What Singapore Residents Use It For
Hukou and birth registration — a Singapore birth certificate for a child's registration in China. See birth certificate apostille for China.
Marriage — a Singapore marriage certificate from the Registry of Marriages (ROM) for registration or family matters in China. See marriage certificate apostille.
Work permits — degree certificates, transcripts, police certificates and employment letters for a work permit application in China.
Company setup (WFOE) — Singapore company documents for a wholly foreign-owned enterprise or a China bank account. See company documents apostille for China.
Chinese Translation and Apostille Price in Singapore
| Package | Best for | Our fee | Typical time |
|---|---|---|---|
| Translate + Notarise + Apostille | One personal document — birth, marriage or degree certificate | From SGD 199 + translation from SGD 29/page | 2–4 working days |
| Original + Chinese Translation Apostille | Office wants both the English original and the Chinese version legalised | From SGD 234 + translation from SGD 29/page | 2–4 working days |
| Company Pack for China | ACRA bizfile, board resolution and supporting documents for WFOE or bank | From SGD 249 per document (10% off 5+) | 1–3 working days |
The prices shown above are starting prices. Your final price depends on the document type, number of pages and destination country, and will be confirmed in a written quotation before any work begins.
Add-ons: Chinese translation from SGD 29 per page · pickup and delivery from SGD 25 per trip · extra apostilled copies from SGD 19 per copy
Government fees (paid at cost, set by SAL and the statutory notary scale): notarial certificate SGD 75 (+SGD 20 per extra party) · SAL authentication of a notarised document SGD 87.20 · apostille on a Singapore government document SGD 10.70 · apostille on an SAL-made copy SGD 11.77.
How to Get Chinese Translation and Apostille — 4 Steps
-
1
Send a photo
of your document on WhatsApp and tell us what it's for in China.
-
2
Get the exact steps and an all-in price
we confirm the order and translation format with you before you pay.
-
3
We translate into Simplified Chinese, notarise and take it to SAL.
-
4
Collect it or we deliver it
anywhere in Singapore, ready to send to China.
What to Send or Bring
- The original document — not laminated — or, for digital documents, the file and its QR code or verification link
- Your NRIC or passport, and your Chinese name as it should appear
- The list or notice from the office in China (hukou office, employer, bank or local authority)
- For companies: ACRA bizfile, director details and the board resolution, if any
Related China Services
Singapore document apostille for China · birth certificate apostille for China · company documents apostille for China · translation and apostille for other languages · ACRA bizfile apostille
Why Singapore Residents Choose Us
Right order, first time
translation, notary and SAL arranged in the sequence the office in China expects.
Names checked three ways
Chinese name, English name and passport spelling.
One contact for every step
translator, Notary Public, SAL counter and delivery.
Clear pricing
our fee, translation and SAL's fees listed separately, one total agreed upfront.
Samples of what you get back
In the order the documents are prepared — tap any sample to enlarge it.
Tap to enlarge
Tap to enlarge
Tap to enlargeWatermarked illustrations with fictitious details. Your real documents stay private.
What our clients say
4.9/5 from 18,000+ reviews
on WhatsApp, Google and Trustpilot
“I needed company documents legalised for use in China. There were several documents involved and I wasn't familiar with the process. They explained what needed to be done at each stage and kept me updated throughout.”
“Needed my birth certificate apostilled for use in India. I wasn't sure whether I needed to get anything notarised first, so I messaged them on WhatsApp. They explained the steps clearly and handled everything without any confusion.”
“Needed my degree certificate and transcript apostilled for an overseas job application. They checked the documents first and confirmed the process before starting. The final documents were returned neatly and within the agreed timeframe.”
“Needed a police certificate apostilled quite urgently for an overseas application. I asked about the same-day option and they confirmed the timing before I went ahead. Really appreciated the clear communication.”
“I needed several personal documents apostilled and didn't have time to arrange everything myself. The team explained the process and kept me updated until the documents were ready. Very convenient service.”
“My degree certificate needed legalisation for Indonesia. I was mainly worried about whether additional certification was required before the apostille. They checked the document and explained the correct process before proceeding.”
“I needed a single status certificate legalised for an overseas application. I had quite a few questions because it was my first time doing this. They were patient with the explanations and gave me a clear idea of the process.”
“I needed a certified true copy before proceeding with the legalisation of my documents. The appointment was straightforward and they explained what was being certified before completing the process. Very efficient service.”
“I booked a mobile notary because travelling to an office wasn't convenient for me. The appointment was arranged around my availability and everything was handled professionally. It saved me quite a bit of time.”
“My Malaysian documents needed to be legalised and I wasn't familiar with the Singapore procedure. They explained the difference between the steps clearly and checked the documents before proceeding. Very straightforward experience.”
“I needed my divorce certificate legalised for use abroad. I already had the original document but wasn't sure what authentication was required next. They explained the process step by step and made it much easier to understand.”
“I needed my A-Level certificate apostilled before sending it to a university overseas. The price and turnaround were explained before I confirmed the service. Everything was straightforward and I received the completed document as expected.”
“I needed an urgent apostille and had a fairly tight deadline. Before taking the order, they checked my document and confirmed whether the requested turnaround was possible. I appreciated the honest explanation about the timing.”
“I needed both translation and apostille for an overseas application. I initially thought I would have to arrange the two services separately. They explained the order of the steps and made the whole process much simpler.”
“My marriage certificate needed attestation for the UAE. I contacted them through WhatsApp because I had a few questions about the embassy requirements. The replies were quick and everything was explained in simple terms.”
“I had a power of attorney that needed notarisation before it could be used overseas. I wasn't familiar with the procedure, so their explanation over WhatsApp was really helpful. Everything was handled in the order they explained.”
“My documents had already been notarised but still needed authentication. I wasn't sure what the next step was, so I sent them a copy through WhatsApp. They checked everything and explained what was still required.”
“I needed my documents apostilled for the Philippines and had no idea where to start. They explained the process clearly and confirmed what I needed before taking the documents. The whole experience was much easier than I expected.”
“I needed several documents attested for Qatar and wasn't familiar with the embassy process. They went through the documents with me and explained which steps were required. Communication was clear from beginning to end.”
“My father's death certificate needed to be legalised for use overseas. It was a sensitive family matter, so I appreciated how professionally the documents were handled. The process was explained clearly and there was no unnecessary back and forth.”
“I had several company documents that needed to be prepared for use overseas. They checked the paperwork before starting and explained what needed to be completed first. The documents were handled professionally and returned as agreed.”
“I needed my documents attested for Kuwait and wasn't sure which certificates needed to be included. The team went through everything with me before I started. The process was organised and I always knew what stage the documents were at.”
“I needed my power of attorney notarised for an overseas property transaction. They explained what I needed to prepare beforehand, which made the appointment much easier. The document was handled carefully and professionally.”
“My O-Level certificates needed apostilling for an overseas education application. I wasn't sure whether the older certificates could still be processed, so I sent them over for checking first. They confirmed what was needed and handled the rest.”
“I had documents from Vietnam that needed to be legalised for use in Singapore. I wasn't sure about the terminology and kept confusing attestation with legalisation. They explained the difference clearly and told me what stage my documents needed.”
Chinese Translation and Apostille — FAQs
Do I still need the Chinese embassy in Singapore to legalise my documents?
Does SAL translate documents into Chinese?
Can I get my Singapore birth certificate translated and apostilled for hukou?
Will China accept a Chinese translation done in Singapore?
Simplified or Traditional Chinese — which do I need for China?
How much does Chinese translation and apostille cost in Singapore?
Which company documents are needed to set up a WFOE in China?
Are you the Singapore Academy of Law?
Get Your Documents Ready for China
Send a photo on WhatsApp and tell us what it's for in China — we'll reply with the exact steps and an all-in price.
Mon–Fri 9 am – 9 pm · Sat–Sun 10 am – 6 pm 7 Temasek Boulevard, #12-07 Suntec Tower One, Singapore 038987