Quick answer
Do You Need Translation and Apostille in Singapore?
You need translation and apostille in Singapore when the receiving country wants your document in a language other than English, because the Singapore Academy of Law (SAL) does not translate. Every document SAL legalises must be in English, or bilingual with English. So a Chinese, Arabic, Vietnamese, Korean or other translation has to be arranged separately, before the SAL step.
Where the receiving authority accepts a Singapore translation, the route is: certified translation with a translator's declaration → notarisation by a Notary Public → SAL authentication and apostille. If the destination is not part of the Hague Apostille Convention, the document then goes to that country's embassy in Singapore for embassy attestation in Singapore.
Your receiving authority may want the translation done in the destination country instead. Before you order, confirm with the receiving authority — or send us their checklist and we check it with you.
Why Translated Documents Get Rejected or Redone
The steps were done in the wrong order
If the original is apostilled first and translated afterwards, the translation itself carries no Singapore certification. Depending on what the recipient wants, that can mean starting again. We set the order before anything is signed.
The translation is not certified
A plain translation cannot be notarised. The translator's declaration is what lets a Notary Public certify it, and what SAL then authenticates.
Names don't match
A name spelled differently from your passport can lead to a translated document being queried overseas. We translate the name as in your passport and check every date and number against the original.
The recipient wanted a local translation
Your receiving authority may only accept translations made in its own country. We tell you to confirm this first, so you don't pay for a translation you can't use.
The original isn't ready for SAL
Laminated certificates, digital documents with a faulty QR code, or handwritten names SAL cannot verify all stop the process. We pre-check the original before the translator starts.
Our Translation and Apostille Service
Certified translation
into the target language, with a translator's declaration, names as in your passport
Notarisation
the translation is notarised by an appointed Notary Public (notarisation and apostille)
SAL authentication and apostille
we queue at the SAL counter and collect for you
Embassy attestation
added for non-Hague countries, after SAL
Apostille on the original
if the recipient wants both the original and the translation legalised
Pickup and delivery
anywhere in Singapore
Popular language routes: Chinese translation and apostille for China · Arabic translation and attestation for the Gulf
Translation and Apostille Price in Singapore
| Package | Best for | Our fee | Typical time |
|---|---|---|---|
| Translate + Notarise + Apostille | One document for a Hague Convention country | From SGD 199 + translation from SGD 39/page | 2–4 working days |
| Original + Translation Apostille | Recipient wants both the original and the translation legalised | From SGD 234 + translation from SGD 39/page | 2–4 working days |
| Translation + Apostille + Embassy | Non-Hague countries such as the UAE or Qatar | From SGD 234 + translation from SGD 39/page + embassy fee | 5–10 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: 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 Translation and Apostille Works — 4 Steps
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1
Send a photo
of your document on WhatsApp, with the country and the language it needs.
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2
Get the exact order of steps and an all-in price
we confirm with you whether the recipient accepts a Singapore translation before you pay.
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3
We translate, notarise and take it to SAL
and to the embassy if the country needs it.
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4
Collect it or we deliver it
anywhere in Singapore.
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, so names are translated exactly as in your passport
- The checklist or email from the authority, university, bank or employer receiving it — especially anything it says about translation
- The target language (and script, e.g. Simplified Chinese) and how many copies you need
Documents We Translate and Apostille
Personal: birth certificate apostille · marriage certificate apostille · divorce certificate apostille · death certificate apostille · police certificate apostille · single status certificate · birth certificate apostille for China
Education: degree certificate apostille · transcripts · school certificate apostille
Company and legal: company document apostille · company documents apostille for China · employment letter apostille · power of attorney · court order apostille
Destinations: apostille for China · apostille for Vietnam · apostille for Indonesia · apostille for South Korea · apostille for Japan · apostille for Saudi Arabia · UAE embassy attestation · Egypt embassy attestation · Thailand embassy legalisation
Why Singapore Residents Choose Us
The right order, first time
we fix the sequence of translation, notary and SAL before any step starts.
One contact for every step
translator, Notary Public, SAL counter, embassy and delivery.
Names checked against your passport
checked before notarisation.
Clear pricing
our fee, the 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 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.”
“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 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.”
“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.”
“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.”
Translation and Apostille — FAQs
Does SAL translate documents in Singapore?
Should I apostille the original or the translation?
What is a notarised translation for overseas use?
Can a translation done in Singapore be used in China or the UAE?
How much does translation and apostille cost in Singapore?
What happens if the order of steps is wrong?
Does the destination country need embassy attestation as well?
Are you the Singapore Academy of Law?
Get Your Document Translated and Apostilled — In the Right Order
Send a photo on WhatsApp with the country and language — 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