Sworn translation standardVerified June 2026

Document Translation Requirements in Malaysia

Official bodies in Malaysia generally require a sworn translation of foreign-language documents, and many documents also need an apostille or legalization before they are translated. Below: who can translate, when an apostille is needed, and where the official rules are published.

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Malaysia requirements at a glance

Translation standard	Sworn translation (Sworn/Licensed)
Who can translate	Translator recognised by Malaysian courts or professional translator whose work is attested
Apostille	No — Malaysia is not a Hague Apostille Convention member. Foreign public documents generally require consular/legalisation followed by Ministry of Foreign Affairs attestation.
Accepted languages	English or Bahasa Malaysia (Malay)
Responsible authority	Ministry of Foreign Affairs – attestation services

Important: Malaysia does not operate a single national registry of sworn translators. Translation requirements depend on the receiving authority and whether a certification or attestation step is mandated.

Who can translate documents for use in Malaysia?

Malaysia does not licence translators at the federal level. However, for official purposes:

Courts often maintain lists of approved translators/interpreters whose translations are accepted for judicial proceedings — details are available from the Malaysian Judiciary.

For administrative, visa, or civil matters, a translation prepared by a professional translator should be accompanied by an attestation (e.g., before a Commissioner for Oaths).

What makes a translation official in Malaysia?

An official translation in Malaysia should include:

A signed statement confirming the translation is a true and accurate rendering

The translator’s full name and contact details

Commissioner for Oaths attestation (if required by the receiving authority)

Courts and government agencies may require the translator to be on a recognised court panel or to have the translation formally attested. Always check the specific authority’s requirements.

How does Malaysia treat documents from abroad?

According to the Malaysian Ministry of Foreign Affairs, public documents issued abroad **must first be legalised/attested** before they can be used in Malaysia. Documents in a language other than English or Malay must be translated into English or Malay and the translation must be certified before attestation. Official guidance on translation and attestation is available from the Ministry of Foreign Affairs here: Ministry of Foreign Affairs – Attestation of Documents

Notes

Malaysia’s approach differs from formal civil-law sworn translator systems found in some countries. It relies on court panels, Commission for Oaths certifications, and institutional discretion (e.g., immigration, universities, courts).

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Translating Malaysian documents for the U.S.?

Malaysian birth certificates, diplomas, and transcripts submitted to USCIS, universities, or credential evaluators need a certified English translation — that is exactly what we do, with a 100% USCIS acceptance guarantee.

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Sending U.S. documents to Malaysia?

U.S.-issued documents usually need an apostille before they can be used in Malaysia — and the apostille should be obtained before the translation, so the certificate itself gets translated too. We offer e-apostille processing as an add-on to any order.

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Malaysia translation requirements — FAQ

What type of translation does Malaysia require?

Malaysia follows the sworn translation standard for official documents. Translations should be completed by: translator recognised by malaysian courts or professional translator whose work is attested.

Is an apostille required for foreign documents in Malaysia?

No — Malaysia is not a Hague Apostille Convention member. Foreign public documents generally require consular/legalisation followed by Ministry of Foreign Affairs attestation.

What languages do Malaysian authorities accept?

Official authorities in Malaysia accept documents in: English or Bahasa Malaysia (Malay). Documents in any other language need a sworn translation before submission.

Can CertTranslate help with documents for Malaysia?

If you are submitting Malaysian documents to U.S. authorities (USCIS, universities, credential evaluators), yes — our certified translations are accepted nationwide. For official use inside Malaysia, authorities usually require a translator sworn or registered locally — use the official registry linked on this page. We can also advise on apostille requirements for U.S.-issued documents.

Requirements in related countries

Neighbors and countries with a similar translation standard.

Australia China Indonesia India New Zealand Singapore View all countries on the map

Sources

Ministry of Foreign Affairs – Attestation of DocumentsOfficial guidelines

Information verified against official sources. Last verified June 2026.

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