Submitting a foreign-language document in Singapore, or sending a Singaporean document abroad? Start with the direction: the translation, certification, and apostille rules are not the same.
Requirements reviewed by Michael Chen
Lead Immigration Document Translator · Last verified June 2026
Reviewed June 2026 · Michael Chen
Singapore follows a certified-translation standard: a document not in English needs a certified translation by a competent professional translator with a signed statement of accuracy. The ICA, universities, and the courts accept this. Singapore joined the Hague Apostille Convention on 16 September 2021, so a Singapore document used abroad is apostilled by the Singapore Academy of Law (SAL) — replacing the old notarization-and-legalization chain.
Confirm final requirements with the authority receiving the document.
Need a certified English translation?
From $24.95/page · signed certification included
Quick reference
Confirm final requirements with the authority receiving the document.
| Translation standard | Certified translation |
|---|---|
| Who can translate | Any competent professional translator providing a signed certification of accuracy |
| Apostille | When the receiving authority requires authentication; separate from translation |
| Apostille authority | The Singapore Academy of Law (SAL), Singapore's designated competent authority. |
| Accepted languages | English (official working language of government) |
| Responsible authority | Singapore Academy of Law (SAL) (apostille for Singapore documents used abroad) |
Official-use requirements
The local certification system, who may translate, and what gives the finished document legal effect.
Cross-border authentication
Singapore is part of the Hague Apostille Convention (since 2021), so public documents are authenticated with a single apostille — no consular legalization.
From Singapore
The Singapore Academy of Law (SAL), Singapore's designated competent authority.The Convention entered into force for Singapore on 16 September 2021.
Toward Singapore
A U.S. document going to Singapore is apostilled in the United States — the state Secretary of State, or the U.S. Department of State for federal documents — and, since 16 September 2021, Singapore accepts the apostille in place of consular legalization.
When the receiving authority requires an apostille on the original, obtain it before translation so the apostille certificate can be translated too. See how apostilles work, or order a certified translation.
Submission checklist
A Singapore document can carry Chinese, Malay, or Tamil text; those portions need a certified English translation.
It must confirm the translation is complete and accurate and identify the translator.
File them with the ICA, the university, or the court.
Ready to get your documents translated?
Certified for USCIS, universities, and credential evaluators — from $24.95/page.
Two directions, two rulebooks
Choose the destination first. It determines the language, certification, and whether an apostille belongs in the packet.
Authorities in Singapore accept certified English translations with a signed Certificate of Accuracy. We translate from 65+ languages with 24-hour delivery.
A U.S. document going to Singapore is apostilled in the United States — the state Secretary of State, or the U.S. Department of State for federal documents — and, since 16 September 2021, Singapore accepts the apostille in place of consular legalization.
Common document types
The document types we certify most often — each with its own pricing and requirements page.
Avoid preventable delays
The mistakes we see most often on Singaporean documents — and what a correct certified translation does instead.
A Singapore certificate can include Chinese, Malay, or Tamil; leaving those portions untranslated makes the certified translation incomplete.
The translation must carry a signed statement identifying the translator and confirming accuracy.
The whole document, including seals, must be rendered.
Clear per-page pricing
A one-page certificate is priced as a single page; multi-page records are priced by their page count. Standard translation delivery is 24 hours for most 1–3 page orders. Notarization, hard-copy mailing, and apostille service are priced separately because their timelines differ.
Certified translation from
One physical source page, any length.
Start my translation See all pricing and add-onsQuestions people ask before submitting
A certified translation by a competent professional translator, with a signed statement of accuracy. Singapore has no sworn-translator system, so a US-style certified translation is accepted.
what a certified translation isYes. The Apostille Convention entered into force for Singapore on 16 September 2021. Singapore documents used abroad are apostilled by the Singapore Academy of Law (SAL), replacing the old legalization chain.
how apostilles workThe Singapore Academy of Law (SAL), Singapore's designated competent authority since September 2021.
requirements for other countriesWe translate from 60+ languages into English, each with a signed certification, for the ICA, Singapore universities, and the courts.
languages we translateGenerally no — a signed certification is enough for most bodies. Notarization is available as an add-on if a specific office requests it.
certified vs notarizedPricing is per page. A one-page certificate is a single page; multi-page records are priced by page count.
see live pricingNo. The translation must come from an independent professional translator and be certified.
what a certified translation isInformation verified against official sources. Last verified June 2026.
