A birth certificate is one of the most commonly translated documents in Singapore — it's needed for PR and citizenship applications, dependant's passes, marriage registration and school enrolment. If yours is in Chinese, Malay, Tamil, or any language other than English, you'll need it translated. For ICA PR, citizenship and long-term visit pass (LTVP) applications, ICA requires the translation to be notarised or issued or attested by the issuing country's embassy, not just certified. Here's exactly what's involved.
When you need it
- ICA — PR, citizenship and long-term visit pass (LTVP) applications (translation must be notarised or issued/attested by the issuing embassy).
- ROM / ROMM — as a supporting document for marriage registration.
- Schools & MOE — for enrolment and student pass applications.
- Overseas use — where it may also need notarisation and an apostille.
What "certified" means here
The translation must be complete — every field, stamp and seal translated, not just the main details — and accompanied by a signed certification statement confirming it's a true and accurate rendering of the original. Make sure names and dates match exactly how they appear on your other documents, as small mismatches are a common cause of follow-up queries.
Tip: send a clear scan or phone photo of the whole certificate, including any stamps on the reverse. If anything is illegible we'll ask before starting.
Cost and turnaround
A standard single-page birth certificate is a flat fee from around S$68, usually delivered the same or next working day. If your application also needs notarisation or an apostille (for overseas use), those are added as separate, clearly-listed line items and quoted upfront.
How to order
- Photograph or scan the birth certificate clearly.
- Get an instant quote — we'll confirm whether you need certification only, or certification plus notarisation.
- Receive your certified translation by email; hard copies by courier or collection if needed.