When you submit documents to the Immigration & Checkpoints Authority (ICA) in Singapore, every paper must be in English. If your original documents are in another language, ICA will ask for a certified English translation. This rule is the same for everyone — whether you are applying for Permanent Residency (PR), Citizenship, Student Pass, Dependant Pass, or Long-Term Visit Pass (LTVP).
This blog clearly explains which documents commonly require official translation for ICA, why translation is important, and how you can prepare your documents correctly. It also helps you understand how a professional ICA translation service like ours can save your time, effort, and risk of rejection.
Get Your ICA Translation Done the Right Way
Need your documents accepted by ICA? We provide fast and reliable translation services that meet all ICA rules. Every document is carefully checked and certified, so you never face rejection or delay.
Now let’s look at the documents that usually need certified English translation before submission to ICA.
This is one of the most common documents requiring translation. If your birth certificate is not in English, ICA will ask for a certified English version.
Who needs it:
Important points:
If you are married and your marriage certificate is in another language, it must be translated. ICA often requests this when you are applying as a spouse of a Singapore citizen or PR, or for dependent passes.
Why it’s important:
If you are divorced and the certificate is not in English, a certified translation is required. ICA needs this to verify your current marital status.
Include in translation:
If your school certificates, diplomas, or university transcripts are in a non-English language, ICA requires certified translations. These are needed for PR, employment passes, or student-related applications.
Examples:
A professional translation service ensures all academic grades, course names, and signatures appear exactly as in the original.
Simple & Official Malay to English Translation
Our Malay to English translation is 100% official and accepted by ICA and other offices. We make the process quick, clear, and stress-free. Your document will be ready exactly when you need it.
ICA may ask for employment-related documents if you are applying for PR, Work Pass, or LTVP. If they are not in English, translation is mandatory.
Documents include:
Your translation should clearly show company names, job positions, and dates of employment exactly as they appear in the original.
Also read this:- How Much Does It Cost to Get Your ICA Documents Translated and Notarized in Singapore?
When ICA requests background checks or police clearance certificates from your home country, they must be translated if not in English.
Why required:
To verify your legal record and eligibility for immigration.
Certified translation ensures the document’s content is accepted by ICA without question.
If you have legally changed your name, ICA will require proof of it. If your deed poll, name change certificate, or gazette notice is not in English, it must be translated and certified.
This helps ICA confirm that your old and new names belong to the same person.
If you or your child is adopted, the adoption papers must be submitted to ICA. When these are in another language, an English translation is mandatory.
Certified translation ensures the legal details about the adoption are presented accurately.
When registering a family death or updating personal records with ICA, non-English death certificates must be translated and certified.
This is often required for family record updates, estate processing, or dependent applications.
In some countries, family details are recorded in a family or household register. ICA often asks for this document to verify family relationships.
If it’s not in English, translation is required for every name, date, and relationship term mentioned.
Trusted Document Translation Services in Singapore
We help people and businesses with all types of document translations in Singapore. From birth certificates to legal papers, every translation is accurate, certified, and done by trusted professionals.
Sometimes ICA may need translated copies of:
A certified translation ensures that personal identification details are correctly reflected in English.
If you submit a document in another language without a certified English translation:
That’s why it’s important to use a reliable ICA-approved translation service to ensure all requirements are met before you submit.
Here’s a simple checklist before sending your documents for certified translation:
Following this process helps avoid unnecessary errors and ensures your documents meet ICA’s exact standards.
Accurate English to Chinese Translation in Singapore
If you need an English to Chinese translation in Singapore, you can count on us. Our expert translators ensure your documents are clear, accurate, and accepted for any official or business purpose.
Preparing documents for ICA submission can be stressful if they’re in another language. But with certified translation, you can avoid all confusion. The key is to identify which documents need translation — such as birth, marriage, academic, or legal papers — and get them translated by a trusted ICA translation service.
At ICA Translation Services Singapore, we handle everything from translation to notarial certification, so your documents are ready for ICA submission without delay. You can trust our experienced translators to ensure your paperwork is accurate, complete, and officially accepted.
If you want your ICA submission to go smoothly, contact us today for fast, professional, and certified translation services in Singapore.
Ans. The cost of ICA document translation in Singapore usually starts from SGD 30 to SGD 80 per page, depending on the document type, language pair, and certification needs. Prices can increase if notarization or embassy attestation is required. Always confirm the exact rate before submitting your documents for ICA purposes.
Ans. Different documents require different levels of detail. A simple birth certificate is cheaper to translate than complex legal or academic papers. Language rarity and formatting needs also affect cost. Certified translations verified by a notary or embassy add extra charges for compliance with ICA standards.
Ans. The standard translation fee covers accurate translation by a certified translator, proofreading, and formatting to match ICA submission rules. If you request notary or embassy certification, that incurs separate costs. Always check if your quote includes certification and a signed translator’s statement of accuracy.
Ans. Yes, notarization and embassy attestation are not included in the base translation cost. Notary public fees can range from SGD 60 to SGD 120, and embassy fees vary depending on the country. These steps ensure your document is legally recognized by ICA, so they are worth the additional cost.
Ans. Many translation agencies offer discounts for bulk translations. For example, if you are submitting multiple family documents like birth, marriage, and education certificates for ICA, you may get a package deal or reduced per-page rate. Always ask your translator about available promotions before placing your order.
Ans. Ensure your translation includes the translator’s or agency’s certification, their official stamp or letterhead, and a signed declaration of accuracy. The translation must be complete, accurate, and in clear English. Our ICA-approved translators ensure your documents are always accepted.
Ans. Yes, most agencies offer express or same-day translation services for urgent ICA submissions. However, urgent translation usually costs 20–40% more than standard service. If you’re in a hurry, mention your ICA deadline when requesting a quote so the team can prioritise your translation.
Complete Certified & Notary Public Services
Save time and get both certified translation and notary public services in one place. We handle everything smoothly so your documents are ready for use anywhere in Singapore.
Ans. No. ICA does not accept self-translations. All translations must be completed by a certified translator, notary public, or embassy. A self-made translation is considered invalid and can lead to rejection or delays in your ICA application. Always use an approved professional service.
Ans. To reduce costs, prepare all documents together, use one translation provider, and ask for a bulk quote. Avoid last-minute requests that need express fees. Choose our trusted ICA translation service in Singapore that offers fair rates, transparent pricing, and all-in-one certification support.
Ans. If the translation is incomplete or uncertified, ICA may reject or delay your application. You’ll then need to redo the translation properly, adding extra cost and time. Always verify with your translator that the document meets ICA’s certified translation requirements before submission.
Ans. No, translation costs vary by language. Common languages like Malay, Chinese, and Tamil are usually cheaper, while less common ones like Russian or Arabic cost more due to limited certified translators. The more rare the language, the higher the per-page rate for ICA compliance.
Ans. A simple one-page document typically takes 1–2 working days. Larger sets or documents needing notarized translation may take 3–5 days. Always plan early—delays often occur when you need multiple certifications. Many agencies offer priority services for urgent ICA deadlines.
Ans. Yes. ICA requires both the original document and the certified English translation. The translation must include every stamp, signature, and note from the original. Always keep both copies together and present them when requested to avoid confusion during your ICA verification process.
Ans. In most cases, ICA requires hard copies of both the original and certified translation. However, some online applications may allow scanned certified PDFs. Always check your specific ICA submission instructions or ask your translator to provide both digital and printed certified versions.
