Chinese Translation Services in Singapore
Looking for Chinese translation services in Singapore? We translate Chinese to English for ICA, MOM, the Traffic Police, the courts and schools, and English to Chinese for offices, banks and companies in China, Hong Kong and Taiwan. We work in Simplified and Traditional Chinese, and we match every name to the passport. For ICA files, we also arrange the Notary Public and the SAL step.
Quick answer: A certified Chinese translation starts from S$40 a page and takes 24 to 48 hours. The ICA version (translation + notary + SAL) starts from S$202.20 for a 1-page document and usually takes 3 to 7 working days. Need it fast? Send a short document before 11am on a weekday for same-day translation. The notary and SAL steps then add a few working days.
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Chinese Translation for ICA, MOM or China: Certified, Notarised or Apostilled?
The office that reads your paper decides the route, not the language. Most MOM, Traffic Police, school and bank files take a certified translation. ICA files need card 2. Papers going to China, Hong Kong or Taiwan need card 3.
1. Certified Translation
- Who signs it: Our translator and our company, with a signed and dated statement that the translation is complete and correct.
- Used for: MOM work passes and Dependant's Pass, Traffic Police licence conversion, schools, banks, insurers and employers.
- Time: 24 to 48 hours.
- From: S$40 per page.
2. Notarised Translation (for ICA)
- Who signs it: A Notary Public in Singapore (a senior lawyer), who notarises our certified translation.
- Used for: ICA PR, citizenship, LTVP and Student's Pass files, and any office that asks for a notarised copy.
- Time: 3 to 7 working days.
- From: S$202.20 for a 1-page document (S$40 translation + S$75 notary + S$87.20 SAL).
3. Going to China, Hong Kong or Taiwan
- Who signs it: The Notary Public, then SAL, and for Taiwan the Taiwan office in Singapore too.
- Used for: Singapore papers translated into Chinese for a court, bank, tax office or school in China, Hong Kong, Macao or Taiwan.
- From: Included with notarisation; Taiwan office fee quoted on request.
One thing we will always tell you straight
The English translation is the same whether your paper is in Simplified or Traditional Chinese, so you never pay twice for "a Traditional version". The script only matters when we translate into Chinese: Simplified for mainland China and Singapore, Traditional for Taiwan, Hong Kong and Macao. And if a notary office (公证处) in China has already given you a notarial certificate (公证书) with an English translation, ICA accepts a translation by a notary in the country that issued the paper. You may not need us at all. Send us a photo and we tell you honestly.
English to Chinese and Chinese to English Translation in Singapore
We work in both directions, and the person who translates is a native Chinese speaker who writes the target language well. Chinese to English: papers from mainland China, Hong Kong, Macao and Taiwan, old or new, typed or handwritten, for any Singapore office. English to Chinese: Singapore papers for China, Hong Kong or Taiwan, in Simplified or Traditional script, as the reader needs. Names: mainland papers use Pinyin, but Hong Kong and Taiwan passports often use other spellings (for example "Chan" or "Hsu"). We copy the spelling in your passport, never a new one. Mixed files: chats that mix Chinese, English and Singlish are translated line by line, with the English kept as written. Audio: Mandarin, Cantonese and Hokkien recordings are first written down, then translated. See our transcription services page.
Also: Simplified, Traditional, Mandarin, Cantonese, Hokkien, mixed Chinese, English and Singlish chats
Some papers carry old Traditional characters, a 繁体 seal on a mainland paper, or a faded stamp. We translate every seal, stamp and side note, and we mark anything that cannot be read rather than guess it.
Chinese Documents We Translate, From and Into Chinese
Each document has its own page with the full route and price. Several documents? Send them together for one bundled quote.
Chinese to English: Family Papers
Chinese birth certificate translation (出生医学证明 and older notarial birth certificates), household register (hukou) translation (户口簿, every page), marriage certificate translation (结婚证) and divorce certificate translation (离婚证 and divorce agreements).
Chinese to English: ID, Licence and Money
Identity card translation (居民身份证 and Taiwan or Hong Kong ID cards), Chinese driving licence translation (驾驶证, for the Traffic Police), bank statement translation and payslip translation.
Chinese to English: Study, Work and Court
Degree and transcript translation (毕业证书, 学位证书), and CSSD or CSCSE reports for an Employment Pass. Chats, letters and evidence for court document translation.
English to Chinese
ACRA documents, such as a Business Profile for a Chinese bank or platform. Contracts and service agreements, see legal translation. Letters and statements for a tax office, bank or government office in China. A Singapore passport, Certificate of Clearance or school papers for use in China, see apostille services.
Chinese to English Translation From Overseas: Upload, Pay, Courier
Four simple steps, from your photos to a set that is ready to use.
Send clear photos or scans
Include the back of each page, all seals and the small print. Add a photo of the passport page so we can match the spelling. Tell us the office and, for English to Chinese, whether the reader wants Simplified or Traditional.
Get a fixed quote within an hour
We reply with an itemised price and tell you whether you need the notary and SAL steps or not.
Human translation and a second check
A native Chinese translator does the work. A second person checks every name, date, number and seal against the original.
Delivery in the right format
Certified: a signed PDF, with a paper copy on request. Notarised: one PDF of the full set (copy of the original, translation, notarial certificate and SAL certificate) ready to upload, plus the signed paper set. Courier for a small fee, or collect from our office.
Why Clients Trust Us With Chinese Translation
What you get with every Chinese translation we do.
Native Chinese Translators
Real people who read both scripts and write natural English or Chinese. We do not claim credentials we cannot show.
Names, Dates and Numbers Checked Twice
A second person checks every Pinyin name against your passport, and every date, ID number and figure against the original.
Your Papers Stay Private
Your files are seen only by the people working on them. We do not paste them into public AI tools.
Honest Timelines
Certified translation takes 24 to 48 hours. With the notary and SAL steps, allow 3 to 7 working days. We tell you the real date, not a nice one.
A Typical Job: Three Chinese ID Cards Translated and Notarised for an MOE Tuition Grant
A family in Singapore needed the Chinese ID cards (居民身份证) of three people in English for an MOE Tuition Grant application. They sent one photo first, then the other two cards.
Chinese ID Card Translation
Original
Three Chinese ID cards (居民身份证), sent as photos, front and back.
What the client needed
Family applying for an MOE Tuition Grant
- The client's list asked for notarised translations.
- The cards came in one at a time: one photo first, then the other two.
What we did
We checked the list before we quoted
- We checked the client's list before we quoted, rather than adding the notary step by habit.
- We matched each Pinyin name and ID number to the passports.
- We translated the address and the issuing police office on the back.
- A second person checked every digit.
- The certified translations were ready first, and the notary and SAL steps followed.
How Much Does Chinese Translation Cost in Singapore?
You get a fixed price before we start. Personal papers are priced per page. Long business files are priced per word. Several documents? Send them together for one bundled quote with an itemised breakdown.
Certified Translation
24-48 hrsStarting from
- Chinese to English or English to Chinese
- Simplified or Traditional at the same price
- Signed PDF, paper copy on request
Notarised for ICA
3-7 daysStarting from, 1-page document, notary + SAL included
- Includes the notary fee (S$75) and the SAL fee (S$87.20)
- +S$40 for each extra page
- PDF for upload plus the signed paper set
Long Files (per word)
QuotedStarting from
- Contracts, reports, websites and company papers
- Repeated text counted once
- Same-day translation of a short document: +S$20 a page, if sent before 11am on a weekday. The notary and SAL steps still take a few working days.
Worked example: a citizenship set (from a real enquiry). An applicant needs a 1-page Chinese birth certificate and a 4-page household register translated for a citizenship file, both notarised. Birth certificate, notarised: S$202.20. Household register, notarised: S$202.20 + 3 extra pages × S$40 = S$322.20. Total: from S$524.40, ready in 3 to 7 working days. This assumes each document gets its own notarial certificate and SAL apostille. Your quote shows the exact count before you pay. Mandarin, Cantonese and Hokkien are standard for us. Very old handwritten records, classical Chinese and badly faded papers may cost more or take longer, and we tell you before we start.
What Clients Say About Our Chinese Translation
Here is what clients said after we translated their Chinese papers.
Real Client Experiences
Swipe to read more success stories
Midnight ICA Upload Stress
"Panicked about ICA upload, I searched Chinese translation services at night. They replied fast on WhatsApp. My birth certificate translation was clear and accepted next morning without issue."
Smooth PR Paperwork Help
"While preparing PR papers, I needed trusted Mandarin translation services in Singapore. Team checked every name detail carefully. ICA portal upload went smoothly. Price felt fair and service was polite."
Clear Business Letter Support
"Running a small shop, I required English to Chinese translations for supplier letter. They kept meaning simple and correct. My China partner understood everything clearly."
Fast Fix Before Embassy Visit
"Luckily I found professional Chinese document translation agency before embassy visit. My marriage certificate translation was neat and easy to read. Staff explained submission steps kindly."
Work Pass Renewal Relief
"During work pass renewal, MOM asked for English bank statement. I used this certified Chinese translation service. Translation matched numbers exactly. Approval came without delay."
University Deadline Saved
"Before school submission, I needed academic transcript translated. This Chinese to English translation Singapore team delivered quickly. My university accepted it without question. Process was easy online."
Clear Contract Translation
"Honestly, I worried about business contract wording. Their English to Mandarin translation kept every clause simple and correct. Both sides signed with confidence."
Quick Medical Report Help
"Yesterday hospital gave me report in Chinese. For insurance claim, I needed English copy fast. Your Singapore team handled it calmly and accurately."
Corrected and Reapproved
"Earlier translation had small name mistake. But they corrected carefully and ICA accepted resubmission without issue."
Easy WhatsApp Submission
"Through WhatsApp, I sent my documents for Mandarin document translation. No office visit needed. Files came back neat and ready for upload. Very smooth experience."
Other Chinese Documents and Guides
Most Chinese files have more than one paper. We run the set as one job, so every name is spelt the same way on every page.
Helpful guides
Several Documents? One Bundled Quote
Send them together for one bundled quote with an itemised breakdown.
Common Questions About Chinese Translation
Short, direct answers to the questions clients ask us most.
FAQ Group
Does ICA or MOM accept a certified Chinese translation?
MOM does. MOM asks for the original plus an English translation uploaded as one file, and a certified translation by a translation company is enough. ICA is stricter. It accepts an embassy translation, a notary's translation, or a private translation that is notarised or embassy-attested. So for ICA, plan for a notarised translation. We do both in one order.
How much does Chinese translation cost in Singapore?
A certified Chinese translation starts at S$40 a page, in either direction and either script. The ICA version, with notary and SAL, starts at S$202.20 for a 1-page document, and each extra page adds S$40. Long business files start at S$0.15 a word. Send us your file and we give you a fixed, itemised price within an hour.
Do I need SAL authentication or an apostille?
Not as a separate step. When a Singapore notary signs your translation, SAL must authenticate it, and since 16 September 2021 it does this with an apostille. The S$87.20 fee is in our notarised price. That apostille is also what mainland China, Hong Kong and Macao accept. Only Taiwan needs an extra check by its office in Singapore.
My deadline is in a few days. Can you still help?
Often, yes. A short Chinese document sent before 11am on a weekday can be translated the same day for S$20 more a page. The notary and SAL steps depend on their diaries and usually add a few working days. Message us on WhatsApp with your date, and we tell you honestly whether it is possible.
Do I get a PDF and a paper copy? Do you need my original?
A clear photo or scan is enough to start, and your original stays with you. A certified translation comes as a signed PDF, with paper on request. A notarised set is made on paper, because the notary signs a physical page, and you also get a PDF of the full set to upload. Collect it from our office, or we courier it for a small fee.
Can you translate into Traditional Chinese for Taiwan or Hong Kong?
Yes. We translate into Traditional Chinese for Taiwan, Hong Kong and Macao, and into Simplified Chinese for mainland China and Singapore. The price is the same. For Taiwan, we also tell you the extra office step, because Taiwan is not in the Apostille Convention. For English translations of Chinese papers, the script does not change the price.
My name in Pinyin is spelt differently from my passport. What do you do?
We use the spelling in your passport, because that is what the officer checks. If two of your papers spell a name in different ways, or a Hong Kong or Taiwan name uses an older spelling, we add a short translator's note so the officer sees one person, not two. Send a passport photo with your file.
I already have a 公证书 from China with an English translation. Do I still need you?
Maybe not. ICA accepts a translation made by a notary in the country that issued the paper. If your notarial certificate from China includes an English translation, check that it covers every page and seal. Send us a photo and we tell you honestly whether anything is missing before you pay for a new one.
My paper was translated by someone else. Can you just notarise it?
We do not sign or certify a translation we did not make, and a notary will not notarise a translation unless a translator stands behind it. We can check the existing translation against the original and tell you what needs fixing. Often it is quicker to translate it fresh, and we quote both options.
Can you translate WhatsApp or WeChat chats in Chinese for court?
Yes. We translate every message, including the English and Singlish parts, keep the time stamps and speaker names, and lay it out page by page. For the Singapore courts and tribunals, a translation usually needs a translator's affidavit sworn before a commissioner for oaths. See our court document translation page for the route.
Get Your Chinese Translation Done the Right Way
Send a photo of your paper, tell us who will read it and whether you need Simplified or Traditional, and get a fixed, itemised price within an hour.