Quick answer: Translation services in Singapore are usually priced per page for certificates and per word for long texts. Our published rates start at S$40 a page for a certified translation of a birth, marriage or other certificate. Business and legal texts start at about S$0.15 to S$0.18 a word. A translation that is also notarised for ICA starts at about S$120 per document, and SAL adds S$87.20 if it needs an apostille.
These are starting prices. The exact quote depends on the language, the page count, the deadline and any notary step. This guide shows typical rates, what changes the price and how to spot a fair quote.
Translation Services in Singapore: Rates for 2026
These are the starting rates on our own price pages, checked in October 2026. Rare languages are quoted on request.
| Service | Starting price | Usual time |
|---|
| Certified translation of a certificate | S$40 per page | 24 to 48 hours |
| Indonesian personal papers | S$45 per page | 2 to 3 working days |
| Academic papers, such as transcripts | S$40 per page | Quoted with the job |
| Medical or business papers | S$45 per page | Quoted with the job |
| Long business or technical text | S$0.15 to S$0.18 per word | Depends on length |
| Certified and notarised translation | S$120 per document, SAL fee extra | 3 to 7 working days |
| Same-day or urgent work | From S$20 extra | 12 to 24 hours |
| Notarial certificate | S$75 per document | Part of the notary step |
Birth certificate translation cost
What is the cost of birth certificate translation in Singapore? A certified translation starts at S$40 a page. If ICA needs it notarised, it starts at about S$120 per document. Add S$87.20 only if it must go abroad with an apostille.
Chinese translation cost
A Chinese certificate or transcript starts at S$40 a page. Chinese business or technical text starts at S$0.15 a word. Large jobs can get a lower rate per word.
Indonesian translation cost
Indonesian personal papers, such as a KTP or birth certificate, start at S$45 a page. Business and legal files start at S$0.18 a word. Legal and technical wording costs more.
Contract translation cost
How much does contract translation cost in Singapore? It is usually priced per word. At S$0.15 to S$0.18 a word, a 3,000-word contract starts at about S$450 to S$540. Legal wording and rare languages cost more. Share the word count and purpose for an exact contract translation in Singapore quote.
Per Page or Per Word: Which Is Cheaper?
Most quotes use one of two methods. Each one suits a different kind of document.
| Method | Best for | Why |
|---|
| Per page | Birth, marriage and death certificates, IDs, transcripts | Short, fixed layouts with stamps and tables |
| Per word | Contracts, reports, websites, manuals | Long text where word count is the main work |
| Per hour or per job | Editing, formatting, interpreting | Work that is hard to count in words |
Per page. A one-page birth certificate takes careful work. There are names, stamps, seals and notes. A per-page price covers all that, even if the word count is low.
Per word. A ten-page contract is mostly running text. Here, word count is a fair guide to the effort. For long text, per word is usually cheaper than per page.
Some languages need a different count. Chinese, Japanese and Korean do not split words with spaces. So ask how the agency counts. For Chinese document translation, some quotes count characters, while others count the English words that result.
What Changes the Price?
Two quotes for the same file can differ a lot. These five factors explain most of the gap.
- Language pair. Common pairs, like Chinese or Malay into English, have more translators. Rare pairs have fewer, so they can cost more.
- Subject. Legal, medical and technical texts need a translator who knows the field. That skill costs more.
- Length. More pages or words means more work. Large jobs sometimes get a lower rate per unit.
- Urgency. A same-day or next-day job may cost extra. The translator has to move other work.
- Formatting. Tables, forms and scanned pages take time to rebuild. Handwriting also slows things down.
Many people send a phone photo first. If the text is blurry, the translator has to guess or ask. A clear scan lets any translation agency that quotes by the page give you a faster, fairer price.
How Much Does Urgent Translation Cost?
Urgent jobs on our price list start at S$20 extra. A short certificate can often be done in 12 to 24 hours.
A rush job is not only about the translator. A second linguist still needs to check the work. If you need a notary, the notary also needs a free slot. When all of this has to happen in one day, other work must wait. That is where the extra charge comes from.
Have an ICA visit tomorrow? Read about same-day translation before an ICA visit to see what can be done in time.
How Much Does a Notarised Translation Cost?
Some costs are not set by the translator. They are official fees, and you can check them.
| Extra step | Who charges | Fee |
|---|
| Notarial certificate | The notary public | S$75 per document, set by the Notaries Public Rules |
| SAL authentication and apostille of the notarised paper | Singapore Academy of Law (SAL), paid at the notary’s office | S$87.20 including GST |
| Legalising a certified true copy or other paper that is not notarised | SAL | S$10.70 including GST per document |
| Photocopy for a certified true copy at SAL | SAL | S$1.07 including GST |
So a one-page certificate, translated and notarised, starts at about S$120. With an apostille for use abroad, plan for about S$207 or more.
A notary public is a senior lawyer who can witness and certify documents. SAL says the notary can only issue the notarial certificate after you pay SAL’s fee.
When ICA asks for a translation, a plain private translation is not enough. ICA wants it notarised or attested by an embassy, unless the notary or embassy made it. If your papers are for ICA, budget for notarisation added to a translation from the start.
Want a Clear Price for Your Certificates? Send a Scan and Get a Written Quote
How to Get an Accurate Quote
A vague request gets a vague price. Give the agency everything it needs on day one.
- Send the whole document, front and back, in a clear scan or PDF.
- Say where it will go, such as ICA, MOM, a court, a bank or an embassy.
- Say if you need notarisation or an Apostille.
- Give your deadline, and say if it is firm.
- List the spellings of names as they appear in passports.
- Ask what is included, such as delivery, extra copies and corrections.
Here is an example. A parent sends a clear PDF and says it is for a PR file. The quote for translating a single birth certificate can then include the notary step. Nothing is added later.
Get every quote in writing. Then you can compare like with like.
Questions to ask before you pay
- Is the price per page, per word or for the whole job?
- Does it include the notary’s fee and SAL’s fee?
- When will I get the files, and in what form?
- Will you fix errors for free if an officer spots one?
- Do I get a soft copy as well as the hard copy?
- Is there an extra charge for a rush job?
If the answers are clear, the quote is likely fair. If the provider avoids them, keep looking. A good team is happy to explain each line on its quote.
How to Get Lower Translation Rates in Singapore
You do not have to pay more than you need. These tips help keep the bill down:
- Batch your documents. Sending a family’s certificates together often costs less than four separate orders.
- Notarise only what needs it. MOM accepts a translation from a translation service provider. So you may not need a notary for every work pass paper.
- Plan ahead. Urgent jobs cost more. Order as soon as you know the document is needed.
- Send clean scans. Clear files are quicker to work on.
- Reuse good translations. Keep the notarised copy. You may be able to use it again for a later application.
- Edit instead of redo. Have one for business use already? You may save by proofreading an existing translation instead of starting over.
A common problem we see is people paying twice. They buy a cheap translation, then find out ICA needs it notarised. Asking the right question first saves money.
Red Flags of Very Cheap Services
A low price is not always a bad deal. But watch for these warning signs:
- “ICA-approved” claims. ICA states that it does not endorse any private translation company.
- No signed statement. A real certified translation has the translator’s or agency’s signed statement.
- No contact details. You should know who did the work and how to reach them.
- Machine output. Odd wording, wrong names or missing stamps suggest a free tool.
- Price changes later. Notary or delivery costs that appear at the end.
- No corrections. A fair provider fixes its own errors.
Not sure what the office needs? Learn the gap between certified and notarised translations before you compare prices. A cheap translation that ICA or a court rejects is the most costly one of all.
Comparing Translation Prices? Ask Us What Is Included Before You Pay Anything
Frequently Asked Questions
How long does a certified translation take?
A one-page certificate usually takes 24 to 48 hours. Longer papers take about 2 to 3 working days. A notarised translation takes about 3 to 7 working days, because the notary needs a slot too.
Do I pay SAL again for an Apostille on a notarised translation?
No legalisation fee is charged for that step. SAL says the legalisation fee is waived for all notarised documents. You only pay SAL’s S$87.20 authentication fee at the notary’s office.
Can I get a refund if I no longer need the Apostille?
No. SAL states that legalisation fees paid are not refundable. Check that the receiving country needs an Apostille before you pay.
Do the courts offer translation, and what does it cost?
Court interpreters translate Chinese, Malay and Tamil documents into English for court cases. The fee is S$45 per translated page. Requests should be made at least 4 weeks ahead, and the court may turn down private-use requests.
Conclusion
Translation in Singapore usually costs from S$40 a page for a certificate, or from about S$0.15 a word for long text. Notarisation adds the S$75 notary fee, and an apostille adds SAL’s S$87.20. The language, subject and deadline decide the rest.
Get a written quote that lists every step. Batch your papers, plan ahead, and skip any provider that makes promises ICA itself does not make.
