Sworn Translation Services in Singapore
Asked for a "sworn translation"? Singapore has no state-appointed sworn translators, so nobody here can stamp a sworn-translator seal. What we give you is what Singapore law allows: our translator swears an affidavit that the translation is true. For use abroad, it is sworn before a Notary Public and then apostilled by the Singapore Academy of Law (SAL). For Singapore courts, it is sworn before a commissioner for oaths. If an embassy only accepts translators on its own list, we tell you that first.
Quick answer: The translation starts from S$40 a page and takes 24 to 48 hours. For use abroad, the set (translation + affidavit before a Notary Public + SAL apostille) starts from S$202.20 for 1 page and takes 3 to 7 working days. A court affidavit adds a fixed fee. Same-day translation is possible for short documents sent before 11am on a weekday. The affidavit, notary and SAL steps add working days.
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Translator's Affidavit, Notary + SAL, or an Embassy-List Translator: Which Sworn Translation Do You Need?
"Sworn" means different things in different places. The office that asked decides. Using it abroad? Card 1. Filing in a Singapore court? Card 2. Embassy names its own translators? Card 3.
1. Affidavit Before a Notary Public + SAL (use abroad)
- Who signs it: Our translator swears an affidavit of accuracy before a Notary Public, and SAL adds an apostille.
- Used for: Foreign courts, consulates, universities and notaries that ask for a "sworn" or "official" translation.
- Time: 3 to 7 working days.
- From: S$202.20 for a 1-page document.
2. Affidavit Before a Commissioner for Oaths (Singapore courts)
- Who signs it: Our translator swears an affidavit of accuracy before a commissioner for oaths.
- Used for: Probate, Family Justice Courts, State Courts and Supreme Court filings in Singapore.
- Time: Usually 2 to 4 working days.
- From: S$40 per page + affidavit fee.
3. Embassy-List or Sworn Translator Abroad
- Who signs it: A translator on the embassy's own list, or a sworn translator registered in the destination country.
- Used for: Offices that accept only their own translators, for example some German, Italian, Spanish or Indonesian offices.
- Time: Depends on the country, often 1 to 2 weeks.
- From: Quoted per country.
One thing we will always tell you straight
No embassy, court or foreign office endorses any private translation company, and nobody in Singapore holds a state sworn-translator seal. Any company that says it does is not telling you the truth. What the officer looks at is whether the translation comes in the form their rules ask for: a translator's affidavit, a notary and an apostille, or a translator from their own list. So we do not sell you a title we cannot have. We ask what the office means by "sworn", build your set in that exact shape, and tell you honestly when a cheaper route is enough. Our notarised translation page explains the notary route in plain words.
Does Singapore Have Sworn Translators? The Honest Answer, Country by Country
No. Singapore has no state-appointed sworn translators and no sworn-translator register. The German Embassy in Singapore says so in plain words, and the Italian Embassy notes there is no provision in Singapore for a certified translator. So when an office asks for a "sworn translation", it means one of three things: a translator's affidavit of accuracy (sworn before a Notary Public for use abroad, or a commissioner for oaths for Singapore courts), a translator on that embassy's own list, or a sworn translator registered in the destination country. Country rules we see most often (checked October 2026; always check the office's own checklist):
Also: We translate into English from Indonesian, Thai, Dutch, Chinese, Malay, Burmese and 200+ other languages, and from English into Indonesian, Italian, Spanish, French, Turkish and more.
Rare languages cost more and can take longer, so tell us the language and we give you the real price and date first.
Documents We Prepare as a Sworn Translation
These are the papers most often sent with a "sworn" request.
Wills, Death Certificates and Estate Papers
For probate in Singapore or abroad. See our death certificate translation page.
Powers of Attorney
For property sales and estates abroad. See our power of attorney translation page.
Marriage, Divorce, Birth and Family Records
Marriage and divorce papers: including a Singapore ROM certificate into Indonesian for KBRI or Indonesia. Birth certificates and family records: for citizenship, residence and adoption files abroad.
Court Evidence
WhatsApp screenshots, letters and statements, with the translator's affidavit.
Diplomas and Transcripts
For universities and boards that ask for a sworn translation.
Company Documents
ACRA profiles, constitutions and contracts for a foreign registry or notary. For contracts and deeds that need no sworn step, see our legal translation services.
Sworn Translation for Singapore Courts vs Use Abroad: Steps in the Right Order
The order changes with where the paper is going. Doing it in the wrong order is the most common reason people pay twice. Order check: Singapore court: translation, then affidavit before a commissioner for oaths, no SAL. Abroad, Apostille country: translation, then affidavit before a Notary Public, then SAL apostille. Abroad, non-Apostille country: the same, then the embassy's stamp last. A foreign original that must be apostilled is done in the country that issued it, first.
Ask the office what "sworn" means, and send us the scan
Send every page, front and back, and the name of the office and country. If you have its instructions, send them too. Your original stays with you.
Get a fixed, itemised price and the route within an hour
We tell you if you need card 1, 2 or 3, and if a plain certified translation is enough.
Translation and second check
One translator does the work. A second person checks every name, date and figure against your passport and the original.
Affidavit, then delivery
For Singapore courts, our translator swears the affidavit before a commissioner for oaths, and you get the signed affidavit with the translation attached, plus a PDF for your lawyer. For use abroad, the translator swears it before a Notary Public, SAL adds the apostille, and you get a PDF of the full set plus the signed paper set. Courier for a small fee, or collect from our office.
Why Clients Trust Us With Sworn Translation Requests
What you get with every sworn translation request we handle.
We Tell You What We Are Not
We never claim a sworn-translator title, because nobody in Singapore can hold one. That honesty keeps your file from being refused.
Route Checked Before You Pay
We read the office's rule first and pick the affidavit, notary or embassy-list route that fits it.
Affidavit and Notary Handled Here
Our translator swears the affidavit. We work with a partner Notary Public in Singapore and take the set on to SAL. You do not have to queue anywhere.
Honest Timelines
Translation takes 24 to 48 hours. With the notary and SAL steps, the whole job usually takes 3 to 7 working days. A court affidavit usually takes 2 to 4 working days. If your date is too close, we tell you before you pay.
A Typical Job: Sworn Italian Power of Attorney After a Rejected Notarised English Version
This is how a typical job of this kind runs. A Singapore resident needed a power of attorney for a Milan notary handling a family estate. She had already paid for a notarised English version, and Milan sent it straight back: the notary wanted it in Italian, by a translator Italy recognises.
Power of Attorney Translation
Original
A power of attorney for a family estate, already turned back by the Milan notary in its notarised English version.
What the client needed
Singapore resident handling a family estate in Italy
- She had already paid for a notarised English version.
- The Milan notary wanted it in Italian, by a translator Italy recognises.
What we did
The route the office asked for
- We read why Milan sent the notarised English version back.
- We arranged the Italian translation through a sworn translator registered with an Italian court.
- The translator swore it with their register number.
- The original was apostilled.
- The set was couriered to Milan.
Sworn Translation Cost in Singapore: Affidavit, Notary, SAL and Embassy Fees Itemised
You get a fixed, itemised price before we start. Several documents? Send them together for one bundled quote with an itemised breakdown.
Affidavit + Notary + SAL (use abroad)
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
- Embassy stamp for non-Apostille countries quoted on request
Translator's Affidavit (Singapore courts)
2-4 daysaffidavit sworn before a commissioner for oaths
- Signed affidavit with the translation attached
- For Probate, Family Justice Courts and State Courts
- PDF for your lawyer, plus the paper set
Urgent
Same day*Extra charge
- *Same-day translation if sent before 11am on a weekday (short documents)
- The affidavit, notary and SAL steps still take working days
Itemised example 1 (Singapore court): A Dutch death certificate (1 page) and will (4 pages) for a Singapore court filing, with a translator's affidavit. Translation: 5 × S$40 = S$200. Translator's affidavit, sworn before a commissioner for oaths (commissioner's fee included): a fixed fee, shown in your quote. Courier: small fee. Itemised example 2 (abroad, Apostille country): A 3-page document for a court in France, with an affidavit sworn before a Notary Public. Translation: 3 × S$40 = S$120. Notarial certificate: S$75. SAL apostille: S$87.20. Subtotal: S$282.20. If the notary charges for the oath (S$40), exhibits (S$10 each) and GST, these are added. Courier abroad: quoted. Rare languages: Indonesian, Thai, Chinese and Malay are standard languages for us. Rare languages, and translation into Italian, Spanish or other non-English languages, may cost more, so we quote them first.
What Clients Say
Here is what clients said after we translated their documents.
Real Client Experiences
Swipe to read more success stories
Pleased With Final Document
"Sending my English academic transcript for Malay translation was part of my embassy task. They handled dates and grades properly. I felt relieved after seeing the copy. It was accepted..."
English to Malay Agreement for Regional Hire
"For a Malaysian staff member, we needed the employment contract translated from English to Malay. It was for internal record and clarity. Delivery took two days. The staff understood every..."
Satisfied With Embassy Submission Result
"My Malay business letter had to be translated into English for Malaysia embassy. I compared both copies line by line. Everything looked correct. The process ended without any problem."
My Research Looks Professional
"Amazed at how my French dissertation became easy to read in English. Every point stayed correct. My professor didn't need to ask any questions. This translation service really helped me..."
Scholarship Submission Ready
"The Arabic academic essay translation kept all details accurate. I used it for my scholarship form. Every paragraph is readable in English. Felt relieved knowing I could submit it without..."
Supplier Issue Solved
"Supplier document language caused delay. Translation fixed it. Logistics team approved. Shipment moved."
French Website Version for Market Entry
"Expanding into France meant our company website needed proper French translation. We submitted the translated version to our overseas partner for approval. They accepted it without revision. This helped us..."
Online Portal Accepted
"Government upload portal accepted the translated permit. No error shown. Process finished smoothly."
Great Choice For Expats
"Your team helped me with English translation. Steps were simple. I sent pictures by WhatsApp. Traffic Police accepted immediately."
My Thesis Feels Complete
"Seeing my Chinese Simplified dissertation in English made me smile. All my explanations are clear. I understood it fully. Submission was easy. I feel really satisfied and proud."
Other Services You May Need With a Sworn Translation
A sworn request usually needs one more step. We run it 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 Sworn Translation
Short, direct answers to the questions clients ask us most.
FAQ Group
Will the office accept your sworn translation?
It depends on what the office means by "sworn". Singapore courts accept a translation verified by a qualified translator's affidavit. Most offices abroad accept an affidavit sworn before a Notary Public with SAL's apostille. Some embassies accept only translators on their own list. No office endorses any company, so we check its rule first and build the set to match.
How much does a sworn translation cost in Singapore?
The translation starts at S$40 a page. For use abroad, the affidavit before a Notary Public with SAL starts at S$202.20 for a 1-page document, and each extra page adds S$40. A court affidavit adds a fixed fee. Same-day translation adds S$20 a page. You get a fixed, itemised price within an hour.
Do I need SAL authentication for a sworn translation?
Only for use abroad. When the affidavit is sworn before a Singapore Notary Public, SAL must authenticate it, and since 16 September 2021 it does this with an apostille. The S$87.20 fee is in our price. For a Singapore court, the affidavit is sworn before a commissioner for oaths, and no SAL step is needed.
My court date or embassy appointment is close. Can you still help?
Often, yes. A short document sent before 11am on a weekday can be translated the same day. The affidavit, notary and SAL steps depend on their diaries and add working days. A sworn translator abroad takes longer. Message us on WhatsApp with your date, and we will tell you honestly whether it is possible.
Do I get a PDF or paper? And do you need my original?
A clear scan is enough to start, and your original stays with you. Affidavits and notarised sets are made on paper because they are signed in person. You also get a PDF of the full set for your lawyer or for upload. If the office wants a certified true copy of the original, we arrange it.
Does Singapore have sworn translators?
No. Singapore has no state-appointed sworn translators and no register to join, as the German and Italian embassies here confirm. A "sworn translation" from Singapore means a translator's affidavit of accuracy, sworn before a Notary Public (for use abroad) or a commissioner for oaths (for Singapore courts), or a translator on an embassy's own list.
I need an Indonesian sworn translation for KBRI or for Indonesia. Can you help?
Yes, in the form each office accepts. Indonesia has accepted the apostille since 4 June 2022, so a Singapore document with SAL's apostille needs no KBRI legalisation. Offices in Indonesia often want the Indonesian translation by a penerjemah tersumpah. Ask KBRI or the office which form it takes, and we will follow its answer.
Commissioner for oaths or Notary Public: which one do I need?
It depends on where the paper goes. For Singapore courts, a commissioner for oaths is enough. For any use abroad, it must be a Notary Public, because court commissioners for oaths cannot sign papers for foreign use and SAL only authenticates notaries. We pick the right one from your office's instructions.
The embassy wants a translator from its own list. What then?
Then use its list. The German Embassy, for example, points to its acknowledged translators and certifies their signature itself. We tell you this before you pay. If the list includes us, or the embassy also accepts an affidavit with an apostille, we prepare it. If not, we can arrange a sworn translator in that country.
Can I translate it myself and swear the affidavit?
Usually not. Courts want the affidavit of a person qualified to translate, and most offices refuse translations by the applicant or family. Our translator swears the affidavit, states their qualifications in it, and confirms the translation is true and complete. That is what a Singapore court, or a foreign office, can rely on.
Get Your Sworn Translation Done the Right Way
Send scans of your papers, tell us the office and the country, and we will tell you which sworn route it accepts, with a fixed price within an hour.