Find a translation service in Singapore

In short: Business translation is usually priced per word, and certified documents per page; one provider lists certified translation at S$38 per page. Check what the receiving agency, court or overseas authority requires before ordering, since ICA accepts only embassy or notarised translations.

Translation services in Singapore cover turning business content from one language into another so it can be used legally, commercially or operationally: contracts and agreements, websites and apps, marketing material, product and technical documents, and supporting documents for government applications. Most business buyers need English with Chinese, Malay or Tamil, or with a regional language such as Bahasa Indonesia, Thai, Vietnamese, Japanese or Korean. The right provider depends on the content type, how the translation will be used and whether a government agency, court or overseas authority will need it certified or notarised.

What business translation includes

Providers specialise, so describe the content and its purpose clearly rather than only the language.

Common business work

• Contracts and legal documents. Agreements, terms, board resolutions and correspondence, where accuracy of terms matters more than style.
• Websites and apps. Translation plus localisation of menus, forms, dates, currencies and search keywords, often delivered into a content management system.
• Marketing and campaigns. Brochures, social posts, ads and packaging, which may need adaptation (transcreation) rather than literal translation.
• Technical documents. Manuals, safety data, specifications and training material, where consistent terminology is key.
• HR and compliance. Employee handbooks, policies and safety briefings for multilingual teams.

Certified and notarised translations

Some recipients need more than an accurate translation. A certified translation usually carries the provider’s signed statement of accuracy. A notarised translation involves a notary public. If the document is going overseas, it may also need legalisation through the Singapore Academy of Law. Confirm what the receiving party asks for before you order, because the wrong format can mean starting again.

Related services

• Proofreading or review of an existing translation
• Glossary and translation memory set-up for repeat work
• Desktop publishing so the translated file matches the original layout
• Interpreting for meetings or events, which is usually a separate quote

What it costs in Singapore

Pricing is usually per source word for business content and per page for certified documents. From pages we checked in October 2026:

• Two Singapore providers’ pricing pages list certified translation at S$45 per page (selected languages, up to 350 words a page) and S$60 per page (French and English). Neither publishes a per-word rate for bulk work, so ask for a quote on your word count. Our translation rates guide has more detail.
• The Singapore courts charge S$45 per translated page for a certified translation by a court interpreter, but only from Chinese, Malay or Tamil into English, and only for documents filed or used in court proceedings. The courts may decline requests, and say parties should then approach a private translation service.

These are reference points, not quotes. The main cost drivers are:

• Language pair. Less common pairs usually cost more than English with Chinese.
• Subject matter. Legal, medical and technical content needs specialist translators.
• Volume. Larger projects often get lower per-word rates; small jobs may carry a minimum charge.
• Turnaround. Rush jobs usually cost extra.
• Certification and notarisation. Notary fees and legalisation are often charged separately.
• Format. Scanned PDFs, design files and website exports can add formatting time.
• GST. Check whether each quote includes the 9% GST.

Singapore rules buyers should know

ICA: official translations

For immigration and citizenship matters, ICA asks for original documents plus official translations of documents not in English. It accepts translations provided by the embassy of the country that issued the document, translations produced by a notary public in Singapore or the issuing country, and private translations attested by the embassy or notarised by a notary public. ICA states that it does not endorse any private translation companies. If you are supporting a foreign hire’s family through an ICA application, check the specific ICA page for that application.

MOM: work pass documents

MOM’s checklist of documents for work pass applications says that for non-English documents you must upload the original document and an English translation, and that the translation can be done by a translation service provider. MOM may ask for further documents during review, so keep the provider’s details on file.

Notaries public and legalisation

The Singapore Academy of Law runs a portal with a directory of Notaries Public and Commissioners for Oaths, and handles legalisation requests and authentication of notarial certificates for documents going overseas. If a provider offers notarised translations, ask which notary they use and whether legalisation is included.

Data protection

Contracts, HR files and identity documents contain personal data. Under the Personal Data Protection Act, your business remains responsible for personal data a provider processes for you, so agree in writing how files are stored, who can access them and when they are deleted.

How to choose a translation provider

Look for a provider that asks how the translation will be used before quoting.

Questions to ask:

1. Who will translate and review our content, and do they work in their native language?
2. What experience do you have with our document type: contracts, technical manuals, websites?
3. Is your quote per word or per page, and how do you count words or define a page?
4. Do you offer certified or notarised translations, and what do they cost on top?
5. Will you build a glossary or translation memory so repeat work stays consistent?
6. Can you return files in the original format, including website or design files?
7. How do you protect confidential and personal data, and do you use machine translation?
8. What is your process if we or a recipient question a translation?

If you are hiring overseas staff or setting up in Singapore, you may also need help from HR consultancy matching or company incorporation matching.

Red flags

• A price far below other quotes with no explanation of who does the work
• No mention of review or proofreading by a second linguist
• Unclear answers on whether machine translation is used for your files
• Claims that a translation is “ICA approved”, when ICA says it does not endorse private translators
• No written terms on confidentiality and data deletion
• No sample, reference or test passage for a large or specialist project

How FYAdvisers matching works

1. Describe your need. Tell us the content, languages, volume, deadline and any certification needed.
2. Free concierge consultation. A concierge contacts you to confirm your needs, budget and timing.
3. We introduce one to five providers. With your consent, we introduce you to the number of translation providers you choose, up to five.
4. Meet and decide. Providers reach out directly with questions and quotes. You choose whether to work with any of them.

Matching is free for you. Providers pay FYAdvisers to receive introductions. FYAdvisers does not provide translation services, and we only share your details with your consent.