Malaysian Birth Certificate Translation For ICA Singapore

Understanding ICA requirements

ICA requires certified translations to ensure all foreign documents meet Singapore’s legal standards. If you submit an uncertified or machine translation, it will be rejected. The Immigration and Checkpoints Authority (ICA) sets clear rules to make sure all submitted documents are accurate and legally valid. You can review the ICA official requirements on their website. 

ICA translation requirements

The ICA sets forth specific requirements and guidelines for the translation of birth certificates. These stipulations are in place to ensure that all official documents, including birth certificates, are accurately translated and conform to the standards expected by Singaporean authorities. The translation requirements include; 

• Official translations only: Any document not in English must be translated by an approved source. This ensures ICA can properly assess your application.

• Approved sources for translations

  • Translations carried out by the embassy of the document-issuing country

  • Translations completed by a notary public (in Singapore or the issuing country)

  • Translations done by a private translation company, which must be notarised by a Singapore notary public or attested by the relevant embassy in the country where the document was issued. 

Note: Translayte is a private translation company that offers certified translations. Our translations must be notarised by a Singapore notary public to be accepted by ICA, this is part of the services we provide.

Other documents that may need translation for ICA include: marriage certificates, educational certificates, employment testimonials. 

Types of Malaysian birth certificates (JPN vs Hospital-issued)

Understanding the type of birth certificate you have is important before requesting for translation. Malaysia issues two different documents at birth, but only one is recognised for official use by ICA Singapore.

JPN birth certificate (Sijil Kelahiran)

The JPN birth certificate, known as Sijil Kelahiran, is the official document issued by Jabatan Pendaftaran Negara. This is Malaysia’s National Registration Department, and this certificate is the legally recognised proof of birth.

Once the birth is formally registered, you should receive it in days or weeks after birth. The document is written in Malay, which means it must be translated into English by a certified translator before it can be submitted to ICA Singapore.

Hospital-issued birth certificate

A hospital-issued birth certificate is the document given immediately after a child is born. It serves as a record of birth for hospital and administrative purposes.

However, this is not an official government document. On its own, it is generally not accepted for immigration or legal processes, including ICA applications.

Which one does ICA accept?

ICA requires the official JPN birth certificate for all applications. The hospital-issued document alone is not valid for official use

If you only have a hospital-issued certificate, you will need to apply for your official JPN certificate through a JPN office or a Malaysian embassy before proceeding with translation.

Once you have the JPN certificate, it must be accurately translated into English to meet ICA requirements.

Step-by-step: How to translate your birth certificate for ICA

Here’s a simple step-by-step process to follow when translating your birth certificate for ICA, to ensure it is accepted without delays; 

1. Obtain your official JPN birth certificate: If you only have a hospital-issued certificate, you must first apply for the official JPN certificate through a JPN office in Malaysia or a Malaysian embassy.

2. Scan or photograph your document clearly: Make sure the entire document is visible, including all four edges. Avoid shadows, blur, or cropped sections.

3. Upload your document for translation: Submit your birth certificate to a certified translation provider and select “Malay to English” translation. Ensure you choose the certified translation option. 

4. Receive your certified translation: Most professional services deliver within 24-48 hours, depending on urgency and document complexity.

5. Arrange notarisation (if required by ICA): If the translation is completed by a private company, it must be notarised by a Singapore notary public to meet ICA requirements.

6. Review your translated document: Double-check that all names, dates, and details match your original certificate exactly before submission.

7. Submit to ICA: Provide both the translated and notarised document, along with your original birth certificate as part of your application.

Tip: Always submit both your original birth certificate and the certified English translation together. ICA will cross-check both documents during processing.

Birth certificate translation for Singapore PR application

When applying for Singapore Permanent Residency (PR), the Immigration and Checkpoints Authority requires all foreign documents, including birth certificates, to be submitted in English. If your birth certificate is in Malay, you must provide a certified English translation as part of your application.

The PR application is completed through ICA’s e-PR portal, where you will need to upload both your original birth certificate and the certified translation. This applies not only to the main applicant, but also to any dependants. For example, if you are applying with children, each child’s birth certificate must also be translated and submitted.

It’s important to note that only certified translations are accepted. Unofficial translations, including those done using tools like Google Translate, will be rejected and may delay your application.

To avoid issues, make sure your documents meet ICA’s requirements before submission. You can order your PR application translation from Translayte here. 

How much does it cost to translate a birth certificate in Singapore?

The cost of translating a birth certificate in Singapore starts at $27.50. The final price depends on a few key factors, such as, the number of pages, how complex the document is, how quickly you need it, and whether additional services like notarisation are required.

Here’s a typical breakdown; 

For an exact quote, upload your document on our website, it takes less than 60 seconds.