Birth Certificate Translation for ICA: The Checklist Parents Need

Quick answer: If a birth certificate is not in English, prepare an official English translation and check that names, dates, registration details, seals and annotations match the original.

Parents' ten-point checklist

1. Submit a complete, clear scan of every page and reverse side.
2. Match the child's name exactly with the passport and application.
3. Check both parents' names, including order, spacing and former names.
4. Confirm the date and place of birth.
5. Include registration numbers and issuing-authority details.
6. Translate stamps, seals, handwritten notes and amendments.
7. Mark genuinely illegible text instead of guessing.
8. Keep the English layout easy to compare with the source.
9. Include the translator's signed certification statement.
10. Confirm whether notarisation or embassy attestation is required for your application.

Certified versus notarised translation

A certified translation includes a signed declaration of accuracy. Notarisation is an additional formal step and is not automatically required for every application. Follow the specific instructions for your ICA transaction.

Before submitting

Compare the translation against passports and related family documents. A mismatch in one letter or date can lead to clarification requests. For detailed service information, see our birth certificate translation Singapore page or our ICA translation Singapore service.