FAQ

We get it right the first time, so there are no costly rework cycles. We also keep our overheads lean and pass the savings on to clients. A steady base of returning clients lets us hold our prices without compromising quality.

Most documents are charged by word count, or by character count for Chinese and Japanese; Korean may be counted either way, as stated in the quotation. Short standard documents, such as identity cards, certificates, work permits and driving licences, are charged at a fixed rate per document. Send us your document, including scans or photos, and we will count it and confirm a fixed price before we begin. Surcharges apply to some formats; see question 12.

Every translation is done and checked by a human translator. Our translators may use machine translation as a reference tool, but nothing is delivered until they have translated and reviewed every word.

Every project goes through three stages. First, a translator with experience in your subject translates it. Second, a second linguist proofreads it against the original. Third, we check the formatting and terminology before delivery. If you find an error in our work and tell us in writing within 7 days of delivery, we correct it free of charge.

We regularly handle sensitive documents for law firms and government organisations.

• Every staff member, linguist and freelancer with access to client files signs a non-disclosure agreement.
• Files are password-protected and shared only with the people working on your project.
• We are happy to sign your NDA before you send any documents.
• We handle personal data in line with Singapore's Personal Data Protection Act (PDPA).
• Files are deleted 90 days after delivery, unless you ask us in writing to keep them longer or delete them sooner.

Yes. Projects above 10,000 words receive a volume discount, shown in your quotation. Volume discounts apply only when all documents are submitted together. Similar discounts apply to interpretation and transcription.

Yes. Every translation can come with our Certificate of Translation, which attests that it is complete and accurate. Where an authority requires more, we can arrange:

• Notarisation by a Notary Public, which some authorities, and most uses overseas, require.
• An affidavit sworn by the translator before a Commissioner for Oaths, which courts commonly require.
• An apostille from the Singapore Academy of Law, for documents used abroad.

For ICA submissions, documents not in English must be submitted with a certified English translation. Singapore joined the Apostille Convention in September 2021, so notarised documents apostilled by the Singapore Academy of Law are accepted in other member countries without embassy legalisation. Countries that are not members still require legalisation. Not sure what your document needs? Send us the authority's checklist and we will advise.

Notarisation can only be done by a Notary Public, a senior lawyer appointed by the Singapore Academy of Law. We are not Notaries Public ourselves, but we can arrange notarisation and handle the process from start to finish. Notarial fees are fixed by law, and our charge covers only the administration. You are also welcome to use your own Notary Public, and we will coordinate with them.

• Standard: one business day per 2,000 words, at the normal rate.
• Express: work extends into weekday evenings and Saturdays, at 30–50% above the normal rate.
• Express, large volume: split among up to three linguists, at 10% per additional linguist, to cover the coordination needed for consistent style and terminology.
• Sundays and public holidays: on written request only, at a 100% mark-up.

Notarisation and apostille add time; we confirm the total when we quote.

Our network includes native-speaking professionals across Singapore's diverse workforce, with experience in fields from automotive to zoology. We match each project to a linguist who knows both the language and your industry. Sworn and notarised translations are handled only by translators with formal translation qualifications. Every linguist signs a non-disclosure agreement before handling client files.

Yes.

• Errors attributable to us, reported in writing within 7 days of delivery, are corrected free.
• Changes at your request: up to three rounds of revisions are included. Each further round is charged at 20% of the original quote, payable before we begin.
• Changes to your source document after translation: a one-time update fee of 10% of the original quote, plus the cost of translating any new or changed content.

Unless otherwise quoted:

• File format: web and code files, such as HTML, PHP, ASP and XML, and other non-Word formats, such as PDFs, scans and images, carry a 20% surcharge to preserve their tags and formatting.
• Urgency: express and Sunday or public holiday rates as in question 9.

• No GST: we are not GST-registered, so our prices carry no GST.
• No hidden fees: the price we quote is the price you pay for your translation.
• Volume discounts: for projects above 10,000 words (see question 6).

All payments are in Singapore dollars by PayNow or bank transfer, quoting the quotation number. Full payment is due in advance unless we agree other terms in writing. Where we agree to invoice after delivery, payment is due within 14 days of the invoice date.

By telegraphic transfer (T/T) to the bank account on your invoice. Please send the full SGD amount and instruct your bank to charge all fees to you (the "OUR" option on a SWIFT transfer). Allow for our bank's receiving fee, typically S$10, unless your quote states otherwise. Your bank's exchange rate on the day applies.

DTP starts from S$60 per page. Pages with complex layouts, such as tables, charts and diagrams, are quoted individually. The target language also affects the price, as some scripts need extra spacing and font work. We work in Adobe Acrobat, InDesign, Illustrator, Photoshop and FrameMaker; CorelDRAW, QuarkXPress, Affinity Publisher and AutoCAD; and Microsoft Word, Excel and PowerPoint. Other formats are available on request.