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Introduction

If you need personal or informational documents translated into English, or from English into another language, you can book an appointment and submit the material for translation, at a service centre.

Eligibility

An individual acting on their own behalf, or that of another person.

If you’re acting for an organisation, you should contact Multicultural NSW directly, as you may be eligible for a volume discount on the translation fees. This applies to:

  • community groups
  • private organisations
  • commercial organisations
  • all departments and agencies of the NSW government.

What you need

  • the document(s) you need translated
  • the PDF forms:
    • 'Translation lodgement form'
    • 'Additional information form' if the documents are in a non-Latin alphabet, like Chinese, Arabic, Japanese or Korean.
  • the translation fee.

How to apply

  1. Download and complete Translation lodgement form – PDF.
  2. Download and complete Additional information form – PDF (if applicable).
  3. Prepare the documents you want translated.
  4. Select the 'Book an appointment' button.
  5. Choose your service centre.
  6. Schedule your appointment.
  7. Enter the required details.
  8. Attend your appointment with the documents to be translated, and your payment.

More information

Standard and non-standard documents

You can apply for translations of both standard and non-standard documents. Standard documents can be translated into English from another language. The English translation will be an extract of the original document, which means that the translation won’t be word-for-word but will contain all the essential information. Standard documents include:

  • driver licences
  • marriage certificates
  • divorce certificates
  • birth certificates
  • death certificates
  • passport extracts
  • baptismal certificates
  • family entries
  • identity documents
  • military service records
  • police/penal records.

Non-standard documents include:

  • any document translated from English into another language, or
  • any document that isn’t included in the list of standard documents, for example:
    • educational qualifications
    • employment records
    • legal documents
    • medical documents.

Non-Latin alphabets

If the original document you’d like translated is in a non-Latin alphabet (for example, Arabic, Chinese or Korean), please complete the Additional information form – PDF to record in English letters every name that appears on the original document.

Centrelink recipient

If you’re a permanent resident who receives Centrelink benefits, you might be able to get your document translated for free. You should contact Multicultural NSW directly to submit a document.

Turnaround time

You can choose a turnaround time of 24-48 hours (express service), 7 business days, or 14 business days. The cost will depend on which turnaround time you choose.

For express service (24-48 hours turnaround time), you can choose to collect it at the Multicultural NSW Parramatta office, or have it mailed to you via ordinary or Express post. For 7 or 14 business days service, you can have it mailed to you via ordinary or Express post.

Please note: ‘turnaround time’ doesn’t include the time it takes for it to be mailed to you.

Payment methods

You can review transaction payment options on our payment methods page.

Last updated: 2 February 2023