Birth certificate legalisation
Legalise your Malaysian birth certificate for use overseas
Foreign governments, embassies and employers only accept a Malaysian birth certificate once it has been legalised: checked and stamped by the Malaysian authorities, then by the embassy of the country where you will use it. We handle the whole chain from Kuala Lumpur, even if you already live abroad.
KL-based team
No need to fly back
Updates on WhatsApp
Courier worldwide
When you need it
Why a foreign country asks for a legalised birth certificate
A birth certificate issued by the National Registration Department (JPN) is valid in Malaysia, but other countries have no way to check it is genuine. Legalisation gives them that proof. These are the most common reasons our clients need it.
Family and dependant visas
Sponsoring a child or spouse in the UAE, Saudi Arabia, Qatar and other countries.
Residency and citizenship
Permanent residency, long-term visas and citizenship applications abroad.
Marriage overseas
Registering a marriage in another country, where a legalised birth certificate is often required.
School and university
Enrolling a child in school, or yourself in university, outside Malaysia.
Legal matters
Inheritance, name changes and other legal processes in another country.
Not sure?
Send us the request from the foreign office and we will tell you exactly what they need.
How it works
Birth certificate legalisation in 5 steps
The exact route depends on your destination country, but most birth certificates follow this order.
Document check
We confirm you have the right version. Old or damaged certificates may need a JPN replacement first.
Certified translation
If your destination asks for it, we arrange a certified English or Arabic translation. For some embassies this is done after legalisation.
Wisma Putra
The Ministry of Foreign Affairs Malaysia authenticates the document and signatures.
Embassy legalisation
Your destination country’s embassy or high commission in KL adds its stamp.
Back to you
We courier the legalised certificate to you, in Malaysia or overseas.
The process can vary depending on the embassy. Some embassies, such as the German Embassy, only stamp the original document, so the translation is done after legalisation, not before. Some countries also add a step after arrival, such as a stamp from their own foreign ministry. We confirm the exact order for your embassy before we start.
Apostille or legalisation?
Is it the same as an apostille?
No. As of 2026, Malaysia is not a party to the Hague Apostille Convention, so Malaysian documents cannot be apostilled. They go through legalisation instead.
Apostille
One certificate, Hague Convention countries
A single stamp accepted between countries that belong to the Hague Apostille Convention.
Legalisation · the route we handle
Wisma Putra, then the embassy
The route for Malaysian documents, because Malaysia is not an apostille country. If a foreign office asks you for an “apostille”, send us their request and we will confirm what they will accept.
Already living abroad? You don’t need to fly back
Many of our clients are working in the Gulf, Singapore, the UK or Australia. You send us the document and an authorisation letter, and our Kuala Lumpur team handles every counter visit and follow-up for you. Whether we need the original or a scan depends on the embassy: if the embassy does not stamp the original, a scanned copy is usually enough. We tell you which before you send anything.
YOUSend a scan, or courier the original if your embassy needs it
WEHandle JPN, Wisma Putra and the embassy
YOUReceive it back, ready to use
Checklist
What we need from you
✓
Birth certificate: scan or original
A clear scan is usually enough. We only need the original if your embassy stamps it. A JPN replacement also works.
✓
MyKad or passport copy
Of the certificate holder, or the parent for a child’s certificate.
✓
Destination and purpose
The country, and what the document is for: visa, marriage, school and so on.
✓
Signed authorisation letter
We prepare it for you, so we can submit and collect on your behalf.
Timeline & fees
How long it takes and what it costs
Start at least 4 weeks before your visa or appointment date. Embassy queues and public holidays can add days. Read more on how long document attestation takes in Malaysia.
| Destination | Typical timeline | Fee from |
|---|---|---|
| United Arab Emirates | 15 working days | RM 600 |
| Saudi Arabia | 10 working days | RM 500 |
| Qatar | 10 working days | RM 600 |
| Other countries | 7 working days | RM 450 |
Timelines depend on embassy processing. Translation and courier costs are quoted separately.
Why Settle My Docs
The right sequence, first time
Based in Kuala Lumpur
Our team visits Wisma Putra and the embassies in person.
No rejections
We check each country’s current requirements before we start.
Updates on WhatsApp
At every stage, plus order tracking on our website.
Clients worldwide
We courier the finished document wherever you are.
FAQ
Frequently asked questions
Do you need my original birth certificate, or is a scan enough?
It depends on the embassy. If the embassy does not stamp the original document, a clear scanned copy is usually enough. Some embassies, such as the German Embassy, only stamp originals, and then we need the original. We confirm this for your destination before you send anything.
My birth certificate is old or damaged. What can I do?
Some authorities reject certificates that are faded, torn or hand-written. A replacement copy from JPN is then the safest option. Send us a photo first and we will tell you whether yours can be used.
Do I need a translation?
It depends on the destination. Many countries ask for a certified English translation, and Gulf countries often ask for Arabic. We arrange certified translations as part of the service.
Can someone else submit the documents for me?
Yes. With your signed authorisation letter, our team submits and collects the documents on your behalf, so you do not need to visit Wisma Putra or the embassy yourself.
Can I legalise my child’s birth certificate?
Yes. Parents often legalise a child’s birth certificate for family visas and school enrolment abroad. We will also need a copy of the parent’s identification.
Which other documents are often legalised together?
Families moving overseas often legalise their marriage certificate, degree certificates and a certificate of good conduct at the same time. See our list of documents to attest before moving overseas.
Ready to legalise your birth certificate?
Tell us the destination country and what the document is for, and we will send you the exact steps, timeline and fee. You can also check the country attestation guide or read where to get documents attested in Malaysia.