Quick Certified Translation Guide for Malaysia <> New Zealand (2025)
1. Procedure
1.1 All documents not in English must be translated into English. All documents must be translated in full. Partial translations of certificates or any documents may not be accepted [1].
1.2 For documents issued in Malaysia, the New Zealand High Commission in Malaysia accepts the following translation stamps:
(i) Institut Terjemahan & Buku Malaysia (ITBM);
(ii) Malaysian Translators Association (MTA); or
(iii) High Court Interpreters [2].
1.3 MYLegalTrans’ team is certified by:
(i) ITBM;
(ii) MTA;
(iv) Kuala Lumpur High Court; and
(v) Sarawak High Court.
1.4 The New Zealand authorities require Certified Translation with the following details:
(i) official English translation of a person’s name as appeared in identity
document(s), if applicable;
(ii) the translator’s official letterhead;
(iii) a statement of certification as a correct translation by the translator;
(iv) the translator’s official stamp or signature; and
(v) a statement of no personal relationship [3].
2. FAQs
2.1 What does Certified Translation mean? How is it different from non-certified translation?
The New Zealand government does not accept translations completed by the named person, his/her family members, or the immigration adviser assisting with his/her application. Certified Translation is done by a reputable, official translation business who can certify its neutrality [4]. In practice, private entities in New Zealand usually follow its government’s guidelines when it comes to Certified Translation.
For documents issued in Malaysia, the New Zealand government accepts Certified Translation provided by one of the following Malaysian statutory organisations:
(i) ITBM, formerly known as the Malaysian National Institute of Translation (ITNM), established based on the approval of a cabinet meeting in 1992 following a memorandum from the Minister of Education [5]. As a limited company, its share capital is wholly owned by the Ministry of Finance and its administration is managed by the Ministry of Education [6].
(ii) MTA, a voluntary professional body established under the auspices of Dewan Bahasa dan Pustaka (DBP), is the sole Malaysian member of the International Federation of Translators (FIT) [7], an international organisation which has consultative status with UNESCO [8]. DBP is established based on the Dewan Bahasa dan Pustaka Act 1959 and its administration is managed by the Ministry of Education [9].
(iii) High Court Interpreters, governed by the Practising Certificates Unit and supervised by the High Court of Malaya [10].
A translation is considered certified when it is registered with ITBM, MTA or HC.
2.2 Why does Certified Translation take so long even for documents with just a few words?
For the NZ authorities, before certification, the translation goes through the following processes:
(i) Text extraction
The translation process begins with text extraction and formatting by a DTP specialist, with inquiries about untranslatable or unclear text.
(ii) Translation
Translations are handled by a certified translator.
(iii) First Review
The first review is conducted by a certified translator.
(iv) DTP & Formatting
DTP and formatting ensures the translated document mirrors the original.
(v) Final Review & Certificate of Translation
A final review is done by a certified translator, with an ITBM/MTA/HC stamp applied.
The translation is then recorded by the stamping organisation.
2.3 Can I submit a softcopy or photocopy of the Certified Translation to the NZ authorities?
It depends. Most NZ authorities accept hardcopy Certified Translation with the original stamp. However, private entities may accept softcopy Certified Translation.
Resources:
[1]-[4] Immigration New Zealand. (n.d.). Providing English translations of supporting documents. https://www.immigration.govt.nz/new-zealand-visas/preparing-a-visa-application/english-language/translating-supporting-documents-into-english.
[5] OIC Today. (n.d.). An interview with Sakri Bin Abdullah: Chief Executive Officer of ITBM. https://www.oictoday.biz/interview-details.php?id=517/an-interview-with-sakri-bin-abdullah-sakri-bin-abdullah.
[6] Institut Terjemahan & Buku Malaysia. (n.d.). Organisational structure. https://www.itbm.com.my/en/organisasi.
[7] International Federation of Translators. (n.d.). Members directory: Malaysia. https://en.fit-ift.org/members-directory/?country=MY.
[8] UNESCO Archives. (n.d.). International Federation of Translators. https://atom.archives.unesco.org/international-federation-of-translators.
[9] Section 4, the Dewan Bahasa dan Pustaka Act 1959 (Revised in 1978). https://lamanweb.dbp.gov.my/wp-content/uploads/2023/04/Akta-213-Akta-Dewan-Bahasa-dan-Pustaka-Disemak-1973.pdf.
[10] Kuala Lumpur Court Complex. (n.d.). Practising certificates unit. https://kl.kehakiman.gov.my/en/practicing-certificates-unit.