The Government of Vietnam has officially applied the Apostille Convention (The Hague Convention of 5 October 1961 Abolishing the Requirement of Legalisation for Foreign Public Documents) starting September 11, 2026. This new regulation marks a major step forward in streamlining administrative procedures, saving significant time and costs for foreign individuals and enterprises filing documents in Vietnam.
1. Core Change: Ruttish 2-Step Process Reduced to 1 Step
Prior to September 11, 2026: Public documents issued abroad (Criminal Record, Diplomas, Work Experience Certificates, Marriage Certificates, etc.) required a complex two-step consular legalization process to be used in Vietnam:
- Obtain certification from the Ministry of Foreign Affairs of the issuing country.
- Obtain consular legalization from the Vietnamese Embassy/Consulate in that host country.
From September 11, 2026 Onward: Implementation of the “One-Step Process”:
- Documents only require an Apostille Stamp/Certificate issued by the competent authority of the country of origin (e.g., Ministry of Foreign Affairs of Japan – Gaimusho, Ministry of Foreign Affairs of South Korea, U.S. Department of State, etc.).
- Documents bearing an Apostille stamp are directly recognized in Vietnam WITHOUT requiring further consular legalization at the Vietnamese Embassy/Consulate.
- Upon arrival in Vietnam, you only need to obtain a notarized translation into Vietnamese before submitting them to local authorities.
2. Scope of Application and Exceptions
Scope of Application: Applies bilaterally between Vietnam and 125 member states of the Convention (including Japan, South Korea, USA, UK, France, Australia, China, Singapore, India, etc.).
Exceptions (Consular Legalization Still Required):
- Member countries objecting to Vietnam’s accession: Germany, Austria, Czech Republic.
- Thailand: The Convention takes effect on February 28, 2027.
- Territory of Greenland.
3. Practical Guidance for Foreign Nationals Processing Documents in Vietnam
Case 1: Documents prepared in the country of origin (Applications for Work Permit – WP, Temporary Residence Card – TRC, Investment, etc.)
- Step 1: Obtain original documents (Criminal Record, Diplomas, Transcripts, Work Experience Certificates, Certificate of Incorporation, etc.) in your home country.
- Step 2: Obtain an Apostille stamp/certificate from the competent authority in your home country (e.g., Ministry of Foreign Affairs or authorized agencies).
- Step 3: Bring the Apostille-certified documents to Vietnam, obtain a notarized translation into Vietnamese, and submit your application to the relevant Vietnamese authorities.
Case 2: Documents issued directly in Vietnam by Foreign Embassies/Consulates
- Documents issued or extracted directly by foreign diplomatic missions in Vietnam (e.g., Extract of Marriage Certificate, Certificate of Marital Status issued by the Japanese, South Korean, or U.S. Embassy/Consulate in Vietnam): Exempt from both Apostille and Consular Legalization.
- Procedure: Take the official extract/certificate directly to a District Justice Division or Notary Office in Vietnam for notarized translation into Vietnamese for immediate use.
4. Legal Support Services for Foreign Enterprises and Individuals
Wacontre is committed to accompanying enterprises from the initial market research and survey phase, legal documentation preparation, and business registration, through to official system operations, ensuring absolute compliance with the latest statutory updates.
If you have any questions, please contact our Hotline at (028) 3820 1213 or email us at [email protected] for prompt consultation and support. With an experienced team, Service thanhlap.wacontre.com is always ready to serve customers in the most enthusiastic and efficient manner. (For Japanese customers, please contact Hotline: (050) 5534 5505).
