Issuance/Amendment of Birth Certificate After Adoption in Vietnam (Latest Updates)

New adoptive parents may find the post-adoption process particularly challenging: With the finalization of their adoption, the child’s personal documents, especially the birth certificate, need to be amended to reflect their current situation.

Explore the legal hurdles of birth certificate issuance and amendments for adopted children in Vietnam through this article from Thao & Co.

Is It Possible to Amend a Birth Certificate After Adoption?

Under Vietnam’s regulations, a birth certificate can be amended after adoption, but only in certain cases. An amended birth certificate may only be issued when the adoptive parents have completed all required stages of the adoption process.

Amendments could be applied to:

1. • Name of the biological parents
2. • Name and ethnicity of the adoptees
3. • Nationality of the child (in cases of international adoption)

For adopted children aged 9 or older, their consent is required for any name change.

When is Amendment After Adoption Not Allowed for Birth Certificates?

Certain amendments are allowed, except for the following cases:

1. 👉 Insufficient legal basis: If the adoption is not formally recognized by the Vietnamese authorities (through an official decision) or does not comply with legal adoption procedures, any request to amend the birth certificate will be denied.
2. 👉 Request to amend the information of biological parents: This information cannot be amended, except when the child is abandoned and there is no existing records of their parents.
3. 👉 Lack of consent from the adopted child: For adopted children aged 9 or older, their explicit consent is required for all amendments to their birth certificate.
4. 👉 Request to amend the ethnicity and gender of the child: The child’s record of ethnicity and gender cannot be changed after adoption. If the child’s ethnicity is undocumented due to abandonment, they may take the ethnicity of the adoptive parents.
5. 👉 Legal disputes over adoption: Ongoing adoption disputes between the biological parents and adoptive parents may prevent amendments to the birth certificate.

Sample Document of Birth Certificate

If the request for amendment or re-issuance is approved, you will receive a birth certificate similar to this:

Birth Certificate Issuance Process for Adopted Infants

If your child doesn’t have an existing birth certificate, skip to “For Children Without a Birth Certificate.” The following procedure is reserved for the re-issuance or amendment of existing information on the child’s original birth certificate.

For Children with an Existing Birth Certificate

There are 4 steps to request amendment to your child’s existing birth certificate:

1. 👉 Step 1: Biological parents and adoptive parents reach an agreement on what information to change.
2. 👉 Step 2: The adoptive parents submit an amendment request to the commune-level People’s Committee. This is the place to which parents register their child’s birth.
3. 👉 Step 3: The registrar records the amendment in the official birth registration book.
4. 👉 Step 4: The original birth certificate is revoked and replaced by a new one with updated information.

For Children Without a Birth Certificate

Follow these steps to obtain a birth certificate if your child doesn’t have one:

Step 1: Prepare the required documents:

1. 👉 Birth registration declaration form
2. 👉 A certificate of live birth or written confirmation from a witness of the child’s birth
3. 👉 Adoption certificate of the adoptive parents
4. 👉 Household registration book of the adoptive parents
5. 👉 Marriage certificate (if the adoptive parents are a married couple)
6. 👉 ID of the adoptive parents

Step 2: The adoptive parents submit the application to the commune-level People’s Committee at their permanent residence location or that of the child.

Step 3: The local authorities process the application and issue the birth certificate.

If you are a foreign national, the procedure will become significantly different. Learn more from our detailed guide on procedures for foreigners adopting children from Vietnam.

Reliable International Adoption Support Services for Foreigners in Vietnam

Adoption is a life-changing decision for both the parent and the child. However, the process comes with its own set of challenges and uncertainty, especially for foreign nationals.

Look for a trusted adoption service provider and benefit from the professional guidance that helps families navigate the legal landscape of adoption with confidence.

Thao & Co. is ready to assist with every step on your adoption journey, from the paperwork to the finalization of adoption.

Our seasoned legal specialists will guide you through the preparation of a complete and accurate adoption dossier. Your documents will be ready for legal procedures within a reasonable deadline, all for a competitive cost.

Beyond our streamlined adoption support, Thao & Co. offers a comprehensive suite of additional services, including:

1. • Notarized translation of required documents for the adoption dossier
2. • Interpreting services for communication with the authorities and the locals
3. • Assistance with immigration procedures for seamless travel between Vietnam and the adoptive parents’ country.

Still have questions? Contact us today for a detailed and personalized consultation.