Is Apostille valid in Vietnam?

“Is Vietnam a party to the Apostille system?” is a question frequently posed by foreign individuals. Becoming a party to the Apostille Convention serves to expedite, by half, the legal process of authentication and consular certification of documents for foreigners in comparison to the prevailing practices.

So, what exactly is Apostille? What is the procedure for obtaining it, and does Apostille issued in Vietnam hold legal validity? Read on with this post from Thao & Co. and discover the answers.

Overview of Apostille

The term “Apostille” originates from the French language with the meaning “certification”. Apostille certification is understood as the process of verifying the signatures and seals affixed to public documents of a given nation, ensuring their legal validity for use in one of the countries that are signatories to the Hague Apostille Convention, established on October 5, 1961, with provisions for the abolition of consular legalization requirements for foreign legal documents.

The competent authority for granting an Apostille is typically the Ministry of Foreign Affairs or diplomatic missions, consular agencies, or other duly authorized entities responsible for consular functions in foreign countries.

Does Vietnam participate in the Apostille Convention?

The scope of application for Apostille certification extends to the nations and territorial regions that have become members of the Hague Convention. These nations are exempted from consular legalization requirements for documents originating from other member states when used within the treaty bloc. Presented below is a roster of 126 countries currently participating in the Apostille Convention:

However, Vietnam does not belong to the list of countries participating in this convention. Therefore, Apostille cannot be used in Vietnam yet. Consular authorities do not act as intermediaries in the process of issuing Apostille.

Foreign documents in Vietnam: Apostille or consular legalization?

As of the present, Vietnam is not a member of the Hague Apostille Convention. Thus, foreign documents and papers intended for use in Vietnam must undergo consular legalization rather than Apostille.

If you require consular legalization of foreign documents, it is advisable to thoroughly acquaint yourself with the procedures for consular certification in Vietnam to avoid any potential complications.

How to obtain Apostille in Vietnam?

If you are currently residing in Vietnam and possess documents that require Apostille certification for use in countries under the Hague Convention, it is necessary to seek assistance from a multi-national Apostille service provider to undertake the following procedures abroad: 

1. ● Step 1: Foreign individuals prepare a dossier for Apostille application, including: A declaration form and requested documents certified by a diplomatic mission, consular office, or other authorized agency, the original or scanned copy of personal identification documents, notarized translations of documents, and Apostille issuance applications in the required language.
2. ● Step 2: You may be requested to provide additional documents and materials for verification by the competent authorities if deemed necessary.
3. ● Step 3: After cross-referencing the title, seal, and signature on the certification from the foreign competent authority on the documents, the Ministry of Foreign Affairs of the applicant’s country will decide whether to issue the Apostille or not.
4. ● Step 4: The Ministry of Foreign Affairs returns the result to the applicant. If you are obtaining Apostille through a service provider, they will return the result upon completion.

Professional multi-national Apostille service

The process of applying for an Apostille is intricately tied to legal matters and can potentially pose challenges for many individuals. Without a thorough understanding of the regulations and procedures, you not only risk investing a substantial amount of time, effort, and financial resources in completing the process but also face the possibility of having your application denied. 

To minimize risks, mitigate errors, and ensure the attainment of an Apostille certification, you can opt for the professional, multi-national Notarized Translation and Apostille services offered by Thao & Co.

We commit to assisting you in acquiring legally valid documents for use in your desired country. Below are the benefits you receive when choosing the services at Thao & Co. translation company:

1. ● Accurate and precise translation of documents in the Apostille application dossier
2. ● Free Certification of Translation Accuracy issued by Thao & Co.
3. ● Support for various types of notarized translation as per your requirements
4. ● Highly skilled and legally proficient translators with extensive experience in Apostille certification applications
5. ● Transparent and systematic workflow
6. ● Competitive and transparent translation and Apostille application fees
7. ● You can easily interact with linguists and track project progress through Thao & Co.’s proprietary platform. 

Above are the clarifications regarding the legal validity of Apostille in Vietnam. In summary, Vietnam is not a signatory to the Hague Convention, and therefore, Apostille certificates are not in effect here. Instead, you must undergo consular legalization to ensure the legal validity of their documents for use in Vietnam. 

Furthermore, if you require Apostille for use in other countries, please contact Thao & Co. via our Get a Quote page. Our dedicated specialists will provide prompt assistance!