How to obtain an apostille in Vietnam (and what to do instead)
If you are looking to obtain an apostille in Vietnam, the most important point to understand upfront is this:
Vietnam is not a party to the Hague Apostille Convention.
As a result, apostilles are not issued in Vietnam, and Vietnamese documents cannot be apostilled.
Instead, Vietnam uses the traditional consular legalisation process, which serves a similar purpose but involves more steps. This article explains why apostilles are unavailable in Vietnam and provides a clear, step-by-step guide to the correct alternative process.
Why apostilles are not available in Vietnam
The Apostille Convention replaces embassy legalisation only between countries that are both Convention members. Because Vietnam has not acceded to the Convention:
- Vietnamese authorities cannot issue apostilles
- Foreign countries cannot accept apostilles for Vietnamese documents
- Embassy or consular legalisation is still required
This applies regardless of whether the destination country is a Convention member (for example, Australia, the US, or EU states).
The correct alternative: consular legalisation
To use a Vietnamese document overseas, you must follow consular legalisation, which typically involves:
- Certification in Vietnam
- Authentication by Vietnam’s Ministry of Foreign Affairs
- Legalisation by the destination country’s embassy or consulate
Only after completing these steps will the document be recognised abroad.
Authorities involved in Vietnam
The key Vietnamese authority is the Ministry of Foreign Affairs of Vietnam, acting through its Department of Consular Affairs in Hanoi and the Department of External Relations in Ho Chi Minh City.
Foreign embassies in Vietnam then complete the final legalisation step.
Documents commonly legalised in Vietnam
Civil and personal documents
- Birth certificates
- Marriage certificates
- Divorce certificates
- Death certificates
- Police clearance certificates
Educational documents
- Degrees and diplomas
- Academic transcripts
- School certificates
Legal and commercial documents
- Powers of attorney
- Affidavits and declarations
- Company registration documents
- Contracts and corporate resolutions
Note:
Private documents must usually be notarised by a Vietnamese notary before they can be legalised.
Step-by-step: how to legalise documents in Vietnam
Step 1: Prepare the document
Ensure you have:
- The original document or
- A certified true copy issued by the relevant authority
Private documents must first be notarised in Vietnam.
Step 2: Translation (if required)
Most destination countries require documents to be translated into:
- English, or
- The official language of the receiving country
Translations are usually completed before legalisation, and both the original and the translation are legalised together.
Step 3: Authentication by Vietnam’s Ministry of Foreign Affairs
Submit the document to the Department of Consular Affairs (MOFA) in Hanoi or the relevant authorised office.
This step:
- Confirms the authenticity of the Vietnamese signature, seal, or stamp
- Is equivalent to the “apostille step” in Convention countries, but does not replace embassy legalisation
Step 4: Legalisation by the foreign embassy or consulate
After MOFA authentication, the document must be submitted to the embassy or consulate of the destination country in Vietnam.
The embassy:
- Verifies the MOFA authentication
- Applies its own legalisation stamp or certificate
Step 5: Use the document overseas
Once embassy legalisation is complete, the document can be used in the destination country for purposes such as:
- Immigration and visas
- Marriage registration
- Court proceedings
- Education and employment
- Business and corporate matters
Vietnam legalisation vs apostille (quick comparison)
| Issue | Vietnam | Apostille countries |
|---|---|---|
| Vietnam a Hague member | ❌ No | ✅ Yes |
| Apostille available | ❌ No | ✅ Yes |
| MOFA authentication required | ✅ Yes | ❌ No |
| Embassy legalisation required | ✅ Yes | ❌ No |
| Processing time | Longer | Shorter |
Common mistakes to avoid
- Requesting an apostille for Vietnamese documents
This will always be refused—apostilles do not exist in Vietnam. - Skipping MOFA authentication
Embassies will not legalise documents without it. - Incorrect translation sequencing
Translations done after legalisation usually invalidate the process.
Practical tips
- Processing times vary significantly by document type and embassy, so allow extra time.
- If you are outside Vietnam, appointing a Vietnam-based agent can save weeks.
- Even though legalisation certificates do not expire, receiving authorities may impose their own validity limits (especially for police certificates).