Consular Legalization & Consular Authentication of Foreign Documents in Vietnam 2026

What are consular legalization and consular authentication?

Under Decree 111/2011/ND-CP these are two opposite procedures that are often confused. Understanding the difference helps you approach the right authority with the right documents.

Consular authentication is the act by which a competent Vietnamese authority certifies the seal, signature and title on a Vietnamese document so that it may be recognized and used abroad.

Consular legalization is the act by which a competent Vietnamese authority certifies the seal, signature and title on a foreign document so that it may be recognized and used in Vietnam.

Note: both procedures certify only the authenticity of the seal, signature and title; they do not certify the content or form of the document itself.

When is consular legalization required?

You need consular legalization when a document issued by a foreign authority must be recognized and used by an agency or organization in Vietnam. It is a very common step in matters involving foreign elements.

• Marriage registration or recording of a marriage with a foreign element.
• Investment procedures and establishment of foreign-invested (FDI) enterprises.
• Applications for work permits and temporary residence cards for foreigners.
• Recognition of diplomas, academic records and criminal record certificates issued abroad.
• Civil transactions, inheritance and powers of attorney supported by foreign documents.

Legal basis

Decree 111/2011/ND-CP on consular authentication and consular legalization (effective 1 February 2012) is the foundational instrument setting out the definitions, competent authorities, procedures and exemptions.

Circular 01/2012/TT-BNG of the Ministry of Foreign Affairs guides the implementation of Decree 111/2011/ND-CP, detailing the required dossier, application forms and the manner of receiving and processing files.

Because regulations may be amended or supplemented over time, you should check the original instrument in force and the latest notices from the Ministry of Foreign Affairs before submitting your file.

Competent authorities

In Vietnam, the authority for consular authentication and consular legalization rests with the Ministry of Foreign Affairs, exercised through the Consular Department (Hanoi), the Department of External Relations of Ho Chi Minh City, and certain agencies authorized by the Ministry.

Abroad, consular authentication and legalization are carried out by Vietnamese Representative Missions (Embassies and Consulates-General).

Choosing the right authority depends on the type of document and where it was issued; identifying this in advance helps you avoid having to resubmit the file.

Step-by-step process

For a foreign document to be used in Vietnam, the typical process comprises the following steps (an overview; please check current regulations):

• Step 1: Have the document certified or notarized in the issuing country.
• Step 2: Obtain certification by the Ministry of Foreign Affairs (or an equivalent body) of that country.
• Step 3: Legalize at the Vietnamese Representative Mission in that country, or at the Ministry of Foreign Affairs of Vietnam if the document already bears certification from that country's representative mission in Vietnam.
• Step 4: Obtain a notarized translation into Vietnamese for use in Vietnam.
• For a Vietnamese document to be used abroad, the process is reversed: consular authentication at the Ministry of Foreign Affairs of Vietnam, then legalization at the representative mission of the country where the document will be used.

Cases of exemption

Not every document must be legalized. Under Decree 111/2011/ND-CP, certain cases are exempt.

• Documents exempt under an international treaty to which Vietnam is a party.
• Documents exempt on the principle of reciprocity.
• Documents transferred directly between competent authorities under an agreement.
• You should check the current list of exemptions before proceeding to avoid unnecessary delay.

Fees, timing and a note on the Apostille

Fees and processing times are for reference only and may change under prevailing regulations; you should ask the receiving authority directly for accurate information at the time of submission.

An important note: Vietnam is not yet a party to the Hague Apostille Convention. Consequently, foreign documents for use in Vietnam generally still require consular legalization through the process above, unless exempt. A standalone Apostille is usually not sufficient for a document to be recognized in Vietnam.