Is it necessary to legalize a marriage certificate if a Vietnamese citizen is living abroad?
If you are wondering whether a marriage certificate issued abroad needs to be legalized in order to be recognized in Vietnam, the answer is: it may be required, depending on the specific country and the intended use of the document.
Legalization of a marriage certificate through consular procedures is mandatory if you wish to use the certificate abroad or have a foreign-issued certificate recognized in Vietnam (unless exempt under an international treaty). In short:
If you want to use a marriage certificate issued abroad for procedures in Vietnam, you must have it legalized according to Vietnamese regulations.
Conversely, if you want to use a marriage certificate issued in Vietnam abroad, you must have it certified by the consulate and legalized so it is legally valid in the foreign country.
When is legalization required, and when is it exempt?
1. When legalization is required
Vietnamese citizens residing abroad who wish to use a marriage certificate issued by the host country in Vietnam: This is very common. You must go through two steps — consular certification (in the country of issuance or by its diplomatic mission) and consular legalization (at the Ministry of Foreign Affairs of Vietnam or the Department of External Relations).
Those who have registered their marriage in Vietnam and want to use the certificate abroad: You must translate it, have it notarized, then obtain consular certification in Vietnam before legalizing it at the embassy/consulate of the destination country.
2. When legalization is exempt
Some countries have signed agreements with Vietnam to waive consular legalization (through Apostille or direct recognition). In such cases, you do not need to carry out legalization procedures, but you must carefully check the list of countries and applicable conditions.
Legalization process for a marriage certificate
A. Foreign-issued marriage certificate to be used in Vietnam
Consular certification in the country of issuance: Bring the original certificate and a translation (if not in Vietnamese or English) to the Vietnamese diplomatic or consular mission in that country to verify the signature and seal.
Consular legalization in Vietnam: Submit the application form, ID, original and certified copy of the certificate to:
Ministry of Foreign Affairs (40 Tran Phu, Hanoi), or
Department of External Relations in Ho Chi Minh City (6 Alexandre de Rhodes, District 1).
If the country of issuance is exempt from legalization, this step can be skipped according to the specified conditions.
B. Vietnamese-issued marriage certificate to be used abroad
Translate and notarize the certificate into the language of the destination country (if needed).
Obtain consular certification in Vietnam (Ministry of Foreign Affairs or Department of External Relations).
Have it legalized at the embassy/consulate of the destination country (according to that country’s regulations).
Processing time, costs, and important notes
Processing time
In Vietnam: valid applications are processed within 1 working day; for 10 or more documents: no more than 5 working days; if further verification is needed, it may take several additional days.
Abroad: typically 3–5 working days at the embassy/consulate.
Costs
In Vietnam:
Consular legalization: VND 30,000/document
Consular certification: VND 30,000/document
Issuing a copy: VND 5,000/document
Abroad: fees vary depending on the embassy/consulate; contact directly to confirm.
Conclusion
If you — as an individual or a Vietnamese citizen living abroad — are preparing for legal matters such as marriage registration, sponsorship, immigration, or civil status procedures, understanding whether you need to legalize your marriage certificate is a crucial first step.
Think of it not as a dry administrative task, but as a way to protect your legal rights and avoid unnecessary risks — especially during times when paperwork, deadlines, and emotions all matter. Always check the regulations in your host country, contact the relevant embassy, and if needed, seek help from a lawyer or a reputable legal service provider to guide you through each step. Doing it right from the start will save you worry, time, and give you peace of mind — truly allowing you to “settle down to build a life,” wherever in the world you live.
Contact DEDICA Law Firm for expert legal consultation!
📞 Hotline: (+84) 39 969 0012 (Available on WhatsApp, WeChat, and Zalo)
🏢 Head Office: 144 Vo Van Tan Street, Xuan Hoa Ward, Ho Chi Minh City (144 Vo Van Tan Street, Vo Thi Sau Ward, District 3, Ho Chi Minh City)
🕒 Business Hours: Monday – Friday (8:30 AM – 6:00 PM)
Reach out today for a free initial consultation with our team of professional lawyers!
