An apostille is a simplified certification for countries that are part of the Hague Apostille Convention. Legalization is a multi-step certification process for countries that are not convention members. Vietnam has been a member of the Hague Apostille Convention since 2015.
Document legalization
Embassy and consular document legalization assistance in Vietnam.
Need to have your documents legalized, authenticated, or apostilled for use at an embassy or consulate in Vietnam? We provide document preparation support — reviewing your documents, helping complete the required forms, and guiding you through the submission process with the relevant Vietnamese authorities and foreign missions.
Our support
How we assist with document legalization.
Document review
We review your documents to confirm what legalization path applies — apostille (Hague Convention) or full consular legalization — and what steps are needed for your specific document type.
Notarization follow-up
Many documents require notarization at a local notary public before they can proceed. We help identify the correct notary type and prepare your documents for the notarization step.
Department & ministry authentication
Vietnamese documents typically need authentication through the Department of Justice (Sở Tư Pháp) and/or the Ministry of Foreign Affairs (MOFA) before embassy submission. We help prepare and coordinate these steps.
Embassy submission guidance
Once your documents are authenticated domestically, we guide you on the embassy or consulate submission process — what forms are required, appointment procedures, and document handling instructions.
Apostille vs legalization
Understanding the document authentication process in Vietnam.
Vietnam became a member of the Hague Apostille Convention in 2015, which simplified the process for documents going to other member countries. For non-member countries, the full chain of consular legalization is still required. The typical path includes:
- Step 1: Notarization at a local notary public (if required)
- Step 2: Authentication at the Department of Justice (Sở Tư Pháp)
- Step 3: Certification at the Ministry of Foreign Affairs (MOFA) or an authorized office
- Step 4: Final legalization at the destination country's embassy in Hanoi or consulate in HCMC
Hague member since2015
Authentication authorityMOFA — Hanoi & HCMC
Processing scopeNationwide
Common documentsDegrees, certificates, contracts
FAQ
Common questions about document legalization in Vietnam.
Common documents include university degrees, marriage certificates, birth certificates, business licenses, powers of attorney, contracts, court judgments, and corporate documents intended for use outside Vietnam.
Timelines depend on the document type, the number of steps required (department authentication, Ministry of Justice, Ministry of Foreign Affairs, embassy), and the specific embassy involved. Contact us with your documents for an estimated timeline.
Many documents require notarization as a first step before they can proceed through the legalization chain. We can help with notarization follow-up as part of the document preparation process.
This depends on the country and the document type. Some embassies in Hanoi handle all legalization, while others allow submission at their consulate in Ho Chi Minh City. We can help determine the correct submission point for your documents.
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Need help with document legalization?
Tell us what documents you need legalized and where they're going. We'll outline the process and tell you what support we can provide.
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Contact Us
Reach us via WhatsApp, phone, or email to discuss your document legalization needs.