Combined Birth And Parentage Registration in Vietnam

The combined birth and parentage registration in Vietnam is a specific civil status procedure, applied when concurrently registering a child’s birth and establishing a parent-child relationship involving a foreign national or an overseas Vietnamese. This article by Long Phan Consulting Company will analyze the procedure in detail according to current regulations.

Competent Authority

According to Sub-item 8, Section A, Part II of the Administrative Procedures amended and supplemented in the civil status sector, issued with Decision No. 1833/QD-BTP dated June 23, 2025, the competent authority for the combined birth and parentage registration with foreign elements is as follows:

• Decision-Making Authority: The Commune-level People’s Committee of the place of residence of the Vietnamese father or mother carries out the combined birth registration and parent-child recognition where one party is a foreign national or an overseas Vietnamese.
• Implementing Authority: The Civil Status and Justice Officer receives the dossier and advises the leadership of the Commune-level People’s Committee.
• Coordinating Agencies: The Commune-level People’s Committee of the residence of the person being recognized as a parent or child, and the National Population Database Management Agency.

Required Dossier

As stipulated in Sub-item 8, Section A, Part II of the Administrative Procedures issued with Decision No. 1833/QD-BTP, you need to submit/present the following documents:

Documents to be Submitted

• Birth Registration Application Form (Form No. 1, Appendix 5 of Circular No. 04/2024/TT-BTP).
• Parent-Child Recognition Application Form (Form No. 6, Appendix 5 of Circular No. 04/2024/TT-BTP).
• Birth Certificate.
  • If no Birth Certificate is available, a written statement from a witness confirming the birth must be submitted. If no witness statement is available, a sworn statement about the birth is required.
  • For children born abroad, a Birth Certificate or other document issued by a competent foreign authority confirming the child’s birth abroad and the mother-child relationship (if any) is required.
  • If the applicant submits an electronic Birth Certificate or if the civil status registration agency can access the digitally signed electronic data of the Birth Certificate, a paper copy is not required.
• If one or both parents are foreign nationals, a written agreement between the parents on the choice of nationality for the child is required. If the parents choose a foreign nationality for the child, in addition to the agreement, confirmation from the competent authority of the chosen country that the child’s nationality complies with that country’s laws is necessary.
• Evidence proving the father-child or mother-child relationship, which includes one of the following:
  • A document from a medical authority, an assessment body, or another competent organization in Vietnam or abroad confirming the parent-child relationship.
  • If the above evidence is unavailable, a written statement of assurance from the parties recognizing the parent-child relationship, with at least two witnesses, is required.
  • For parent-child recognition between a Vietnamese citizen and a foreign national or between two foreign nationals, the foreign national must submit a copy of their passport or an equivalent travel document to prove their identity.

Documents to be Presented

• Passport/ID Card/Citizen Identity Card/Electronic Identity Card or other valid photo identification issued by a competent authority to prove the identity of the applicant.
• Documents proving residence information if the civil status registration agency cannot access this information through the methods specified in Clause 2, Article 14 of Decree No. 104/2022/ND-CP dated December 21, 2022. If this information is accessible from the National Population Database, the applicant does not need to present these documents.
• For a child born abroad to a Vietnamese parent or parents, who has not been registered in the foreign country and now resides in Vietnam, documents proving legal entry into Vietnam (such as a passport or international travel document with an entry stamp from immigration) and a confirmation from the competent police authority of the child’s residence in Vietnam must be presented.

Submission Method

Applicants for combined birth and parentage registration with foreign elements can submit the dossier directly or via the postal system to the Public Administration Service Center. One parent can submit the dossier without a power of attorney from the other.

Notes on Dossier Submission

According to Decision No. 1833/QD-BTP, please note the following when submitting the dossier:

• Individuals may choose to carry out the procedure at the civil status registration agency of their place of residence. If the chosen agency is not their permanent or temporary residence, that agency is responsible for assisting in submitting the application online to the correct competent authority.
• Applicants may submit certified copies, copies from original registers, or photocopies accompanied by the original documents for verification.
• The receiving officer must accept a complete and correct dossier as prescribed by law and must not request additional documents not required by civil status law.
• Foreign-issued documents must be consular legalized unless exempted under an international treaty to which Vietnam is a member.
• If a sworn statement is permitted, the registration agency must explain the legal responsibilities and consequences of providing false information.
• The determination of a child’s surname, ethnicity, and name must be consistent with Vietnamese law and cultural traditions.

Procedure

The procedure for the combined birth and parentage registration with foreign elements is regulated in Sub-item 8, Section A, Part II of the Administrative Procedures issued with Decision No. 1833/QD-BTP.

• Step 1: Dossier Submission The applicant submits the complete dossier at the competent Public Administration Service Center and pays any applicable fees for the registration and for issuance of copies of the certificates.
• Step 2: Dossier Review and Acceptance The receiving officer at the Public Administration Service Center checks the dossier for accuracy, completeness, and validity.
  • If the dossier is valid, it is accepted, and a receipt with an appointment date for the result is issued. The dossier is then transferred to the Civil Status and Justice Officer for processing.
  • If the dossier is incomplete or invalid, the applicant is notified to supplement or correct it.
  • If the applicant cannot complete the dossier, a notice of refusal will be issued.
• Step 3: Dossier Verification The Civil Status and Justice Officer verifies the dossier.
  • The officer conducts a verification and public posting of the parent-child recognition at the Commune-level People’s Committee headquarters for five working days. A request for a similar posting is sent to the place of residence of the person being recognized as a parent or child.
  • If the recognition is deemed valid without dispute and the birth information is complete and appropriate, the officer records the information in the relevant civil status registers and updates the electronic civil status management software. If Vietnamese nationality is chosen for the child, the information is sent to the National Population Database to obtain a Personal Identification Number.
• Step 4: Issuance of Results After the Personal Identification Number is received from the National Population Database, the officer prints the Birth Certificate and the Extract of Parent-Child Recognition. These are then signed by the leadership of the Commune-level People’s Committee and transferred to the Public Administration Service Center to be returned to the applicant.

>>> See more at:

• Guide: Foreign Child Registration in Vietnam
• Registering Parentage with Foreign Elements

Consulting Services at Long Phan Consulting Company

The combined birth and parentage registration with foreign elements is a complex procedure involving numerous documents and specific legal regulations. To help clients save time and ensure compliance, Long Phan Consulting Company offers a comprehensive service package, guiding you from the initial consultation and dossier preparation to working with competent authorities. Our services include:

• Analyzing and assessing the dossier and providing detailed advice on relevant legal regulations.
• Guiding clients in preparing all necessary documents, ensuring legality and accuracy.
• Assisting in drafting forms and documents according to official templates.
• Representing clients in submitting the dossier and working with competent authorities to resolve any issues.
• Closely monitoring the processing progress and providing regular updates to clients.
• Receiving and delivering the final results to the client.

Frequently Asked Questions (FAQ)

How many sets of dossiers are required?

You need to prepare one complete set of the dossier for the combined birth and parentage registration with foreign elements, including all the documents mentioned above.

How long is the processing time for this procedure?

According to Decision No. 1833/QD-BTP, the processing time for the combined birth and parentage registration with foreign elements is 10 days.

What results are received upon completion of the procedure?

Upon completion, you will receive the original Birth Certificate and Extract of Parent-Child Recognition, as well as copies of each if requested.

What are the fees and charges for this procedure?

Fees are determined by the provincial-level People’s Council. Fee exemptions are available for families of revolutionary contributors, poor households, and persons with disabilities. Fees for issuing copies of certificates are regulated by Circular No. 281/2016/TT-BTC.

Conclusion

The procedure for combined birth and parentage registration with foreign elements requires careful attention at every step, from preparing the dossier to working with the competent state agencies. If you require detailed consultation or service, please contact Long Phan Consulting Company at our hotline 1900636389 for prompt assistance.