How much are the costs for notarization/authentication of foreign documents?

Article overview

Notarization/authentication of foreign documents is an important procedure to help international papers, contracts, and documents be legally recognized in Vietnam. In addition, notarization and authentication costs may vary depending on the type of document and specific requirements, but will help protect your interests during activities in Vietnam. Next, let’s join Long Phan to learn information related to the notarization/authentication of foreign documents through the following article.

Cost of notarization/authentication of foreign documents in 2024
Cost of notarization/authentication of foreign documents in 2024

Which agency has the authority to notarize/authenticate foreign documents?

Pursuant to Point a, Clause 1, Article 5 of Decree 23/2015/ND-CP, Section 1.2 of Official Dispatch 1352/HTTQTCT-CT, the Justice Department of the district, town, and city of the province where the foreigner is living competent to authenticate foreign documents.

In addition, notary organizations can notarize foreign documents when qualified.

How is the notarization/authentication of foreign documents different from consular legalization?

Pursuant to Clause 1, Article 2 of the Law on Notarization 2014, notarization is an activity of a notary public certifying the accuracy, legality and not contrary to social ethics of the translation of documents from Vietnamese into a foreign language or vice versa again. Authentication is the confirmation by a competent authority of the truth of a document, document or personal signature without mentioning the content.

According to Clause 2, Article 2 of Decree 111/2011/ND-CP, consular legalization is the certification of seals and signatures on foreign documents by Vietnamese authorities to be recognized in Vietnam.

Although consular legalization, notarization, and authentication have many similarities, they are different activities.

  • First, consular legalization is performed by the Ministry of Foreign Affairs and diplomatic representative agencies, while notarization and authentication fall under the jurisdiction of commune-level, provincial-level agencies or notary practice organizations.
  • Second, notarization focuses on the legality and accuracy of content, ensuring foreign documents are legal when used in Vietnam. In contrast, consular authentication and legalization focus on form, with consular legalization being the first step that needs to be taken for foreign documents to be used in Vietnam, without requiring it to be done on copies as attestation.
Difference between notarization/authentication of foreign documents and consular legalization
Difference between notarization/authentication of foreign documents and consular legalization

When is it necessary to notarize/authenticate foreign documents?

Notarization/authentication of foreign documents is performed to limit legal risks as well as disputes after the process of using the document. Besides, in some cases, notarization and authentication are mandatory procedures for documents to be valid for transactions in Vietnam. Some foreign documents that need to be notarized and authenticated in Vietnam are:

  • Document on receipt of housing inheritance;
  • Translations of documents in foreign languages ​​used for civil status registration in Vietnam;
  • Authorization document for civil status registration;
  • Papers and documents sent by foreign agencies, organizations and individuals to Vietnamese Courts in administrative or civil cases;
  • Certificate of car sale/car donation/car donation of an individual;

Current costs for notarization/authentication of foreign documents

Regarding the current fee for notarization/authentication of foreign documents, it is stipulated in Article 4 of Circular 257/2016/TT-BTC, specifically in Clause 6 of this Article, the fee for notarization of translation: 10 thousand VND/ page with the first translation.

In case the notarization requester needs multiple translations, from the 2nd translation or more, 05 thousand VND/page will be charged for the first and second pages; From the 3rd page up, the fee is 3,000 VND/page but the maximum fee is not more than 200,000 VND/copy.

If authenticating signatures in papers and documents, it is 10 thousand VND/case (in case of one or more signatures in a paper or document).

Regulations on costs for notarization/authentication of foreign documents
Regulations on costs for notarization/authentication of foreign documents

Notary consulting services, document authentication, consular legalization for foreigners in Long Phan

At Long Phan, we provide consulting services on notary and authentication procedures, including:

  • Consulting on legal regulations related to notarization/authentication of documents, contracts and personal papers to ensure legality.
  • Consulting and implementing consular legalization procedures for foreign documents.
  • Support the translation of consular legalization documents.
  • Representative working with competent authorities.
  • Consulting support on other related issues.

At Long Phan, we provide consulting services on regulations on notary procedures, document authentication and consular legalization for foreigners in a professional and effective way. If you have any questions or need support or advice on other issues, please contact us via the hotline 0906735386 for detailed advice and quick support. Let Long Phan accompany you in all legal procedures.