Procedure for Issuing Confirmation of Eligibility for Vietnamese Citizens Residing in Border Areas to Adopt Children from Neighboring Countries

The Procedure for issuing confirmation of eligibility for Vietnamese citizens permanently residing in border areas to adopt children of neighboring countries residing in border areas is a specific legal mechanism aimed at facilitating child care within border communities. This procedure not only ensures the best interests of the child but also contributes to strengthening the friendship and solidarity between the two nations. Long Phan Consulting Company provides detailed instructions on the process below.

Requirements and conditions for carrying out the procedure to issue a certificate confirming that Vietnamese citizens residing in border areas are eligible to adopt children from neighboring countries residing in border areas.

Based on Section B.2, Part II of Decision 3671/QD-BTP dated December 25, 2025, Vietnamese citizens permanently residing in border areas who wish to adopt children from a neighboring country (residing in the opposite border area) must meet the following standards:

The prospective adoptive parent must meet the following criteria:

Civil Act Capacity: Must have full civil act capacity.

Age: Must be at least 20 years older than the adopted child.

• Exception: This condition does not apply to stepfathers/stepmothers adopting stepchildren, or biological aunts/uncles adopting nieces/nephews.

Material Conditions: Must have health, economic conditions, and accommodation to ensure the care, nurturing, and education of the adopted child.

• Exception: This does not apply to stepfathers/stepmothers or biological aunts/uncles adopting nieces/nephews.

Moral Character: Must have good moral character.

Prohibited Cases: Individuals falling into one of the following categories are not eligible:

• Currently having some parental rights over a minor restricted.
• Serving an administrative handling decision at an educational or medical treatment establishment.
• Serving a prison sentence.
• Having an unexpunged criminal record for crimes regarding: intentional infringement of life, health, dignity, and honor; maltreatment of relatives; enticing or coercing minors to violate the law; buying, selling, swapping, or appropriating children.

Which agency has the authority to process the application for a certificate confirming that Vietnamese citizens residing in border areas are eligible to adopt children from neighboring countries also residing in border areas?

Unlike general inter-country adoption procedures (provincial level), this procedure is decentralized to the grassroots level to facilitate border residents:

• Decision-making and Implementation Authority: The Commune-level People’s Committee (CPC) where the adopter permanently resides.
• Coordinating Agency: The agency managing the judicial record database.

>>>See more: Combined Birth And Parentage Registration in Vietnam

What documents are included in the application file?

The required documents are specified in Section B.2, Part II of Decision 3671/QD-BTP, including:

• Application for adoption;
• A health certificate issued by a general hospital, multi-specialty clinic, or regional health center is valid if it was issued no more than 6 months prior to the date of application submission to the People’s Committee of the commune.
• A document confirming family circumstances, housing situation, and economic conditions issued by the People’s Committee of the commune where the adoptive parent resides is valid if it was issued no more than 6 months prior to the date of application submission to the People’s Committee of the commune.

Note: the quantity is 01 set. Erasing or altering documents to falsify content is strictly prohibited and renders the documents invalid.

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• Adoption application;

• A document confirming the family circumstances, housing situation, and economic conditions of the prospective adoptive parent..

Procedure for issuing a certificate confirming that Vietnamese citizens residing in border areas are eligible to adopt children from neighboring countries residing in border areas.

The standardized process consists of 03 main steps:

Step 1: Submission of Dossier Citizens submit the dossier to the Commune-level PC where they reside via: Direct submission, Postal service, or Online (National Public Service Portal/VNeID).

Step 2: Information Extraction and Dossier Check The Commune-level PC is responsible for exploiting electronic data to replace traditional paper documents:

• National Population Database: Replaces ID cards/Citizen Identity Cards.
• Electronic Civil Status Database: Replaces Marriage Certificates or Marital Status Confirmation.

Handling incomplete dossiers:

• Online submission: Notification to supplement within 08 working hours.
• Direct/Postal submission: Issuance of a request form to supplement within 01 working day.

Step 3: Verification and Issuance of Confirmation

• The Commune-level PC requests the judicial record management agency to provide criminal record information.
• Within 10 working days from the date of receiving a valid dossier, the Commune-level PC checks and issues the written confirmation of eligibility for adoption.
• Post-Result Action: After completing the adoption registration at the competent authority of the neighboring country, the adopter must return to the Commune-level PC to perform the procedure for recording the adoption (ghi chú việc nuôi con nuôi) in the civil status book.

>>>See more: Registering a Foreign Marriage in Vietnam

Consulting and authorization services for the procedure of issuing certificates confirming that Vietnamese citizens residing in border areas are eligible to adopt children from neighboring countries residing in border areas.

Long Phan Consulting Company provides comprehensive support for Clients in border areas:

• Eligibility Advice: Assessing the ability to meet specific legal standards for border regions.
• Dossier Drafting: Assisting in preparing applications and guiding the acquisition of health and circumstance confirmations.
• Authorized Representation: Submitting dossiers on behalf of the client, monitoring progress at the Commune-level PC, and receiving results.
• Recording Support: Guiding the procedure to record the adoption in Vietnam after completion in the neighboring country.

Some frequently asked questions when carrying out the procedure.

Long Phan Consulting provides a list of frequently asked questions regarding the procedure for obtaining a certificate confirming that Vietnamese citizens permanently residing in border areas are eligible to adopt children from neighboring countries who also reside in border areas. We invite our clients and readers who are interested in this procedure to review the following information for better understanding and reference.

Is there a state fee for this procedure?

No. The procedure for issuing confirmation of eligibility for Vietnamese citizens residing in border areas to adopt children from neighboring countries is free of charge. (Legal Basis: Section B.2, Part II, Decision 3671/QD-BTP).

Can I submit the dossier online?

Yes. This procedure qualifies as a full-process online public service. Citizens can submit via the National Public Service Portal. (Legal Basis: Section B.2, Part II, Decision 3671/QD-BTP).

What is the processing time?

The time limit is 10 working days from the date the Commune-level PC receives a valid dossier. (Legal Basis: Step 3 of Implementation Sequence, Section B.2, Part II, Decision 3671/QD-BTP).

Does the adopted child have the right to know their biological parents?

Yes. The law stipulates that adopted children have the right to know their origins, and no one is allowed to obstruct this right. (Legal Basis: Article 11, Law on Adoption 2010).

What must I do after receiving the confirmation certificate?

After receiving the confirmation from the Commune-level PC, you must proceed to register the adoption with the competent authority of the neighboring country. Once completed abroad, you must return to the Commune-level PC of your residence to perform the procedure for recording the adoption in the Vietnamese civil status registers. (Legal Basis: Step 3 of Implementation Sequence, Section B.2, Part II, Decision 3671/QD-BTP).

If I adopt my biological niece (sister’s child) across the border, do I need to prove income?

No. Cases where biological aunts, uncles, or grandparents adopt their nieces/nephews/grandchildren are exempt from the requirements to prove economic conditions, accommodation, and the age difference requirement. (Legal Basis: Section B.2, Part II, Decision 3671/QD-BTP).

How long is the Health Certificate valid?

The Health Certificate is valid for use if issued not more than 06 months prior to the date of dossier submission. (Legal Basis: Dossier Components, Section B.2, Part II, Decision 3671/QD-BTP).

Conclusion

Strict compliance with the procedure for issuing confirmation of eligibility for Vietnamese citizens residing in border areas to adopt children from neighboring countries is the legal basis for protecting the legitimate rights of all parties. Dossiers and conditions must be prepared accurately to avoid prolonged appraisal times. For in-depth legal support and representation, please contact Long Phan Consulting Company via Hotline 1900 63 63 89.