Registering a Foreign Marriage in Vietnam

The procedure for registering a foreign marriage is a legal process to recognize the validity of a marriage established at a competent foreign authority. This process ensures the legal standing of the marital relationship within Vietnam. This article clarifies the conditions, competent authorities, dossier requirements, and the step-by-step procedure for registering a foreign marriage under current law.

Conditions for the Administrative Procedure

The conditions for recording the marriage of Vietnamese citizens, which was previously resolved by a competent foreign authority abroad, are stipulated in Article 34 of Decree 123/2015/ND-CP dated November 15, 2015. Accordingly:

• The marriage between Vietnamese citizens or between a Vietnamese citizen and a foreigner, already processed by a competent foreign authority abroad, will be recorded in the Civil Status Book if, at the time of the marriage, both parties met the legal marriage conditions and did not violate any prohibitions under Vietnamese law.
• If, at the time of registration with the foreign authority, the marriage did not meet the conditions but did not violate legal prohibitions, and by the time of the request for civil registration, the consequences have been rectified or the registration is to protect the rights of Vietnamese citizens and children, the marriage will also be recorded in the Civil Status Book.

Competent Authority

According to Article 4 of Decree 120/2025/ND-CP dated June 11, 2025, which delineates the jurisdiction of the two levels of local government in the state management sector of the Ministry of Justice:

• The procedure for registering a foreign marriage falls under the jurisdiction of the Justice Division of the commune, ward, or special administrative-economic unit’s People’s Committee (hereinafter referred to as the commune-level People’s Committee).

Procedure for Registering a Foreign Marriage of a Vietnamese Citizen

Dossier Composition and Submission Method

The dossier components for the procedure of registering a foreign marriage are specified in Clause 1, Article 35 of Decree 123/2015/ND-CP. Specifically, it includes:

Documents to be submitted:

• A declaration form as prescribed.
• A copy of the marriage certificate issued by the competent foreign authority.
• If submitting the dossier via postal service, a copy of the personal identification documents of both the man and the woman must also be included. If a Vietnamese citizen has divorced or had a marriage annulled by a foreign authority, an extract regarding the civil status registration of the divorce or marriage annulment must be submitted as regulated.
• If the applicant authorizes another person to carry out the procedure, a legally notarized letter of authorization is required. If the authorized person is a grandparent, parent, child, spouse, or biological sibling of the authorizer, the letter of authorization does not need to be notarized.

Documents to be presented:

• Passport, ID card, Citizen Identity Card, electronic identity card, or other documents with a photo and personal information issued by a competent authority, still valid, to prove the identity of the applicant.
• If the personal information in these documents is already available in the National Population Database or the Electronic Civil Status Database and is auto-filled by the system, it does not need to be uploaded (for online applications).
• Documents proving residential information in cases where the civil status registration authority cannot access the citizen’s residency information through legal methods. If residency information has been extracted from the National Population Database, the applicant does not need to present (for in-person applications) or upload (for online applications) proof of residence.
• If submitting the dossier via postal service, a certified copy of the above-mentioned documents must be included.

The applicant can submit the dossier directly at the civil status registration office, send it via postal service, or register online as stipulated by law on online civil status registration, according to Clause 1, Article 3 of Decree 123/2015/ND-CP dated November 15, 2015 (amended and supplemented by Decree 07/2025/ND-CP dated January 09, 2025).

Note:

• Individuals have the right to choose the civil status registration office at their place of residence. The place of residence is determined by the law on residence.
• If an individual chooses a commune-level People’s Committee other than their place of permanent or temporary residence, the receiving People’s Committee is responsible for assisting the applicant in submitting the online civil status registration dossier to the correct competent authority.

>>> CLICK TO DOWNLOAD:

• MARRIAGE ANNOTATION DECLARATION FORM
• INTERACTIVE ELECTRONIC CIVIL STATUS TEMPLATE FOR RECORDING MARRIAGE IN THE CIVIL STATUS REGISTER

>>> See more at: Instructions for applying for marriage registration with foreigners

Procedure Steps

The procedure for registering a foreign marriage is stipulated in Article 35 of Decree 123/2015/ND-CP. It includes the following steps:

Step 1: Dossier Submission

• In-person: The applicant submits the dossier at the competent Public Administration Service Center, pays the fee if applicable for marriage registration, and pays the fee for a certified copy of the marriage registration extract if requested.
• Online: The applicant accesses the National Public Service Portal, authenticates their identity, logs into the system, and selects the competent commune-level People’s Committee. The applicant provides information via the interactive electronic civil status form, attaches scans or electronic copies of the required documents, and pays fees and charges online or through other regulated methods.

Step 2: Dossier Check and Acceptance

The receiving officer at the Public Administration Service Center is responsible for checking the accuracy, completeness, consistency, and validity of the dossier.

• If the in-person dossier is complete and valid, it is accepted, and a receipt with an appointment for the result is issued. For online submissions, the receipt and appointment are sent via email or text message. The dossier is then forwarded to the judicial-civil status officer for processing.
• If the dossier is incomplete or invalid, the applicant is notified to supplement and complete it, specifying the required documents and content.
• If the applicant cannot complete the dossier, the officer reports to the Head of the Public Administration Service Center to issue a notice of refusal.

Step 3: Dossier Assessment

The judicial-civil status officer assesses the dossier for consistency and validity.

• If the dossier needs to be supplemented or is ineligible, the officer sends a notification to the Public Administration Service Center to inform the applicant.
• If verification or other reasons delay the result, an “Apology and Rescheduled Appointment” slip is issued (for in-person submission) or sent electronically (for online submission), stating the reason and new date.
• If the request is eligible, the officer records the information in the Marriage Registration Book and updates the electronic civil status management software. For online submissions, a completed electronic marriage registration extract is sent to the applicant for verification within one day. If confirmed or no response is received, the officer finalizes the registration.

Step 4: Returning the Results

The judicial-civil status officer prints the Marriage Registration Extract, submits it to the leadership of the commune-level People’s Committee for signing, and transfers it to the Public Administration Service Center to return to the applicant.

Processing Time

The processing time for registering a foreign marriage is 05 working days. In cases requiring written verification, the processing time is not to exceed 08 working days.

Fees and Charges

• The specific fee amount is decided by the provincial-level People’s Council.
• Fees are waived for individuals from families with meritorious service to the revolution, poor households, and persons with disabilities.
• The fee for issuing a copy of the Marriage Registration Extract (if requested) is regulated by Circular 281/2016/TT-BTC dated November 14, 2016. The fee for exploiting and using information from the civil status database is 8,000 VND per extract copy.

>>> See more at: Foreign Element Guardianship Registration

Consulting and Authorization Services for Registering a Foreign Marriage

Long Phan Consulting Company provides comprehensive services for the procedure of registering a foreign marriage of Vietnamese citizens. Our service includes:

• Detailed consultation on the conditions required for civil status registration.
• Advice on dossier components and the process for the procedure.
• Detailed guidance on the step-by-step implementation of the procedure.
• Reviewing the legality of documents and evidence submitted to the competent authority.
• Drafting and preparing all necessary documents.
• Acting as the authorized representative for clients to submit dossiers and monitor the process at the competent authority.
• Receiving and delivering the results, and providing explanations to clients as needed.

With a professional and dedicated team, Long Phan Consulting Company is committed to helping clients complete the procedure for registering a foreign marriage efficiently and in compliance with regulations.

Frequently Asked Questions (FAQ)

Below are common questions related to the procedure for registering a foreign marriage.

In which cases is a marriage registration refused?

A request for marriage registration will be refused in the following cases:

• The marriage violates the prohibitions stipulated in the Law on Marriage and Family.
• A Vietnamese citizen marries a foreigner at a foreign diplomatic or consular mission in Vietnam.
• Legal basis: Clause 1, Article 36 of Decree 123/2015/ND-CP dated November 15, 2015.

How is a citizen’s residence information from the National Population Database accessed?

The exploitation and use of a citizen’s residence information from the National Population Database can be done through one of the following methods:

• Searching and exploiting personal information through the function of the ministerial or provincial-level administrative procedure processing information system connected to the National Population Database or via the National Public Service Portal.
• Looking up personal information through the citizen’s electronic identity account displayed in the VNeID application.
• Using a reader device connected online to the National Population Database, including a QR Code reader or a chip reader on a chip-based Citizen Identity Card.
• Other methods of exploitation as stipulated by specialized laws.
• Legal basis: Clause 2, Article 14 of Decree 104/2022/ND-CP dated December 21, 2022.

Can the applicant authorize another person to carry out the procedure?

Yes. The applicant can perform the procedure directly or authorize another person to do so at the Public Administration Service Center, via postal service, or by submitting the dossier online at the National Public Service Portal.

Can the applicant perform the procedure online?

Yes. The applicant can carry out the procedure online in accordance with the law on online civil status registration.

What documents does the applicant receive after the results are available?

The applicant receives a Marriage Registration Extract, a copy of the Marriage Registration Extract, and an electronic version of the Marriage Registration Extract.

Conclusion

The procedure for registering a foreign marriage of Vietnamese citizens is a necessary step for the marital relationship to be recognized and have legal effect in Vietnam. Understanding the regulations will help citizens navigate the registration process smoothly and fully protect their legal rights and interests, as well as those of their family, in a marriage involving a foreign element.

For detailed consultation and support in completing the procedure quickly and correctly, please contact Long Phan Consulting Company via hotline: 1900636389 for dedicated and professional service.