Registering Parentage with Foreign Elements

Registering parentage with foreign elements is a procedure to establish the legal relationship between individuals, where at least one party is a foreigner or an overseas Vietnamese. This procedure legally defines the relationship and directly affects the personal rights, property, nationality, and residency of the involved parties. This article from Long Phan Consulting Company provides a detailed analysis of this procedure under the latest regulations.

Competent Authorities for Registering Parentage with Foreign Elements

According to Subsection 6, Section A, Part II of the Administrative Procedures amended and supplemented in the civil status sector, issued with Decision No. 1833/QD-BTP on June 23, 2025, the competent authorities are as follows:

• Deciding Authority: The Commune-level People’s Committee where the recognized parent or child resides. This authority handles registrations between a Vietnamese citizen and a foreigner; a domestic Vietnamese citizen and an overseas Vietnamese citizen; two overseas Vietnamese citizens; a Vietnamese citizen with dual nationality and another Vietnamese citizen or a foreigner; and two foreigners where one or both parties permanently reside in Vietnam.
• Executing Body: The Judicial-civil status officer receives the dossier and advises the leadership of the Commune-level People’s Committee.
• Coordinating Agencies: The Commune-level People’s Committee where the recognized parent or child resides and the agency managing the National Population Database.

Required Dossier

Based on Decision No. 1833/QD-BTP, applicants for registering parentage with foreign elements must prepare one complete dossier, including the following documents:

• Parentage Recognition Declaration Form (Form No. 6, Appendix 5 of Circular No. 04/2024/TT-BTP) for in-person or postal submissions.
• Interactive electronic civil status form for parentage recognition (information provided by the applicant on the Public Service Portal) for online submissions.
• The applicant must submit/present (in-person) or upload (online) the following:

Documents to be Submitted:

• Evidence proving the parent-child relationship, which includes one of the following:
  • A document from a competent medical authority, assessment body, or other organization in Vietnam or abroad confirming the parent-child relationship.
  • If no such evidence exists, a written affirmation from the parties recognizing the parentage, with at least two witnesses attesting to the relationship.
• For registrations between a Vietnamese citizen and a foreigner, or between two foreigners, the foreigner must submit a copy of their passport or equivalent travel document for identity verification.

Documents to be Presented:

• Personal identification: Passport, Citizen Identity Card, electronic identity card, or other valid photo identification. This is not required for online submissions if the information is auto-populated from the National Population Database or Electronic Civil Status Database.
• Proof of residence: Required only if the civil status authority cannot access this information from the National Population Database.

Dossier Submission Methods

Applicants can submit the dossier in-person at the Public Administration Service Center, via the postal system, or online at the National Public Service Portal (https://dichvucong.gov.vn).

Note: One party may submit the dossier without a letter of authorization from the other party.

Important Notes for Dossier Submission

When submitting a dossier for registering parentage with foreign elements, applicants should note the following:

• Individuals may choose the civil status registration office at their place of residence. If an office other than the one at their permanent or temporary residence is chosen, that office will assist in submitting the dossier online to the correct competent authority.
• For in-person submissions:
  • Applicants can submit certified copies, original extracts, or photocopies accompanied by the original documents.
  • The receiving officer will verify any photocopies against the originals and will not require separate certified copies.
• For online submissions:
  • Scanned documents must be clear, complete, and from valid, original papers.
  • Electronic copies of civil status documents may be used if available.
  • The applicant must present original documents for verification before receiving the final results.
• If the applicant provides false or altered documents, the registration result will be annulled.
• Documents issued by foreign authorities must be consularly legalized for use in Vietnam, unless an exemption applies under an international treaty to which Vietnam is a signatory.
• If an applicant makes a written affirmation, the registration office must explain the legal consequences of providing false information. The registration will be refused or annulled if the affirmation is found to be untrue.

Procedure for Registering Parentage with Foreign Elements

The procedure follows the steps outlined in Decision No. 1833/QD-BTP:

Step 1: Dossier Submission

• In-person: Submit the dossier and pay any applicable fees at the competent Public Administration Service Center.
• Online: Access the National Public Service Portal, log in, select the competent authority, complete the interactive form, attach required documents, and pay fees online.

Step 2: Dossier Reception and Verification

• An officer at the Public Administration Service Center checks the dossier for accuracy and completeness.
• If the dossier is valid, a receipt and appointment slip is issued (in-person) or sent electronically (online). The dossier is then forwarded for processing.
• If incomplete, the applicant is notified to provide the missing information. If the dossier cannot be completed, a notice of refusal is issued.

Step 3: Dossier Assessment and Processing

• The Judicial-civil status officer assesses the dossier’s validity. If issues arise, the applicant is notified.
• If verification is needed, a “Notice of Delay and Rescheduled Appointment” is issued.
• The officer publicly posts the notice of parentage recognition at the Commune-level People’s Committee headquarters for 05 working days and requests the same at the residence of the recognized parent or child.
• If no disputes arise and the dossier is valid, the officer records the information in the Civil Status Register and updates the electronic management software. For online applications, the applicant first verifies an electronic draft of the extract.

Step 4: Returning the Results

• The officer prints the Parentage Recognition Extract, has it signed by the leadership of the Commune-level People’s Committee, and sends it to the Public Administration Service Center for collection by the applicant.

Consulting Services for Registering Parentage with Foreign Elements

The procedure for registering parentage with foreign elements involves complex legal requirements. Long Phan Consulting Company offers a comprehensive service package to assist clients from dossier preparation to completion.

Our services include:

• Analyzing the specific situation and advising on the procedure.
• Compiling, verifying, and completing all necessary documents.
• Supporting with consular legalization and certified translation of foreign documents.
• Representing clients in submitting the dossier and monitoring the process.
• Resolving any issues that arise during the procedure.
• Receiving and delivering the final results to the client.
• Advising on the rights and obligations arising after the registration is complete.

Frequently Asked Questions

What is the processing time?

The processing time for registering parentage with foreign elements is 10 days.

What results are received upon completion?

Applicants will receive:

The original Parentage Recognition Extract (and certified copies, if requested).

An electronic version of the Parentage Recognition Extract, sent to the applicant’s digital data repository, email, or digital device.

What are the fees?

The specific fee is determined by the provincial-level People’s Council.

Fees are waived for families with meritorious service to the revolution, poor households, and persons with disabilities.

Fees for certified copies are regulated by Circular No. 281/2016/TT-BTC.

Are there any specific conditions for this procedure?

According to Decision No. 1833/QD-BTP, there are no specific prerequisite conditions for initiating the procedure of registering parentage with foreign elements.

Conclusion

The procedure for registering parentage with foreign elements requires solid legal knowledge and practical experience. Long Phan Consulting Company is committed to assisting clients through the process, ensuring their rights are protected. Contact our hotline at 1900636389 for detailed consultation and prompt support.