Legalization of Documents for Foreigners

Documents and materials of foreigners that are to be used and recognized under Vietnamese law must go through the consular legalization process. So, what is legalization? What is the procedure for consular legalization? The following article by LHB Law Firm will provide an overview of document legalization for foreigners. Clients in need of consular legalization services, please contact LHB Law Firm at Hotline: +84.969.088.118 (Zalo).

What is Consular Legalization?

Consular legalization of documents for foreigners is the process of certifying the legality and authenticity of documents issued abroad so that they have legal validity in Vietnam. This process ensures that foreign documents are recognized and accepted by the competent authorities and organizations in Vietnam.

Distinguishing Consular Legalization from Consular Certification

Consular Certification is the process of verifying the authenticity of signatures and seals on documents by the competent authorities of the country that issued those documents. The purpose is to ensure that the documents are legitimate and have legal validity within the issuing country.

Consular Legalization, on the other hand, is the process of certifying the legality and authenticity of documents issued abroad so that they are recognized and accepted by authorities and organizations in Vietnam. This process ensures that the documents meet the legal requirements to be valid in Vietnam.

Difference Between Consular Certification and Consular Legalization

Consular Certification	Consular Legalization
Verifies the authenticity of signatures and seals on documents by the competent authorities of the issuing country Only valid within the issuing country.	Verifies the legality of documents after they have been consular certified, by the authorities of the receiving country. Ensures that the documents have legal validity in the receiving country.

Why is Consular Legalization Necessary?

Consular legalization is a crucial step to ensure that documents issued in one country are recognized and have legal validity in another country. Here are specific reasons why consular legalization is needed:

Reasons for Consular Legalization:

• Ensures that documents are issued by competent authorities and have legal validity in the country of origin.
• Foreign documents are not automatically recognized in other countries. Consular legalization helps documents be accepted and used legally in the receiving country.
• Many countries require foreign documents to be consular legalized before they can be used in legal, administrative procedures, or commercial transactions.
• The consular legalization process helps prevent the use of forged or illegal documents, ensuring transparency and reliability in international transactions.
• Procedures related to immigration, marriage, education, work, and business often require foreign documents to be consular legalized to ensure their validity.
• Consular legalization facilitates international exchange and cooperation by making it easier to recognize and use documents between countries.

Contact LHB Law Firm’s lawyer for consultation at Hotline +84.969.088.118 (Zalo).

Documents That Need Consular Legalization

Consular legalization is a necessary process for many types of documents when they need to be recognized and legally used in another country. Below is a list of common documents that often require consular legalization:

Personal Documents

• Birth Certificate: Required for immigration procedures, scholarship applications, studying abroad, or other administrative procedures.
• Marriage Certificate: Required for immigration visa applications, adoption procedures, or family-related procedures.
• Death Certificate: Needed for inheritance procedures or other administrative processes related to the deceased.
• Certificate of Single Status: Required for marriage procedures abroad.
• Passport and Visa: Sometimes need to be legalized in special cases, such as applying for work permits or residency.

Educational and Professional Documents

• Diploma/Certificate of Graduation: Required for job applications, studying abroad, or obtaining recognition of qualifications in a foreign country.
• Transcripts and Academic Certificates: Necessary for scholarship applications, studying abroad, or continuing education procedures.
• Professional Certificates: Required when applying for a work permit or working abroad.

Labor Documents

• Labor Contract: Needed when applying for a work permit in a foreign country.
• Certificate of Work Experience: Required for job applications or immigration procedures.

Business and Commercial Documents

• Business Registration Certificate: Needed when establishing a company, branch abroad, or participating in international commercial activities.
• Commercial Contracts: Required for import-export procedures or conducting international trade transactions.
• Financial Documents: Financial statements, debt certificates, or other finance-related documents need legalization for international transactions.

Legal Documents

• Power of Attorney: Required for legal procedures, financial transactions, or representation activities abroad.
• Property Ownership Certificate: Necessary when buying, selling, or transferring property abroad.
• Court Decisions: Divorce decrees, child custody decisions, or inheritance rulings need legalization when executed abroad.

Medical Documents

• Medical Records: Required for visa applications for medical reasons or international health insurance procedures.
• Vaccination Certificates: Sometimes need legalization when entering certain countries with specific health requirements.

Important Notes

• The consular legalization process may vary depending on the requirements of each country and the type of document.
• It is advisable to thoroughly check the specific requirements from the relevant authorities or the embassy of the country where the documents will be used.

Procedure for Consular Legalization

To legalize foreign documents in Vietnam, you need to follow these steps:

Step 1: Prepare Documents

• Original Documents: The original document that needs legalization.
• Translation: Translate the document into Vietnamese if the original is in another language.
• Copies: Copies of the original document and the translation (if applicable).

Step 2: Translation and Notarization

• Translation: Documents in other languages need to be translated into Vietnamese by a recognized translation company.
• Notarization of the Translation: Notarize the translation at a notary public or a competent notary office.

Step 3: Consular Certification in the Issuing Country

• Consular Certification: The original document must be certified by the competent authority of the issuing country (usually the Ministry of Foreign Affairs, the Embassy, or the Consulate of that country).

Step 4: Consular Legalization in Vietnam

• Submit the Dossier: After consular certification in the issuing country, submit the dossier at the Consular Department – Ministry of Foreign Affairs of Vietnam or the Department of Foreign Affairs in the provinces/cities.
• The dossier includes:
  • The original document that has been consular certified.
  • The notarized translation (if the document is in another language).
  • Copies of the original document and the translation.
  • Application Form for Consular Legalization: The form can be obtained at the receiving office or from the website of the Consular Department – Ministry of Foreign Affairs of Vietnam.
  • Fees: Pay the fees according to regulations.

Step 5: Submit the Dossier and Receive Results

• Submit the Dossier: Submit the dossier at the competent authority. You can submit it directly or by post, depending on the regulations of each office.
• Processing Time: The processing time may vary depending on the receiving office and the type of document.
• Receive Results: After the dossier is processed, you will receive the documents that have been consular legalized.

Contact for Consular Legalization Support Services

Customers who need consultation and assistance with consular legalization procedures can contact LHB Law Firm for legal support. Customers can reach out to us through the following steps:

Step 1: Contact us via the hotline: +84.969.088.118 (Zalo) for free consultation. Step 2: Clients choose the service that best fits their needs. Step 3: Clients make an initial payment for the service fee and provide the necessary information and documents to the lawyer. Step 4: Receive guidance to self-complete the procedure or authorize us to carry out the procedure on your behalf.

With a team of highly specialized, experienced lawyers and a nationwide office network, LHB Law Firm is ready to provide legal support to clients across the country.

LHB Law Firm – Legal Support for Foreigners

To date, LHB Law Firm is proud to be a leading provider of Consular Legalization Services / Consular Certification Services at the Consular Department – Ministry of Foreign Affairs and all Embassies. From consultation to service completion, we have proactively managed all aspects, including procedures, timing, and costs. Below are the services typically included in the consular legalization process:

Legal Consultation

• Process and Procedure Consultation: Providing detailed information on the necessary steps for consular legalization.
• Document Validity Check: Assessing and identifying the documents that need legalization.
• Related Service Consultation: Guiding related services such as translation, notarization, etc.

Notarized Translation

• Translation: Translating documents and materials from the original language into Vietnamese.
• Notarization of Translation: Notarizing translations at a notary public or a competent translation office.

Consular Certification Abroad

• Contacting Competent Authorities: Contacting and submitting documents to the Ministry of Foreign Affairs, Embassy, or Consulate of the issuing country for consular certification.
• Monitoring the Process: Tracking and updating the progress of consular certification.

Consular Legalization in Vietnam

• Preparation of Documents and Dossier: Preparing the necessary documents and dossier for submission at the Consular Department – Ministry of Foreign Affairs of Vietnam or the Department of Foreign Affairs in the provinces/cities.
• Representative Submission: Submitting the dossier and dealing with the relevant authorities in Vietnam on behalf of the client.
• Tracking the Processing and Receiving Results: Monitoring the dossier processing and obtaining the legalization results.

Logistics Services

• Express Delivery Service: Providing express delivery to send and receive documents from the relevant authorities.
• Support and Information: Answering inquiries and providing updates on the processing status.

Special Services (If Applicable)

• Urgent Legalization: Offering expedited legalization services within a shorter timeframe.
• On-site Service: Assisting with document pick-up and delivery at the client’s location.

Benefits of Using LHB Law Firm’s Consular Legalization Services

• Time-saving: Minimizing the time spent on self-research and performing complex procedures.
• Ensuring Accuracy and Validity: Ensuring that the documents are legalized according to regulations and hold legal value.
• Professional Support: Receiving assistance from experienced experts in this field.

Customers who wish to use LHB Law Firm’s services can contact us through one of the following methods:

• Work directly at our headquarters and branches in: Hanoi, Ha Tinh, Da Nang, Ho Chi Minh City.
• Hotline:+84.969.088.118 (Zalo) 
• Email : luathungbach@gmail.com
• Website: lhblawfirm.vn

Best regards!