Can a document certified by the head of working agency/unit be used instead of an identity card when making vehicle documents in Vietnam?

Can a document certified by the head of working agency/unit be used instead of an identity card when making vehicle documents in Vietnam?

Pursuant to Article 9 of Circular 58/2020/TT-BCA regulating the owner’s legal documentation as follows:

1. If the legal owner is Vietnamese, one of these documents must be submitted: Identity card (9-digit or 12-digit) or household register. If the legal owner is a member of armed forces' personnel, one of these documents must be submitted: people’s police or military identity card or document certified by the head of working agency/unit of regiment or higher, division of police office of district or higher (in the absence of identity card of the armed forces' personnel).

2. If the legal owner is a Vietnamese expatriate currently living and working in Vietnam, temporary residence or household register and passport (valid) or any other valid document in lieu of passport must be submitted.

3. The legal owner is a foreign national.

a) As for foreign nationals who are working for diplomatic missions, consular posts and representative offices of international organizations: they must show a letter of accreditation to Directorate of State Protocol or Department of Foreign Affairs and Diplomatic and Official Identity Card (valid);

b) As for foreign nationals working and living in Vietnam: they must show their passport (valid) or other valid substitutes for passport.

4. The legal owner is an agency or organization:

a) If the legal owner is a Vietnamese agency or organization: identity card (9-digit or 12-digit) of the authorized person must be shown. Regarding a military enterprise, a letter of introduction signed and sealed by the Director of Department of Vehicles affiliated to the Ministry of National Defense must be shown;

b) If the legal owner is a diplomatic mission, consular post and representative office of international organization in Vietnam: A letter of accreditation from Directorate of State Protocol or Department of Foreign Affairs Diplomatic and Official Identity Card (valid) of the authorized person must be shown;

c) If the legal owner is a joint-venture or wholly foreign-owned enterprise, representative office and a foreign enterprise who have won a bidding in Vietnam, and non-governmental organization: the authorized person to register their vehicle must show his/her identity card (9-digit or 12-digit) or passport (in case of foreigner).

5. The authorized person to carry out the vehicle registration, apart from the documentation of the vehicle owner as prescribed in clauses 1, 2 and 3 of this Article, he/she must show his/her identity card (9-digit or 12-digit) or diplomatic or official identity card (valid).

Thus, according to current regulations in Vietnam, vehicle owners who are armed forces can present their People's Army ID card when they do not have an armed forces ID card.

What are procedures for initial issuance of vehicle registration and license plate in Vietnam?

According to Article 10 of Circular 58/2020/TT-BCA regulating issuance of vehicle registration and license plateas follows:

1. Initial issuance of vehicle registration and license plate:

a) The vehicle owner submits the required documents as prescribed in Articles 7 and 8 and show the documentation of vehicle owner as prescribed in Article 9 of this Circular;

b) The officer in charge of vehicle registration shall check the application and the vehicle in reality if all requirements are met;

c) Guide the vehicle owner to pick the license plate number randomly on the vehicle registration system;

d) The vehicle owner receives the appointment note to return the certificate of vehicle registration, pay the vehicle registration fee and receive the license plate;

dd) The officer in charge of vehicle registration shall complete the documentation and issue certificate of vehicle registration as prescribed in Article 4 of this Circular.

Best regards!