Can extracts of birth certificates with respect to persons under 14 years of age be used to issue regular passports for the first time in Vietnam?

Can extracts of birth certificates with respect to persons under 14 years of age be used to issue regular passports for the first time in Vietnam?

Pursuant to Clauses 1 and 2, Article 15 of the Law on Exit and Entry of Vietnamese citizens 2019 stipulates that domestic issuance of regular passports are as follows:

1. Persons applying for issuance of passports shall submit completed application forms using defined templates, 2 pictures and relevant documents specified in Clause 2 of this Article; present valid ID cards, Citizen Identity Cards or passports.

2. Documents relating to domestic issuance of regular passports include:

a) Copies of birth certificates or extracts thereof with respect to persons under 14 years of age; and

b) The most recently issued regular passports with respect to persons who have been issued with passports; in case of lost passports, attach notice of loss or notice of receipt of competent agencies specified in Article 28 of this Law; and

c) Photocopies of ID cards or Citizen Identity Cards with respect to changes to personal information compared to information in the most recently issued passports; and

d) Verified photocopies of documents issued by competent agencies proving authorized legal representatives for incapacitated persons, persons having limited recognition or behavioral control as specified in Civil Code and persons under 14 years of age. In case photocopies are not verified, present master registers for examination and comparison.

Thus, when you apply for a passport for persons under 14 years of age, you can use Copies of birth certificates or extracts thereof in the application file for an regular passport in the country. In addition, you also need to prepare other documents as prescribed by law in Vietnam.

How long does it take to apply for overseas issuance of regular passports in Vietnam?

According to Clause 4, Clause 5, Article 16 of the Law on Exit and Entry of Vietnamese citizens 2019, there are regulations on overseas issuance of regular passports as follows:

4. Within 5 working days from the date of receipt of application for first-time issuance of passport and 3 working days for subsequent issuance of passports, if conditions for passport issuance are satisfied, a Vietnam representative office located overseas receiving the application for issuance of passport shall return the result to the applicant and submit written notice to immigration authority of Ministry of Public Security and consular mission of Ministry of Foreign Affairs if the Vietnam representative office has not connected to the National database for entry and exit of Vietnamese citizens.

In case of unsatisfactory to conditions for issuance of passport or additional period for determination of conditions for issuance of passport, the Vietnam representative office located overseas shall respond to the applicant in written form stating the reasons.

5. Additional period for determination of conditions for issuance of passports specified in Clause 4 of this Article is prescribed as follows:

a) Within 3 working days from the date on which application is received, Vietnam representative offices located overseas shall submit documents using defined templates to consular mission of Ministry of Foreign Affairs or immigration authority of Ministry of Public Security to determine within their authority;

b) Within 15 days from the date on which documents of Vietnam representative offices located overseas are received, consular mission of Ministry of Foreign Affairs or immigration authority of Ministry of Public Security shall respond to the Vietnam representative offices located overseas in written form;

c) Within 2 working days from the date on which written response of consular mission of Ministry of Foreign Affairs or immigration authority of Ministry of Public Security is received, the Vietnam representative offices located overseas shall issue passports and return results to applicants; in case of delayed issuance, the Vietnam representative offices located overseas shall respond to applicants in written form and state reasons.

Thus, within 5 working days from the date of receipt of application for first-time issuance of passport and 3 working days for subsequent issuance of passports, if conditions for passport issuance are satisfied, a Vietnam representative office located overseas receiving the application for issuance of passport shall return the result to the applicant. If there are not enough grounds to issue a passport or it is necessary to extend the time, the extension period is specified as above in Vietnam.

Best Regards!