6 Types of Documents and Papers Not Eligible for Certification of Copies from Originals

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To be specific, according to Article 21 of Decree 23/2015/ND-CP, there are 06 types of original documents that cannot be used as a basis for certifying copies.

- The original document has been erased, altered, or has additions or deletions that are not valid.

- The original document is damaged, old, or the content cannot be determined.

- The original document is stamped "confidential" by an authorized agency/organization or has a statement clearly prohibiting copying.

- The original document contains content contrary to the law, social ethics; promotes, incites war, opposing the policies of the Socialist Republic of Vietnam; distorts the history of the Vietnamese nation; insults the honor, dignity, and reputation of individuals or organizations; violates citizens' rights.

- The original document was issued, notarized, or certified by an authorized foreign agency/organization but has not been legalized for use in the country.

- Documents created by individuals without certification and seal of an authorized agency/organization.

According to the provisions of the law on notarization, a certified copy from the original has the same value as the original used for comparison in transactions, except where otherwise provided by law.

In principle, a notarized or certified copy is valid indefinitely. However, in practical terms, certified copies can be divided into two types:

- "Unlimited" copies: Certified copies from documents with indefinite value such as transcripts, bachelor's degrees, motorcycle driver's licenses, etc., have indefinite legal value unless the original has been revoked or canceled.

- "Limited" copies: Certified copies from documents with a defined period of validity, such as the Identity Card (15 years), Judicial Record Certificate (6 months), and Marriage Status Certificate (6 months), are only valid for use within the original document's period of validity.

- Nguyen Trinh -

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