Decree 16: Consular legalization and translation of nationality-related documents into Vietnamese

According to Clause 2 Article 2 of Decree No. 111/2011/NĐ-CP of Vietnam’s Government: “Consular legalization means the competent Vietnamese agencies' certification of stamps, signatures and titles on foreign papers and documents for being recognized and used in Vietnam.”

Specifically, according to Article 2 of Decree No. 16/2020/NĐ-CP of Vietnam’s Government, documents in applications for naturalization, restoration and renunciation of Vietnamese nationality and documents of other Vietnamese nationality-related affairs issued by foreign competent agencies must undergo consular legalization, except for cases of exemption from consular legalization according to regulations and law of Vietnam or international agreements to which Vietnam is a signatory.

Contents of nationality-related documents must be translated into Vietnamese; the translation must be verified or bearing authenticated signatures of the translators according to regulations and law of Vietnam.

Besides, Decree No. 16/2020/NĐ-CP also strictly prohibits the following acts:

- Use of fabricated or falsified documents; dishonest declaration or deception in procedures for handling nationality-related affairs;

- Use of documents rendered invalid specified in Clause 1 Article 4 of this Decree to prove Vietnamese nationality;

- Illegal exploitation of assigned entitlement to issue documents relating to Vietnamese nationality, documents proving Vietnamese nationality or other documents specifying Vietnamese nationality; provide confirmation without basis or untruthful confirmation regarding applicants for naturalization and restoration of Vietnamese nationality;

- Exploitation of naturalization, restoration and renunciation of Vietnamese nationality and retention of foreign nationality in case of successful naturalization or restoration of Vietnamese nationality to violate national security and benefits, social order and safety of Government of Socialist Republic of Vietnam; violate legal rights and benefits of Vietnamese agencies, organizations and citizens.

View details at Decree No. 16/2020/NĐ-CP of Vietnam’s Government, effective from March 20, 2020.

Thu Ba

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