Typically, the certification of copies of documents and papers is carried out at People's Committees at various levels, while some other documents are certified at Notary Offices or other agencies. However, not everyone knows which agency they need to go to for document certification. To address this query, Thu Ky Luat shares the types of documents and the competent certifying agencies in the article below.
Article table of contents
Based on Article 5 of Decree 23/2015/ND-CP, the types of documents, papers, and agencies authorized for certification include:
Justice Divisions under district-level People's Committees of districts, towns, district-level townships, and provincial cities have the authority and responsibility:
- To certify copies from the originals of documents and papers issued by competent agencies and organizations of Vietnam; competent agencies and organizations of foreign countries; competent agencies and organizations of Vietnam in association with competent agencies and organizations of foreign countries;- To certify signatures in documents and papers;- To certify the signature of translators in documents and papers translated from foreign languages into Vietnamese and vice versa;- To certify contracts and transactions related to movable property;- To certify documents on the agreement of inheritance distribution and documents on the acknowledgement of inheritance where the estate is movable property.
The Head and Deputy Head of the Justice Division perform certifications, sign certifications, and affix the seal of the Justice Division.
The People's Committees of communes, wards, and commune-level townships (hereinafter collectively referred to as commune-level People's Committees) have the authority and responsibility:
- To certify copies from the originals of documents and papers issued or endorsed by competent agencies of Vietnam;- To certify signatures in documents and papers, except for certifying the signature of translators;- To certify contracts and transactions related to movable property;- To certify contracts and transactions related to the exercise of land use rights as prescribed by the Land Law;- To certify housing-related contracts and transactions as prescribed by the Housing Law;- To certify wills;- To certify documents disclaiming inheritance;- To certify documents on the agreement of inheritance distribution and documents on the acknowledgement of inheritance where the estate includes immovable property, land use rights, and housing.
The President and Vice President of the commune-level People's Committee perform certifications and affix the seal of the commune-level People's Committee.
Additionally, some other organizations are authorized to certify certain documents and papers such as:
- Diplomatic missions and consular offices have the authority and responsibility to certify copies from the originals of documents and papers issued by competent agencies and organizations of Vietnam; competent agencies and organizations of foreign countries; competent agencies and organizations of Vietnam in association with competent agencies and organizations of foreign countries; to certify signatures in documents and papers; and to certify the signature of translators in documents and papers translated from foreign languages into Vietnamese and vice versa.- Notarial practice organizations have the authority and responsibility to certify copies from the originals of documents and papers issued by competent agencies and organizations of Vietnam; competent agencies and organizations of foreign countries; competent agencies and organizations of Vietnam in association with competent agencies and organizations of foreign countries; and to certify signatures in documents and papers, except for certifying the signature of translators.
Details can be found in Decree 23/2015/ND-CP on the issuance of copies from master registers, certification of copies from originals, certification of signatures, and certification of contracts and transactions.
