Apostille for Vietnam
U.S. documents for Vietnam, done right the first time
From marriage certificates to corporate powers of attorney, we prepare, certify, and apostille U.S. documents so they’re accepted by authorities in Vietnam by Apostille now that Vietnam has joined the Hague Apostille Convention.
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Vietnam joined the Hague Apostille Convention on September 11, 2026
Apostille for Vietnam: What Changed
Vietnam is now a member of the Hague Apostille Convention. Since September 11, 2026, a U.S. public document with an apostille is accepted in Vietnam without legalization by the Vietnamese Embassy in Washington, D.C. or a Consulate General. The Embassy notes one exception: certain commercial and customs documents.
Vietnam Apostille Rules Since September 11, 2026
These rules come from the notice published by the Embassy of Vietnam in the United States.
- An apostille replaces consular legalization. U.S. public documents for use in Vietnam now need only an apostille.
- The Embassy no longer accepts legalization applications for documents covered by the Convention.
- Exception: administrative documents directly related to commercial or customs activities are outside the Convention and still need consular legalization through the Embassy.
- Documents legalized before September 11, 2026 remain valid in Vietnam. They do not need a new apostille.
- Translation: a document that is not in Vietnamese needs a Vietnamese translation that is notarized or certified under Vietnamese law.
- Where to apply in the U.S.: the Secretary of State, or the authority for the place where the document was issued. Federal documents go to the U.S. Department of State.
How to Get a U.S. Document Apostilled for Vietnam
- Get the right version of the document. Vital records need a certified copy; private documents such as powers of attorney must be notarized.
- Send it to the correct authority. State documents go to the Secretary of State of the issuing state. Federal documents, including FBI background checks, go to the U.S. Department of State.
- Receive the apostille. The document is then ready to use in Vietnam.
Apostille Pricing and Turnaround
| Service | Our fee | Turnaround |
|---|---|---|
| State apostille | From $195; additional documents $65 each, plus the state fee | About 10 business days, depending on state delays |
| FBI apostille | $195 | 5+ weeks (regular U.S. Department of State processing) |
| Expedited FBI apostille | $390 | 10 business days |
Notary and translation fees are separate. See full apostille pricing, all apostille services or the list of apostille countries.
Apostille for Vietnam FAQ
Does Vietnam accept apostilles?
Yes. Vietnam joined the Hague Apostille Convention and the Convention took effect there on September 11, 2026. Apostilled U.S. public documents no longer need legalization by the Vietnamese Embassy or a Consulate General.
Do I still need embassy legalization for Vietnam?
Not for public documents. The Embassy no longer accepts legalization applications for documents covered by the Convention. Administrative documents directly related to commercial or customs activities are the exception and still need consular legalization.
Who issues an apostille for Vietnam?
The Secretary of State in the state where the document was issued or notarized apostilles state documents. Federal documents, such as FBI background checks, are apostilled by the U.S. Department of State.
How long does an apostille for Vietnam take?
A state apostille takes about 10 business days, depending on state delays. A regular FBI apostille takes 5+ weeks, and our expedited FBI apostille takes 10 business days.
Do my documents need to be translated into Vietnamese?
Yes, if the document is not in Vietnamese. The Embassy of Vietnam states that it needs a Vietnamese translation that is notarized or certified under Vietnamese law. We provide certified translation as a separate service.
By document type
Documents we apostille for Vietnam
Every category follows its own certification chain. We identify the right one for you at intake, so you only pay for the steps your document actually needs.
Birth, marriage, divorce, and death certificates; single-status affidavits; adoption papers.
- Secretary of State certification
- Apostille or embassy legalization
- Certified Vietnamese translation available
Diplomas, transcripts, powers of attorney, contracts, articles of incorporation, board resolutions.
- Notarization required
- Secretary of State certification
- Apostille or embassy legalization
FBI background checks, Certificates of Naturalization, IRS Form 6166, USPTO and FDA certificates.
- No notarization needed
- U.S. Department of State apostille/authentication
- Embassy legalization only if pre-transition
Your order, step by step
Send Us Your Document
Upload a scan for a free review, or mail the original to one of our offices. We’ll confirm which certification chain applies and flag anything that needs correcting before submission.
We notarize and certify
Where required, we coordinate notarization and submit to the relevant Secretary of State for certification handled locally or through our nationwide network if your document was issued outside Oregon or Washington.
Apostille or embassy legalization
We file with the U.S. Department of State for federal authentication, then route the document to either the apostille desk or the Vietnamese Embassy/Consulate General, depending on your certification date.
Delivered back to you
Your finished, legalization-ready document ships securely via FedEx or USPS or directly to a recipient in Vietnam if you need it delivered internationally.
Ready to Start Your Vietnam Apostille?
Send us your document, and we’ll tell you exactly what’s needed, what it costs, and how long it will take. You can also email your document or questions to Info@apostilleauthentications.com for personalized assistance.
It depends on your certification date, not your document date. Anything we certify on or after September 11, 2026 generally only needs an apostille. Anything certified earlier follows the existing embassy legalization chain. We confirm this for you at intake.
Yes, for public documents originating in the United States, since neither country has objected to the other’s participation in the Convention. Vietnam’s Ministry of Foreign Affairs has designated its Consular Department and provincial foreign affairs offices as the authorities that verify incoming apostilles.
No problem, we’ll simply finish that order under the process that was in place when it was certified. You don’t need to restart anything.
Most Vietnamese authorities require a certified translation alongside the legalized or apostilled document. We offer this as an add-on and can bundle it into your order.
Yes. We manage Secretary of State certification and U.S. Department of State authentication for documents issued in any of the 50 states through our mail-in service.