How to Apostille or Legalize U.S. Documents for Use in Vietnam

Documents issued in the United States now can be used in Vietnam with an Apostille. Since September 11, 2026, a valid Apostille replaces the Vietnamese embassy legalization step for documents covered by the Apostille Convention. Public documents generally require an original or official certified copy, while private documents must be notarized first, then Apostilled on the notarial certification.

Key takeaway: Check the document type, where it was issued and what the receiving authority in Vietnam asks for. An Apostille confirms the origin of a public document. It does not confirm that every statement in the document is true, and it does not replace Vietnamese translation or other filing requirements.

We will guide you through the steps of getting your U.S. documents ready for use in Vietnam, where to apply for an Apostille, and how to check the applicable fees and processing times.

1. What Is an Apostille or Consular Legalization of US Documents for Use in Vietnam?

An Apostille for a US document is a certificate issued by a state Secretary of State or the U.S. Department of State, depending on the document’s origin. It verifies the signature, the signer’s official role, and any seal or stamp on an eligible public document. Since Vietnam recognizes the Apostille Convention, Vietnam accepts the document without an additional consular legalization step.

Consular legalization of a US document is the process used to verify its signature, the signer’s official role, and any seal or stamp before the document is submitted in Vietnam. It’s completed at a Vietnamese Embassy or Consulate General in the US, in Washington DC, San Francisco, or Houston.

Either way, an Apostille or legalization only confirms who signed the document and that the seal is genuine, it doesn’t confirm that the information inside the document is accurate.

👉 See How different are Apostille and Legalization?

Unsure which stamp you should get for your documents? Feel free to send us a scan for a free review at [email protected] or (US)+1.341.999.4099 | (VN)+84.387.285.099 (WhatsApp 24/7 available).

2. How to Get Your U.S. Documents Ready for Vietnam

For eligible U.S. documents, you need an Apostille from the authority responsible for that document. No further Vietnamese embassy legalization is required after a valid Apostille.

Note: The following documents issued to US Passport holders can be notarized by the U.S Embassy/Consulate General in Vietnam and then legalized by the Consular Department in Hanoi or the Department of External Relations in HCMC under the Ministry of Foreign Affairs of Vietnam for use in Vietnam:

• Affidavit of Single Status for marriage in Vietnam
• Affidavit of Change of Name
• Affidavit of Birth for lost birth certificates
• General Affidavit
• Power of Attorney
• Acknowledgement of signature for legal documents

You can check this notarization procedure here.

3. Popular Types of Documents to Be Apostilled or Legalized

State and local documents (Apostille from the state Secretary of State)

• Birth, marriage and death certificates
• Divorce decrees
• Probate wills, judgments
• Diplomas and academic transcripts issued by state-recognized institutions

Federal documents (Apostille from the U.S. Department of State)

• FBI background checks (Dept. of Justice)
• U.S. federal court and bankruptcy court documents (Dept. of Justice)
• Immigration certifications (Dept. of Homeland Security)
• USDA animal/plant certifications
• Trademark documents (Patent and Trademark Office)

Other documents (notarize first, then get the Apostille on the notarized copy)

• Affidavits, agreements, Powers of Attorney
• Articles of Incorporation, bylaws, commercial invoices
• Copy of a US Passport (identification page)
• Home study reports, income verification, transcripts
• Work experience confirmations

Still don’t know which procedure applies to your documents? Just send us your documents for a free review at [email protected] or (US)+1.341.999.4099 | (VN)+84.387.285.099 (WhatsApp 24/7 available).

4. Popular Purposes of Using U.S Documents in Vietnam

The documents issued in US are often used in Vietnam for the following purposes:

• Getting Vietnam work permit,
• Getting Vietnam work permit exemption certificate,
• Getting married with a Vietnamese.
• Applying for a Vietnam temporary residence card
• Registering a US-based company’s investment or representative office in Vietnam

5. Step-by-Step Process for Using US Documents in Vietnam

For eligible documents, the Apostille replaces the Vietnamese embassy legalization step. Private documents must be notarized before you apply for the Apostille.

👉 Step 1: Identify the Correct Authority for Your Document

State and local records go to that state’s Secretary of State; federal records go to the U.S. Department of State’s Office of Authentications; DC records go to DC’s ONCA.

For private documents, arrange notarization in the United States and apply to the competent authority in the state where the notarization took place. If you use our service, notarization of private documents is included in the Apostille service package.

👉 Step 2: Get the Apostille from That Authority

For the federal Office of Authentications, complete the DS-4194 form, specify Vietnam as the document’s country of use, and include the required documents and the US $20-per-document government fee.

You can submit by mail, with processing within five weeks after the office receives your request, or by drop-off/pick-up, with processing in seven business days. An emergency appointment is available if you meet the applicable conditions.

State and DC offices have their own forms, fees and timelines. Check with the specific office before submitting your request.

These are government processing times. Document preparation, notarization and delivery may take additional time.

👉 Step 3: Translate into Vietnamese and Certify Your Documents

If your document is not in Vietnamese, arrange a Vietnamese translation with notarization or certification in accordance with Vietnamese law. Check with the receiving authority about the required form of the translation and any other filing requirements.

You can arrange this in Vietnam through a notary office or the competent People’s Committee, as applicable, or request translation and certification at a Vietnamese Embassy or Consulate in the United States. This is a separate step from the Apostille.

Translation and notarization/certification of the translation are not included in our Apostille service and are quoted separately.

6. Apostille and Document Legalization Support for Vietnam

In case you are in Vietnam, whether you have found a new job and need to apply for a Vietnam work permit, or you are following a procedure to get married to a Vietnamese citizen, our dedicated team is at your disposal to assist with your U.S. document Apostille requirements.

Our Vietnam consular legalization service for the documents issued in the United States covers:

• Document review and guidance on the Apostille procedure
• Notarization and certification of your documents at competent authorities (if needed);
• Apostille applications with the correct state, federal or DC authority
• Delivery arrangements from the United States to your address in Vietnam.

In case you need a translation into Vietnamese, we will provide you with a high-qualify one.

Our Full-package Service Fee for an Apostille of U.S Documents for Vietnam

Document type	Fee	Processing time
Diplomas, Certificates	US $347–350/document	10 days
Work Experience Confirmation	US $347–350/document	10 days

👉 For other types of documents, please contact us for FREE QUOTE.

U.S documents we have apostilled and legalized for Vietnam

PERSONAL OR FAMILY DOCUMENTS	CORPORATE DOCUMENTS	ACADEMIC DOCUMENTS
✔Marriage certificates ✔Death certificates ✔Birth certificates ✔Divorce decrees ✔Single status affidavits ✔Power of attorney ✔Wills ✔Car titles ✔Adoption dossier ✔FBI records ✔Criminal history reports ✔Any notarized document	✔Certificates of good standing ✔Certificates of incorporation ✔Certificates of origin ✔Power of attorney ✔Hiring documents ✔Company invoices ✔Other business documents	✔High school report ✔GED College, university diplomas ✔Certificates ✔Report cards ✔Other various school records

How to get your U.S documents legalized with us

With only 3 simple steps below, you will get your document legalized without hassles.

Why our Vietnam Apostille or Consular Legalization Service

You can rely on our team to help you prepare your documents, arrange the appropriate Apostille procedure and coordinate delivery to Vietnam.

For over 19 years, we are proud of being the leading Consular Legalization Service Provider in Vietnam for:

• Reliability: We have been providing this legalization service since 2007 and have a wealth of experience so can deal with virtually any document.
• Absolute Security: Vietnam-visa.com consists of a team of specialists. You can be assured that your documents are treated with care, attention to detail, and a consistent, professional manner.
• Guaranteed Delivery: We always process documents as soon as we receive them and do whatever is possible to meet the required timescales.
• Excellent Support: With many years of experience we know how to process your documents and offer you the best advice on legalizing your documents.

Need assistance in using your U.S documents for Vietnam, connect with us via:

• Hotline: (US)+1.341.999.4099 | (VN)+84.387.285.099 (WhatsApp available)
• Email: [email protected]
• Offices:
  • In Hanoi: 23rd Floor, TASCO Building, Pham Hung road, Tu Liem
  • In Ho Chi Minh City: 6th Floor, VIPD Building, No. 4 Nguyen Thi Minh Khai, Sai Gon Ward

7. Frequently asked questions about U.S Document legalization for Vietnam