Getting married in Vietnam as a foreign national requires careful attention to legal procedures and documentation. This comprehensive guide will walk you through the entire process, ensuring a smooth journey to your international marriage registration.
Overview of Marriage Procedures in Vietnam
Vietnam has seen a steady increase in international marriages over the past decade, with thousands of foreign nationals choosing to formalize their unions in the country each year. Understanding and following the proper procedures is crucial for a valid marriage registration.
Legal Requirements and Eligibility
Before beginning the marriage registration process, both parties must meet these basic eligibility criteria stipulated in Article 8 of the Law on Marriage and Family as follows:
- Men must be at least 20 years old, and women must be at least 18 years old
- Both parties must be legally single and have mental capacity
- The marriage must be voluntary for both parties
- Marriage does not fall into one of the prohibited cases (Article 5 Law on Marriage and Family 2014)
Required Documentation
Foreign nationals must prepare the following documents (Article 30 Decree 123/2015/NĐ-CP):
- Valid passport with at least 6 months validity or valid substitute paper
- Certificate of Single Status (or equivalent) from your home country
- Health check certification from an authorized Vietnamese hospital
- Residence documentation
- All foreign documents must be legalized and translated into Vietnamese
To learn more about the procedures for marrying a foreigner, you should refer to this link
Step-by-Step Marriage Registration Process
1. Initial Application Submission
Begin by submitting your application to the local Department of Justice where either party has registered residence (Article 37.2 Law on Civil Status). The application package includes (Article 30 Decree 123/2015/NĐ-CP):
- Completed marriage registration form (The appendix issued together with Circular 04/2020/TT-BTP)
- All required documents mentioned above
- Valid identification for both parties
You can refer to more procedures and documents at the National Public Service Portal.
2. Document Verification Process
The authorities will review your documentation, which typically takes 15-30 days. During this time:
- Officials verify the authenticity of all submitted documents (Article 38.2 Law on Civil Status and Article 31.1 Decree 123/2015/NĐ-CP):
The Department of Justice shall conduct research, review the documents, and verify them if necessary within 10 working days of receiving the complete and valid application.
Within 15 days from the date of receiving the complete documents, the civil status officer in charge of civil registration is responsible for verification. If the conditions for marriage are met according to the law, the Department of Justice will report to the Chairman of the district-level People’s Committee for resolution.
- Additional documentation may be requested if needed: Additional regulations on the documents required in the marriage registration file, the interview process, and the verification of the purpose of marriage when processing marriage registration requests may be issued to ensure the rights and legitimate interests of the parties. (Article 38.4 Law on Civil Status)
- Both parties may be called for interviews: Based on the specific situation, when necessary, additional regulations on the interview procedure shall be issued when processing marriage registration requests, to ensure the rights and legitimate interests of the parties and the effectiveness of state management. (Article 38.4 Law on Civil Status)
3. Marriage Registration Ceremony
Once approved, you’ll be invited to attend the official registration ceremony where (Article 38 Law on Civil Status and Article 10 Decree 123/2015/NĐ-CP):
- Both parties must be present with valid ID: When registering for marriage, both parties must be present at the People’s Committee office. The civil status officer responsible for civil registration will ask for the consent of both parties.
- You’ll sign the marriage certificate: If both parties voluntarily agree to marry, the marriage will be recorded in the civil register, and both parties will sign the civil register.
- Official stamps and signatures will be provided: The Chairman of the district-level People’s Committee issues the Marriage Certificate to both parties.
- The marriage certificate is valid from the date it is recorded in the civil status book. (Article 32.2 Decree 123/2015/NĐ-CP)
In cases where one or both parties are unable to be present to receive the Marriage Certificate, upon their written request, the time for issuing the Marriage Certificate may be extended, but not exceeding 60 days from the date the Marriage Certificate is signed. If the parties do not come to receive the Marriage Certificate within 60 days, the signed Marriage Certificate will be cancelled. If the parties still wish to marry each other afterwards, they must go through the marriage registration procedure from the beginning (Article 32.3 Decree 123/2015/NĐ-CP)
Common Challenges and Solutions
International couples often face several challenges during the process:
Language Barriers
When 2 foreigners get married, legal documents related to the marriage often need to be translated. If the translation is inaccurate or not certified by an authorized translator, it could lead to delays or even invalidate the documents in legal proceedings.
Language barriers may also prevent international couples from fully understanding their legal rights and obligations, leading to potential disputes.
Marriage registration requires interaction with government agencies where the language spoken might differ from one spouse’s native tongue. This could lead to difficulties in communication with government agencies and complicate the registration process which lead to mistakes.
Solution: Hire a certified translator for all documentation and proceedings. Many local law firms offer specialized services for international marriages.
Document Authentication
The documents and procedures carried out by the competent authorities of a foreign country related to the issuance, notarization, or authentication for the purpose of registering civil status in Vietnam may differ from the documents and procedures in Vietnam. This may cause difficulties in the marriage registration process.
Solution: Work with your embassy and Vietnamese authorities early in the process to ensure proper authentication of all documents.
You can find out more details about the difficulties and solutions of foreign marriage through the following link
Post-Marriage Procedures
After your marriage registration, several important steps remain:
- Obtain additional certified copies of your marriage certificate
- Register your marriage with your home country’s embassy
- Update personal documents if changing names
Cost Breakdown
Typical expenses include:
- Marriage registration fee: The fee is set differently by each locality (Article 3 Circular 85/2019/TT-BTC), the approximate cost of a marriage application is 1 million VND
- Document translation: 200,000-500,000 VND per page
- Document authentication: Varies by country (Article 4 Circular 226/2016/TT-BTC)
- Health check: 500,000-1,000,000 VND
Timeline Management
The entire process typically takes 2-3 months, including:
- Document preparation: 2-4 weeks
- Application processing: 15-30 days
- Registration ceremony scheduling: 1-2 weeks
Additional Resources and Support
For additional assistance, consider:
- Consulting your embassy in Vietnam
- Working with a local legal advisor
- Joining expat communities for shared experiences
Frequently Asked Questions
- Can I get married in any province in Vietnam?
Yes, but it’s recommended to register in the province where either party has residential registration. (Article 37.2 Law on Civil Status) - How long is my marriage certificate valid?
The marriage certificate is permanently valid, but you may need to have it translated and authenticated for use in other countries. (Article 4.1 Decree 111/2011/NĐ-CP) - Can same-sex couples marry in Vietnam?
Currently, Vietnam does not legally recognize same-sex marriages. (Article 8.2 Law on Marriage and Family 2014)
Remember to start the process well in advance of your planned marriage date to allow for any unexpected delays or additional requirements. Working with experienced professionals can help ensure a smooth and successful marriage registration process in Vietnam.
Important Note: Marriage regulations may vary by province and can change over time. Always verify current requirements with local authorities or legal professionals.
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