Getting Married in Vietnam: The Complete Marriage Registration Guide for Foreigners (2026)
How to register a marriage in Vietnam, documents required, the process for foreign nationals, and getting your Vietnamese marriage certificate
Marriage registration in Vietnam for foreigners involves more paperwork than a domestic marriage - but the process is manageable if you know what to prepare. This guide covers the full registration process, required documents, where to apply, and how to get your certificate recognized internationally.
Getting Married in Vietnam: Overview
Foreign nationals can legally marry Vietnamese citizens in Vietnam. The marriage is registered at the local People's Committee and produces a Vietnamese Marriage Registration Certificate (Giay Chung Nhan Ket Hon) - the official legal document proving your marriage under Vietnamese law.
Vietnam also allows two foreign nationals (neither being Vietnamese) to marry in Vietnam, though this is less common and the requirements differ slightly.
This guide primarily covers the most common scenario: a foreign national marrying a Vietnamese citizen in Vietnam.
Why the Marriage Registration Matters
The Vietnamese Marriage Registration Certificate is essential for:
- Residency (TRC): Your foreign spouse can use the marriage certificate as the basis for a long-stay Temporary Residence Card (TRC)
- Spousal visa for the Vietnamese partner to move abroad (if applicable)
- Inheritance and property rights within Vietnam
- Recognition in your home country (with appropriate translation, apostille, and registration processes depending on your country)
Do not mistake a religious or traditional Vietnamese wedding ceremony for legal registration - the ceremony is cultural; the legal registration at the People's Committee is what creates the legally binding marriage.
Who Handles Marriage Registration in Vietnam?
Marriage registration in Vietnam is handled at two levels depending on who is involved:
Provincial Department of Justice (So Tu Phap): Handles all marriages involving a foreign national. This is where you will register if one or both parties are foreign nationals.
District People's Committee: Handles marriages between two Vietnamese citizens only. Foreign nationals cannot use this route.
Key point: If you are a foreigner marrying a Vietnamese citizen, you must go to the Provincial Department of Justice in the province where the Vietnamese party has their household registration (Ho Khau).
Marriage Registration: Step-by-Step Process
Step 1: Determine Which Province to Apply In
The application is filed at the Department of Justice of the province where the Vietnamese citizen's household registration (Ho Khau) is located. If the Vietnamese party has moved and their Ho Khau is in a different province from where they live, this can affect logistics.
If the Vietnamese party has changed their Ho Khau to a new province (a process in itself), you may be able to apply locally - discuss with the relevant office.
Step 2: Prepare Documents
Document preparation is the most time-consuming part. Allow 3-6 weeks for full document gathering, particularly for the foreign national's documents from abroad.
See the full document checklist below.
Step 3: Submit Application
Submit at the Provincial Department of Justice in person. Both parties must be present at the time of submission (or at the interview stage - practices vary by province, confirm locally).
Step 4: Interview / Verification (if required)
Some provinces require an interview with both parties to confirm the marriage is genuine and voluntary. This is conducted in Vietnamese - an interpreter can attend.
Step 5: Certificate Issued
If everything is in order, the Vietnamese Marriage Registration Certificate is issued typically within 15-20 business days of submission (some provinces faster, some slower).
Document Requirements: Foreign National
The following documents are typically required from the foreign national. Requirements can vary slightly by province - confirm the current requirements at the specific Department of Justice where you will apply.
| Document | Notes |
|---|---|
| Original valid passport | Plus copies |
| Birth certificate | Apostilled from your country of birth; translated into Vietnamese |
| Certificate of No Impediment to Marriage | Issued by your home country - confirms you are legally single. Most countries issue this through the embassy or civil registry. Apostilled. Translated. |
| Criminal record certificate (some provinces) | From home country or local police; requirements vary |
| Health certificate | Confirming no conditions that prevent marriage; issued by a licensed hospital in Vietnam (~$30-80) |
| Confirmation of Vietnamese law compliance | Some provinces require you to sign a declaration that you understand Vietnamese marriage law |
| Photos | Passport-style photos (usually 4-6 required) |
Certificate of No Impediment (CNI) / Marital Status Certificate: This is often the hardest document to obtain. Requirements vary dramatically by nationality:
- UK citizens: Certificate of No Impediment issued by FCDO (Legalisation Office), or Marital Status Certificate from the General Register Office. Apostille required.
- US citizens: The USA does not issue a national CNI. A "Letter of No Impediment" can sometimes be obtained from the US Consulate in Vietnam, or an affidavit sworn before a notary public (apostilled) is accepted by some provinces. Confirm with the specific DPJ office.
- Australian citizens: Single status declaration before the Australian Consulate in Vietnam, or a statement from the Registry of Births, Deaths and Marriages in your home state. Apostille required.
- Other nationalities: Contact your home country's civil registry or your country's embassy in Vietnam for the correct document and process.
Document Requirements: Vietnamese Citizen
| Document | Notes |
|---|---|
| CCCD (National ID card) | Must be current and valid |
| Household registration book (Ho Khau) | Or digital household registration confirmation |
| Birth certificate | Vietnamese-issued |
| Certificate of marital status | Issued by local ward People's Committee confirming they are legally single |
| Health certificate | From a licensed hospital |
| Photos | Passport-style |
Document Translation and Apostille Requirements
All foreign documents must be:
- Apostilled in the country of origin (for countries in the Hague Apostille Convention) OR notarized through the Vietnamese Embassy in your home country (for non-Hague countries)
- Translated into Vietnamese by a licensed translation company and notarized in Vietnam
Common Hague Convention countries: UK, USA, Australia, most European countries, etc. Check the official Hague Conference website for the full list.
Translation note: Do not use online translation services or personal translators for official documents. Use a licensed translation company (Cong ty dich thuat co phep) that can provide notarized translations. In HCMC and Hanoi, there are many reliable services; fees typically $20-60 per document.
Costs
Official Fees
| Item | Approximate Cost |
|---|---|
| Marriage registration fee (provincial) | VND 500,000 - 2,000,000 (~$20-80) |
| Health certificate (per person) | ~$30-80 |
| Document translation (per document) | $20-60 |
| Notarization (per document) | $5-20 |
External Document Costs
| Item | Approximate Cost |
|---|---|
| CNI / Marital status certificate (from home country) | $50-200 depending on country |
| Apostille fees (home country) | $25-80 per document |
| Postage/courier (if getting documents from abroad) | $30-100 |
Agent fees if using a professional service to manage the process: typically $400-800.
Total realistic cost: $500-1,500 all-in depending on nationality and number of documents needing apostille.
Timeline
| Phase | Duration |
|---|---|
| Obtaining documents from home country (CNI, birth cert, apostilles) | 2-6 weeks |
| Translation and notarization in Vietnam | 1 week |
| Department of Justice processing | 15-20 business days |
| Total from start to certificate | 6-10 weeks |
The main variable is how quickly you can obtain documents from your home country - particularly the Certificate of No Impediment.
After Registration: Getting Your Vietnamese Marriage Certificate Recognized Abroad
The Vietnamese Marriage Registration Certificate is a Vietnamese legal document. To use it in your home country, you will typically need to:
- Obtain an apostille from Vietnam for the marriage certificate (through Vietnam's Ministry of Foreign Affairs - Consular Department or their provincial offices). Cost: minimal.
- Have it translated into your home country's language by a certified translator
- Register or present it to your home country's civil registry or relevant authority
UK: Register with the General Register Office; you will need an apostille and certified translation.
USA: State-level civil authorities vary; generally requires apostille and certified translation. Some states require additional notarization.
Australia: Register with the relevant state/territory registry.
Confirm current requirements with your home country's consulate or civil registry as processes change.
Getting Married: The Wedding Itself
Registration at the People's Committee or Department of Justice is the legal act. The ceremony is separate.
Many couples:
- Legally register at the Department of Justice (quiet, official, with required witnesses)
- Hold a wedding ceremony separately - traditional Vietnamese wedding banquet, Western ceremony, beach ceremony, or any combination
Vietnamese traditional weddings typically involve a formal engagement ceremony (le an hoi) where the groom's family visits the bride's family, and a wedding banquet with many guests. These are cultural traditions, not legal requirements.
Same-Sex Marriage in Vietnam
As of 2026, Vietnam does not legally recognize same-sex marriage. The National Assembly removed criminal penalties for same-sex ceremonies in 2015, but no legislation for legal recognition has passed. Same-sex partners cannot register a marriage at the Department of Justice.
Frequently Asked Questions
Can we marry at a resort or on the beach? The legal registration must happen at the Department of Justice. You can have your ceremony anywhere you wish. Some resorts have officiant services that accompany the legal registration process.
How long after registration can we apply for the TRC? Immediately. The marriage certificate is the basis for the TRC application; file as soon as you have the certificate.
Does the foreign spouse automatically get a TRC after marriage? No - the TRC must be applied for separately. The marriage certificate enables the application but does not automatically grant residency.
What if one partner cannot be present at the Department of Justice? Both parties typically need to be present. For the submission in some provinces, a Power of Attorney may allow an agent to submit documents, but the interview (if required) usually requires both parties. Confirm with the specific office.
Is a marriage abroad recognized in Vietnam? A legal marriage from abroad can generally be used as evidence in Vietnam (for property, visa purposes, etc.) with appropriate apostille and translation. However, for the Vietnamese TRC based on marriage, Vietnamese immigration typically prefers a Vietnamese Marriage Registration Certificate. This may require registering the foreign marriage at the Department of Justice in Vietnam.
Need Help with Marriage Registration or the TRC Afterward?
Vietnam Launchpad handles marriage registration document preparation for foreign nationals and the subsequent TRC application for the foreign spouse. We know exactly what each province requires and manage the full process.