In recent years, more and more foreigners have been getting married in Vietnam. However, differences in geography, language, and legal systems can make it challenging for them to fully understand the regulations and legal procedures involved in the process. To help with this, we’ve put together a detailed, step-by-step guide for foreigners getting married in Vietnam
For legal consultation and assistance with Marriage registration services, feel free to reach out
Email: luatnhatthu@gmail.com
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Mục Lục
Marriage Laws for Foreigners in Vietnam
Marriage registration is a legal procedure that establishes the marital relationship between two individuals in accordance with the law.
When registering a marriage, both parties (a man and a woman—or in some cases, individuals marrying under foreign laws) must fully meet the legal conditions for marriage and carry out the procedure at the competent authority.
A marriage involving foreign elements refers to marriages which at least one party is a foreign national (not a Vietnamese citizen).
According to Article 126 of the 2014 Law on Marriage and Family:
- When a foreigner wants to get married in Vietnam, both people must follow the marriage laws of their own countries.
- If the marriage is registered in Vietnam, the foreigner must also meet Vietnam’s legal conditions for marriage.
- If a foreigner lives in Vietnam permanently and wants to register their marriage here, they must also follow the rules in Vietnam’s marriage law.
A marriage between a Vietnamese citizen and a foreign national
To get married in Vietnam as a foreigner, both parties must meet the legal requirements to marry in Vietnam. These include
Minimum age for marriage
- The male must be at least 20 years old, and the female must be at least 18 years old.
- In this context, “at least X years old” means the person has reached their Xth birthday.
Example:
Ms. Robin was born on March 4, 2001. She officially turned 18 on March 4, 2019. This means she became eligible to marry under Vietnamese law starting from that date.
Legal capacity (civil act capacity)
Both people must be mentally capable of making decisions and understanding what marriage means. This means they are not suffering from mental illnesses or other conditions that stop them from being aware of or in control of their actions.
If a person has been declared by a court as lacking civil act capacity (for example, due to a serious mental disorder), they cannot legally get married.
(Article 22 of the 2015 Civil Code of Vietnam.)
Not currently married
Both parties must be legally single at the time of registration.
You’ll need to provide proof that you are not currently married in your home country or anywhere else.
No prohibited relationships
Vietnamese law does not allow marriage between people who have certain family ties. These include:
- Direct blood relatives (e.g. parent and child, siblings);
- Relatives within three generationsl
- Adoptive parents and adopted children (even after adoption has ended);
- Former adoptive parents and adopted children;
- Father-in-law and daughter-in-law, mother-in-law and son-in-law;
- Stepparents and stepchildren
Voluntary consent
Marriage must be based on the free will of both parties. There must be no coercion, pressure, or interference from others. No one has the right to force or prevent a marriage.
Valid documents
Both parties must submit valid personal documents. Any documents issued outside of Vietnam must be legalized through consular authentication and officially translated into Vietnamese.
Authority for Foreigners Getting Married in Vietnam
A marriage between a Vietnamese citizen and a foreigner must be registered at the People’s Committee of the district-level where the Vietnamese citizen has their place of residence.
The term place of residence refers to the location where the Vietnamese citizen regularly lives, including either their permanent residence (nơi thường trú) or temporary residence (nơi tạm trú), as officially recorded.
Marriage Registration Procedure in Vietnam for Foreigners
The process of marriage registration in Vietnam for foreigners involves the following steps:
Requires Documents
To complete the marriage registration procedure in Vietnam for foreigners, both parties must prepare the following documents:
- Marriage Registration Application Form (Tờ khai đăng ký kết hôn)
- Certificate of Marital Status of the foreigner (issued by a competent authority in the foreigner’s home country)
- Certificate of Marital Status of the Vietnamese citizen (issued by the local authority in Vietnam)
- Health Certificate, issued within 6 months before the date of application, by a competent medical organization in Vietnam or abroad, confirming the individual is mentally fit and capable of making decisions
- Certificate of Residence of the Vietnamese citizen to determine the competent registration authority
- Passport / ID Card of the Vietnamese party
- Passport / Travel Document / Residence Card of the foreign party
- Two 4×6 photos of each party (taken within the last 6 months)
- Divorce Judgment or Decree (if previously married and divorced)
- Death Certificate of former spouse (if applicable)
- Confirmation Letter from the relevant authority or organization (if either party is working in a sector requiring approval for marriage)
Step-by-Step Process for Foreigners Getting Married in Vietnam
Step 1: Prepare the Required Documents
Before submitting the marriage application, both the Vietnamese citizen and the foreign national must prepare all required documents as previously guided.
Step 2: Submit the Application
There are two methods for submitting a marriage registration application:
- In person: Submit the application directly at the One-Stop Section or the Public Administration Center of the District-level People’s Committee with jurisdiction.
- Online: Submit via the National Public Service Portal or the Provincial Public Service Portal.
Step 3: Document Review by Civil Status Officer
Upon receiving the application, the civil status officer will review the documents to ensure they are complete, accurate, and legally valid.
- If the documents are complete and valid:
- The civil status officer accepts the application.
- An appointment slip is issued (sent by email or text message if submitted online).
- The file is transferred for further processing.
- If the documents are incomplete or incorrect:
- The civil status officer will notify the applicant of what needs to be supplemented or corrected.
- Once the missing or incorrect information is completed, the officer will reprocess the application.
- If the applicant fails to complete the documents:
- The officer will report to the head of the One-Stop Section, and a formal notice of refusal will be issued.
Step 4: Application Processing
The civil status officer will verify the consistency and legality of the information and supporting documents submitted.
If necessary, the District Justice Division may meet with both parties to confirm their identity, voluntary consent, and intent to marry.
If the application is valid and both parties meet the legal requirements for marriage, the Justice Division will report to the Chairman of the District-level People’s Committee for approval.
Step 5: Receive the Marriage Certificate
Once approved, the Chairman of the People’s Committee will sign two original Marriage Certificates. The Justice Division will arrange for both parties to receive their certificates — one copy for each.
Foreigners Getting Married in Vietnam: How Long Does the Process Take?
According to Article 31(1) and Article 32 of Decree No. 123/2015/ND-CP, the marriage registration process between a Vietnamese citizen and a foreigner in Vietnam typically takes about 13 working days, assuming all documents are complete and valid.
The process includes the following stages:
1. Document Review and Verification (10 working days)
- Once the application is received and deemed valid, the Justice Division under the District-level People’s Committee will review and verify the submitted documents. Additional background checks may be conducted if necessary.
- If all conditions are met, the file will be submitted to the Chairman of the District-level People’s Committee for signing the Marriage Certificate.
2. Issuance of the Marriage Certificate (3 working days)
After the certificate is signed, the Justice Division will organize a formal handover of the Marriage Certificate to both parties.
3. Note on Extension of Certificate Collection Time
If one or both parties are unable to appear in person to receive the certificate on time, the Justice Division may grant an extension.
- The extension period must not exceed 60 days from the date the certificate is signed.
- The extension must be based on a written request submitted to the Justice Division.
Marriage Registration Fees in Vietnam
Government fee
In practice, the total processing time may take longer depending on the specific circumstances of each case.
The marriage registration fee when getting married to a foreigner in Vietnam is not the same across the country. Each province or city sets its own rate according to local regulations (issued by the Provincial People’s Council). Here’s a breakdown of fees in some key locations, along with their legal references:
| No. | Province/City | Marriage Registration Fee (VND) | Legal Basis |
|---|---|---|---|
| 1 | Hanoi | 1,000,000 | Resolution No. 06/2020/NQ-HDND |
| 2 | Ho Chi Minh City | 1,000,000 | Resolution No. 124/2016/NQ-HDND |
| 3 | Da Nang | 1,500,000 | Resolution No. 341/2020/NQ-HDND |
| 4 | Dong Nai | 1,200,000 | Resolution No. 72/2017/NQ-HDND |
| 5 | Nghe An | 1,200,000 | Resolution No. 08/2020/NQ-HDND |
| 6 | Bac Giang | 1,000,000 | Resolution No. 11/2022/NQ-HDND |
| 7 | Tien Giang | 1,500,000 | Resolution No. 83/2014/NQ-HDND |
| 8 | Vinh Phuc | 1,500,000 | Resolution No. 21/2016/NQ-HDND |
Other Related Costs
- Translation and Notarization Fees
- Consular Legalization Fees
- Health Check-up Fees
- Service Fees for Marriage Assistance
Frequently Asked Questions (FAQs)
Do I need a lawyer to marry a foreigner in Vietnam?
No, you don’t have to hire a lawyer to register your marriage.
That said, a lawyer can make the process smoother by explaining the legal requirements and guiding you through the steps, saving you time and avoiding extra costs.
Can one partner be absent during the registration?
Usually, both the Vietnamese citizen and the foreigner need to be present at the marriage registration office to submit documents and sign the marriage certificate.
Both parties are generally required to sign the registry and collect the certificate in person.
Does the Vietnamese partner need a single status certificate?
No. Thanks to Decree 07/2025/ND-CP, Vietnamese citizens no longer need to provide a single status certificate. The marriage office will check your marital status using the national administrative system.
Can I remarry right after divorcing a foreigner?
No. If your divorce was finalized abroad, you’ll need to have the foreign divorce decree recorded or recognized in Vietnam before you can register a new marriage.
Can any hospital do the health check for marriage?
No, not every hospital is qualified. You’ll need to visit a hospital or medical facility specifically authorized to conduct health checks for marriage registration.
Marriage Services for Foreigners in Vietnam
Professional services are available to help foreigners navigate the marriage registration process in Vietnam, offering support with document translation, notarization, and application submissions.
Services Included
Our comprehensive marriage registration services for foreigners in Vietnam include:
- Legal Consultation: Expert advice on the conditions for marriage under Vietnamese law.
- Document Preparation Guidance: Step-by-step support to prepare and complete all required paperwork.
- Translation and Legalization Support: Assistance with translating and notarizing documents, as well as consular legalization of foreign documents.
- Application Submission: Representing clients to submit applications at the district-level People’s Committee.
- Application Tracking and Result Collection: Monitoring the application process and collecting the marriage certificate on behalf of clients.
Benefits of Choosing Luat Nhat Thu’s Marriage Registration Services
Saving Time
No need to spend days researching complex procedures or waiting in line at government offices. Luật Nhật Thư handles the entire process, whether remotely or in person, including drafting documents, guiding you through proper signing, and liaising with authorities. This saves significant time, especially for clients living abroad or unfamiliar with Vietnamese law.
Flexible Handling of Complex Cases
We have extensive experience resolving challenging situations, such as missing personal documents, lost single status certificates, unique nationalities, or language barriers. Each case is approached with a tailored solution to best fit the couple’s specific circumstances.
Multilingual and Dedicated Support
Luật Nhật Thư provides assistance in multiple languages, including English, Korean, Chinese, German, and more.
Our team is patient, listens carefully to your needs, and offers clear, easy-to-understand guidance customized to your situation.
Legally Compliant and Secure for the Long Term
All documents are thoroughly reviewed to ensure strict compliance with Vietnamese laws on marriages involving foreign elements. This guarantees the long-term legal validity of your marriage and facilitates future procedures, such as applying for a spouse visa, citizenship, immigration sponsorship, or registering a child’s birth.
Comprehensive Support Beyond Marriage Registration
In addition to marriage registration, we offer related legal services for international marriages, including consular legalization and recording marriages abroad.
Read More: Marriage Registration Service with Foreigners – Fast and All-Inclusive
About Us
For direct consultation with our lawyers regarding marriage registration for foreigners in Vietnam, please contact us at:
Luật Nhật Thư Law Firm
🏛 Head Office: No. 4, Group 32, Hoàng Văn Thụ Ward, Hoàng Mai District, Hanoi City, Vietnam.
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✅ Business Registration No. 01022087/TP/ĐKHĐ issued by the Hanoi Department of Justice, Notification No. 3174/TB-STP.
✅ Lawyer License/Certificate No. 17466/TP/LS-CCHN issued by the Ministry of Justice on 22/11/2019.
Branch in Da Nang: 147 Nui Thanh, Hai Chau District, Da Nang City.
Branch in Ho Chi Minh City: 84N Nguyen Dinh Chieu, Da Kao, District 1, Ho Chi Minh City.
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Office Address:
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