Vietnam Attestation – Prepare Your UK Documents for Official Use
If you need to use UK documents in Vietnam, you can’t just pack them and go. Vietnam has strict rules. They want to know that your documents are real and checked. That’s where the Vietnam embassy attestation comes in. Whether it’s for a visa, a job, study, or family reasons, your paperwork must follow the right steps. We can help. Our apostille service handles personal documents, business files, and birth certificates, making sure they’re ready for official use abroad.
Quickly and securely authenticate your important documents for use abroad.
Whether it’s for personal or business purposes, our Consular Legalisation ensures your documents — including legal contracts, academic records, and personal certificates — are officially recognised by the Vietnam and other international authorities.
Legal Contracts: Including power of attorney, business agreements, and court documents.
Academic Records: Diplomas, transcripts, and certificates from educational institutions.
Personal Certificates: Birth certificates, marriage certificates, and police clearance certificates.
Our streamlined process guarantees your documents are recognised for employment, education, personal and commercial affairs abroad.
The Legalisation Process of Vietnam Attestation Services
There’s a clear order you must follow. Think of it like climbing three steps. First, check the document. Second, get the apostille certificate. Third, go to the embassy. It sounds simple, but each part has its own rules. Here’s how it works from start to finish.
Step 1
Notary or solicitor certification (If needed)
Some documents, especially legal or civil ones, need a solicitor or notary to check them first. This makes sure the paper is real and correct. If this step is missed, the FCDO may reject it. We’ll tell you if your document needs it. Better to do it right at the start.
Step 2
Apostille from the FCDO
Next, the UK government adds the apostille certificate. This step is handled by the Foreign, Commonwealth & Development Office (FCDO). It proves the signature or stamp on your document is official. But remember, this isn’t the last step for Vietnam.
Step 3
Consular Attestation by the Vietnam Embassy in the UK
The final stop is the embassy in London. They check everything again and add their stamp. This proves to the Vietnamese authorities that your document is fully legal. Without this, it won’t be accepted, no matter what. That’s why this step is so important.
01
Certification
Verifies the document is genuine
02
Apostille
Confirms UK validity for international use
03
Embassy Legalisation
Final stamp from the embassy for use abroad
We keep clients regularly updated at every step, so they always know exactly what’s happening and when.
No Surprises
No Chasing
Just Clear Updates.
- Every document must first be certified either by an SRA-registered solicitor or by a UK notary public (we advise which is required; solicitor certification is included unless a notary is specifically needed).
- The certified document must then obtain an FCDO apostille. Without this apostille, no embassy will legalise the document.
- Once apostilled, the document is submitted to the chosen embassy for final stamping.
A notary stamp alone is never sufficient; an apostille is always required before any embassy will act.
Document Categories That Require Attestation for Vietnam
There’s no one-size-fits-all rule. Different types of documents follow slightly different paths. You might need a solicitor to certify them. Or maybe just the apostille certificate. Sometimes you’ll need both, plus the embassy’s stamp. Knowing the document type helps you take the right steps. Here’s a breakdown of what to expect.
- Academic: These include school reports, diplomas, and university certificates. If you want to study or work in education in Vietnam, you’ll need to get these verified. Usually, your school will first confirm them. Then they go to the FCDO for the apostille. The last step is the embassy in London. Miss one step, and you’ll likely have to start over.
- Civil: Civil documents cover life events: birth, marriage, and death. They are key for visas and family matters. Say you’re registering a child born in the UK with Vietnamese authorities. You’ll need a legalised birth certificate. These documents must be confirmed by the UK and then accepted by Vietnam through the embassy.
- Legal: This group includes Power of Attorney papers, court orders, and divorce rulings. Legal papers must be treated with care. They usually need a solicitor’s check first, then the apostille certificate. After that, the embassy does the final check. If anything’s missing, Vietnam might not accept the document.
- Business: Business documents are key if you’re setting up shop or working with partners in Vietnam. This could include company registration papers, tax forms, and contracts. These must all be confirmed by UK officials and the embassy. They help prove your business is real and legally sound.
- Commercial: These are used when you’re trading goods. Common ones are invoices, certificates of origin, and delivery lists. Without embassy attestation, your goods might get stuck at customs in Vietnam. Each document must show it’s true and checked—no shortcuts.
What Makes Vietnam Different from Apostille-Only Countries?
Vietnam isn’t in the Hague Apostille Convention. That changes things. In many places, an apostille certificate from the UK is enough. Not here. Vietnam asks for extra steps. After the FCDO adds the apostille, the document must go to the Vietnamese embassy in London. No embassy stamp? No approval. This is why Vietnam takes longer and needs more care. Skipping the embassy part could mean delays, rejections, or worse, starting over.
Legend:
= Solicitor Certification
= Notarisation Required
= Need the original
Government-Issued
Birth Certificate
Marriage Certificate
Death Certificate
ACRO Police Certificate
Criminal Record Check
DBS Certificate
Certificate of Naturalisation
Certificate of Impediment
Civil Partnership Certificate
HMRC Letter
Tax Certificate
Court-Issued Document
Immunisation Record
Power of Attorney (Personal)
Affidavit / Statutory Declaration
Parental Consent Letter
Financial Guarantee / Sponsorship
Letter of Authorisation
Invitation Letter
No Objection Certificate (NOC)
Medical Consent Form
Declaration for Property/Inherit.
Adoption Declaration / Agreement
Children Consent Forms
Other
Academic
Bachelor’s Degree Certificate
Master’s Degree Certificate
Degree Transcript
School Certificate
University Letter
Enrolment Letter
Degree Transcript
Reference Letter
Diploma Supplement
Degree Transcript
Results Statement / Transcript
Other
Business & Corporate
Certificate of Incorporation
Articles of Association
Certificate of Incumbency
Certificate of Free Sale
Companies House Documents
Board Minutes
Ben2 Form
Business Letters
Commercial Invoices
Authorised Representative Letters
Memorandum & Articles of Association
Shareholder Agreements
Trade Licences
ISO Certificates
CE Declarations
Power of Attorney (Corporate)
Business Authorisation Letter
Company Board Resolution
Other
Who Needs Vietnam Embassy Legalisation?
Many people need to get their UK documents ready for Vietnam. It’s not only for big companies. Students, families, and workers also need this. Why? Because Vietnam won’t accept your certificate or personal documents unless they’re properly checked and stamped. Whether it’s a criminal record check or a marriage paper, each one must go through this process. Planning ahead saves trouble later. Don’t wait until it’s too late to fix things.
- For employment or residency in Vietnam
If you’re taking a job in Vietnam or planning to stay long-term, your documents must be checked. This includes your CV, degree certificate, and criminal record check. Without legalisation, your visa could be refused. - For enrolling in Vietnamese universities
Students applying to study in Vietnam need to show proof of their education. School records, exam results, and diplomas all need to be legalised. These documents must be verified before the university will accept them. - For corporate expansion or legal representation
UK companies doing business in Vietnam must legalise their paperwork. This means trade contracts, business licences, and company formation documents must all go through attestation to be accepted by the Vietnamese government. - For family-related legal processes (marriage, birth, etc.)
If you’re registering a marriage, a child’s birth, or dealing with custody or adoption, your civil papers need to be official. Birth certificates and marriage records must go through the embassy in London to be valid.
Attesting Business Documents for Vietnam: B2B Legal Requirements
Business paperwork must be clear, official, and legal. That’s true in the UK—and even more so in Vietnam. Before you send off anything, make sure it’s legalised. These are some of the most common business-related documents you may need to process:
- Certificate of Incorporation (COI):
This proves your business exists. It’s a must for opening accounts or signing deals. The embassy needs to check it to make sure it’s real. - Trade contracts:
These show what your business is agreeing to. Whether buying or selling, both sides need confidence that the documents are genuine and legal. - Financial reports:
These show how your business is doing. Vietnam uses them to check your company’s stability. If they’re not properly attested, they might not be accepted.
Each one must be certified, apostilled, and then attested by the embassy. Missing a step can lead to delays or cancelled deals. Don’t risk it.
Embassy Attestation Timelines and Delivery Options
How long does it all take? It depends on the document type and how busy the embassy is. On average, it takes 5 to 7 working days. If you need things done faster, we offer express options. Some documents can even be ready in 2 to 3 days. We also provide tracked courier delivery, secure post, or in-person collection. Whatever your schedule, we’ll work with you to make sure your documents arrive on time and in the right hands.
Why Use Our Legalisation Services?
The process is long, the steps are strict, and the rules change often. But that’s where we come in. We handle every part for you. From checking your documents to dealing with the embassy in London, we take care of it. We make sure nothing’s missed and keep you updated along the way. Whether it’s a birth certificate or business file, we know what documents must be processed and how. With us, your paperwork is in safe hands.
FAQs
Q
Can I get documents for Vietnam attested without visiting the embassy myself?
A
Yes, you can. Many people use our service so they don’t have to go to the embassy themselves. You send us the documents, and we do the rest. We make sure each step is followed, and you get your papers back legalised and ready to use. It’s easy, fast, and safe.
Q
What happens if a document is missing a required stamp or certification?
A
If something’s missing, the document can’t go forward. That means delays. Sometimes you’ll have to start over. We always check everything first. If something’s wrong or missing, we’ll tell you before it becomes a problem. This way, you stay on track, and your papers are done right the first time.
Q
Do Power of Attorney documents need special preparation for Vietnam?
A
Yes, they do. These are legal documents, and they need more care. You’ll likely need a solicitor’s certification first. Then the apostille certificate. Finally, the embassy stamp. Miss a step, and the document won’t be accepted in Vietnam. We know the process and can help you get it done right.
Q
Can you legalise documents issued outside the UK for use in Vietnam?
A
Sometimes we can, but it depends on the document and the country it came from. In some cases, the document must be certified in its home country first. Then we may be able to help with the rest. Let us know what you have—we’ll explain what’s possible and what’s not.
Q
Is Vietnam a member of the Hague Apostille Convention?
A
No, Vietnam isn’t part of the Hague Apostille Convention. That’s why you need more than just the apostille certificate. After you get that, the document still needs to go to the Vietnamese embassy in London. Only then will Vietnam accept it. Make sure you complete both steps.
