On 04 July 2025, the Government issued Decree No. 196/2025/ND-CP amending Decree No. 111/2011/ND-CP on consular certification and consular legalization, in which specific provisions are made on documents and papers exempted from consular legalization.
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Accordingly, the following documents and papers shall be exempted from consular legalization:
- Documents and papers exempted from consular legalization under international treaties to which both Vietnam and the foreign country concerned are parties, or under the principle of reciprocity.
- Documents and papers transferred directly or through diplomatic channels between competent authorities of Vietnam and competent authorities of the foreign country.
- Documents and papers exempted from consular legalization under the laws of Vietnam.
- Foreign documents and papers for which the competent Vietnamese authorities do not require consular legalization on the basis that such authorities are able to verify the authenticity of the documents and papers themselves.
The following documents and papers shall not be subject to consular certification or consular legalization:
- Documents and papers that have been modified or erased but not duly corrected in accordance with legal regulations.
- Forged documents and papers as concluded by competent authorities or those that are improperly issued, certified or executed without proper authority; or forged documents and papers as confirmed by the issuing, certifying authority or by the superior state management authority of such entity.
- Documents and papers containing signatures or seals that are not original (wet) signatures or seals, with respect to non-electronic documents and papers, unless otherwise provided by relevant laws.
- Documents and papers containing contents that infringe upon the interests of the State of Vietnam.
- Electronic versions of documents and papers that do not bear digital signatures of competent authorities or persons, and fail to ensure the integrity, authenticity, and non-repudiation of the data in accordance with regulations on electronic transactions, digital signatures, and electronic documents.
Accordingly, from 03 August 2025, the exemption from consular legalization for certain types of documents and papers shall be implemented in accordance with the provisions of Decree No. 196/2025/ND-CP, thereby contributing to the simplification of administrative procedures and facilitating cross-border transactions in Vietnam.
Decree No. 196/2025/ND-CP takes effect as of 03 August 2025.
=> See more: Scope and conditions for issuance of certificates of orgin from July 1, 2025
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