Vietnam completes procedures to join Apostille Convention
WVR - Vietnam has officially completed the initial crucial procedures in the process of joining the 1961 Hague Convention Abolishing the Requirement of Legalization for Foreign Public Documents (Apostille Convention), marking a new step in administrative reform and international integration.
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| Announcement on January 14, 2026, by the Hague Conference on Private International Law regarding Vietnam's accession to the Apostille Convention. (Screenshot) |
The Apostille Convention is the most significant and successful international treaty of the Hague Conference on Private International Law, designed to simplify the use of public documents among member countries. Instead of undergoing a multi-step consular legalization process (certification by the issuing country's competent authority and by the diplomatic or consular representative of the country using the documents), documents only need a single certification (Apostille stamp) by the issuing country's competent authority to be valid in other member countries of the Convention.
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In line with the policy to promote administrative reform and enhance international integration, on December 12, 2025, the Government issued Resolution No. 407/NQ-CP, agreeing to join the Apostille Convention and authorizing the Minister of Foreign Affairs to sign the Instrument of Accession. On December 31, 2025, Vietnam's Instrument of Accession was deposited with the Ministry of Foreign Affairs of the Kingdom of the Netherlands – the Depositary of the Convention, and notified to over 125 member countries. According to the Convention's regulations, the Apostille Convention will officially take effect for Vietnam and be applied between Vietnam and member countries accepting this accession from September 11, 2026.
Once the Convention takes effect for Vietnam, citizens and businesses will enjoy numerous practical benefits. Administrative procedures related to the use of public documents abroad will be significantly simplified, reducing time and costs by eliminating multiple certification steps. Additionally, public documents from member countries with an Apostille stamp can be used directly in Vietnam without further consular legalization, facilitating people-to-people exchanges, study, work, settlement, and promoting international business and investment cooperation, thereby improving the investment environment in Vietnam.
Joining the Apostille Convention reaffirms Vietnam's commitment to building a transparent, modern legal environment centered on citizens and businesses in the context of deep international integration.
