EnglishA Vietnam Police Check Certificate, or a Criminal Record Certificate, is often required when foreigners apply for a work permit in Vietnam, or for employment or immigration in other countries. This guide provides what foreigners need to get a Vietnam police check certificate in 2026, including required documents, how to apply, fees, processing time and some useful tips.
Important note: Since 1 March 2025, the authority to issue Vietnam police check certificates has been officially transferred from the Ministry of Justice to the Ministry of Public Security. Accordingly, any guidance or procedures referring to applications submitted through the Department of Justice or the National Center for Judicial Records of Vietnam are now outdated and no longer applicable.
What is a Vietnam Police Check Certificate?
A Police Check Certificate certifies whether a person has a criminal record in Vietnam. It is also known as:
- Vietnam Criminal Record Certificate
- Vietnam Police Clearance Certificate
- Vietnam Judicial Record Certificate
- Phiếu lý lịch tư pháp (in Vietnamese)
Foreign nationals aged 16 or older who have resided or are currently residing in Vietnam are eligible to apply for the certificate.
The Provincial Police Department handles applications for foreigners currently living in Vietnam, while those who previously resided in Vietnam can apply through the Record Management Division, Ministry of Public Security.
The certificate may be issued in either electronic or paper form, and both carry equal legal validity.
Types of Certificates
Vietnam issues 2 types of Criminal Record Certificates: Certificate No. 1 and Certificate No. 2.
Criminal Record Certificate No. 1 is a certificate that shows only information regarding unspent criminal records.
Criminal Record Certificate No. 2 is a certificate that displays a full history of all criminal records, including both unspent and spent convictions.
If the applicant has no convictions, both certificates state “no criminal record“.
Required Documents
The application dossier includes some of the following documents, depending on the method of submission:
- Application form for Criminal Record Certificate (if submitting in person)
- Certified true copy of the applicant’s passport (including valid Vietnam visa/visa exemption stamp pages, or Vietnam Temporary Residence Card)
- Certificate of temporary residency certified by the local police (if the applicant is currently residing in Vietnam)
- Notarized authorization letter and copy of the authorized person’s ID card (if applying through an agency)
How to submit
Foreigners currently in or previously residing in Vietnam may request a police check certificate, either by themselves or through an authorized agency. There are 4 submission methods:
Method 1. In-person submission
The applicant submits the dossier in person at the competent police authority. This is the fastest method but may involve long queue times, and incomplete applications may be rejected. Because the procedures are conducted in Vietnamese, applicants are advised to bring a Vietnamese-speaking assistant or authorize someone to handle the application on their behalf.
Method 2. Online submission
The applicant must have a Level 2 electronic identification account in Vietnam (VNeID) to log in to the National Public Service Portal or the VNeID application. After logging in, select “Issue Criminal Record Certificate” under the administrative procedures service group and follow the on-screen instructions. If the application is submitted online, only an electronic Criminal Record Certificate will be issued. A hard copy will not be provided.
Download our step-by-step guide how to obtain a Criminal Record Certificate through VNeID.
Method 3. By postal service
The applicant sends the application dossier together with authentication of the applicant’s signature by post to the competent police authority. This method does not require a Level 2 VNeID account or an in-person visit to the police office. However, the applicant must prepare the dossier accurately and track its progress regularly throughout processing, because any error may delay the result or require the applicant to start over.
Method 4. By an agency
From 1 July 2026, applicants may authorize an agency to submit the application and collect the Police Clearance Certificate on their behalf, for both Certificate No. 1 and Certificate No. 2. This is the most convenient option: the applicant only needs to complete the authorization, and the agency takes care of everything else.
Fee
The government fee for the first two copies of the criminal record certificate is VND 200.000, payable in cash or by bank transfer to the police authority in charge. Any additional copies requested at the same time cost VND 5.000 each.
Processing Time
It typically takes 15 working days from the submission date to process the application. If you choose to receive the result by delivery, it takes an additional 1-5 days for the document to reach the registered address. In practice, it may take longer in some cases, when the police need more time to verify the applicant’s background.
FAQs
Which certificate is required depends on the requesting authority. Based on Nova Law’s experience working with many foreigners: To be safe, always confirm with the requesting authority before applying.
No. Foreigners who have previously lived in Vietnam can apply by post to the competent Vietnamese police authority, or authorize an agency to handle the procedure for them, so there is no need to travel back to Vietnam. However, if the initial application is invalid, the applicant may need to go to Vietnam in person.
The Criminal Record Certificate in Vietnam is issued in Vietnamese only. For submission abroad, it must be translated into the language specified by the receiving country.
It depends on the requirements of the requesting authority. You should always confirm this requirement with the requesting authority before proceeding. If the requesting authority requires the Vietnam Police Clearance Certificate to be legalized, there are 2 ways to do it: Option 1: If the receiving country is a member of the Hague Apostille Convention, obtain a Vietnam Apostille on the certificate. The document will then be recognized in that country, and no further steps are needed. Option 2: If the receiving country is not a member of the Hague Apostille Convention, follow two steps: Consular legalization of Vietnamese documents for use in Spain Learn More: Consular legalization of Vietnam documents for use abroad
The Vietnam Criminal Record Certificate itself does not indicate an expiration date. The validity period depends on the requirements of the requesting authority and the purpose of use. For example: Requirements vary by country and by type of application, so applicants should always confirm the exact validity period with the requesting authority before submitting.
Vietnam Police Check Service for Foreigners
If you would like Nova Law to obtain your Vietnam Police Clearance Certificate, Nova Law will act as your authorized agency. Benefits:
✅ You do not have to research or deal with Vietnam’s complex and frequently changing procedures or bureaucracy, which saves you time, effort, and travel costs.
✅ You only need to authorize Nova Law as your agency, and we take care of the rest with a one-stop service: (1) obtaining the Vietnam Police Clearance Certificate, (2) providing a notarized translation into your required language, (3) obtaining an Apostille stamp if required, and (4) sending everything back to your home country.
Nova Law helps foreign clients with Vietnam police clearance applications every day, with 500+ successful clients from 30+ countries, including complex cases. We keep up with Vietnam’s latest regulations and work regularly with competent police authorities and many Vietnamese embassies abroad, so your application is prepared correctly from the start and any problems can be resolved quickly.
Ready to get started? SEND US YOUR INQUIRY.
Author: Lawyer Nguyen Minh Phuong – Hanoi Bar Association
