How to Obtain Divorce Records for Foreigners in Vietnam

Find out how foreigners can request Vietnam divorce records, identify the issuing court and prepare certified copies or documents for use overseas.

If youre a foreign national who was previously divorced in Vietnam, or you need to obtain proof of divorce for legal purposes abroad, youll likely need an official divorce certificate in Vietnam or a certified copy of the divorce judgment. This guide will walk you through everything you need to know about requesting a divorce record for foreigners in Vietnam.

Why You May Need a Divorce Record in Vietnam

Foreigners may need to obtain a certified copy of divorce in Vietnam for many reasons:

• Remarriage, either in Vietnam or abroad
• Immigration or visa processing
• Updating civil status records in your home country
• Legal proof for child custody, alimony, or property disputes

Understanding which divorce record you need is the first step. Ask the authority or institution receiving the document about its requirements, including any certification, translation or authentication needed for the intended use.

What is Considered a Divorce Record in Vietnam?

A divorce record generally includes:

• The divorce judgment issued by a Vietnamese court
• A certificate of divorce, issued by the Civil Status Registry (if applicable)
• A certified extract from the civil status book, confirming the divorce registration

For foreigners, the most important documents are usually the divorce judgment and a certified extract of the divorce record in Vietnam, especially if legalization or consular use is required.

Who Can Request a Divorce Record?

You can request a divorce record for foreigners in Vietnam if you are:

• One of the divorced parties (husband or wife)
• A legally authorized representative (with power of attorney)
• A government body or court that requires the document for legal proceedings

How to Get Divorce Papers in Vietnam: Step-by-Step

Step 1: Determine the Type of Record You Need

• For court purposes: request the divorce judgment from the court where the divorce was finalized
• Court jurisdiction must be checked under the current Civil Procedure Code, including the changes effective from 1 July 2025. Regional People’s Courts now exercise first-instance jurisdiction over marriage and family cases within their statutory remit. International jurisdiction and the appropriate territorial court must still be assessed from the parties’ residence, the request and relevant assets.

Step 2: Prepare Required Documents

• Valid passport and/or Vietnamese ID
• Divorce case number (if known)
• Authorization letter (if applying via representative)
• Application form (can be obtained from the local authority or online portal)

Step 3: Submit the Application

You can submit at:

• The Peoples Court that issued the divorce ruling (for judgment copies)
• The Department of Justice or Peoples Committee (for civil registry extracts)
• Or via the Vietnam National Public Service Portal (if applicable)

Step 4: Pay the Processing Fee

• Check the current fee and any copying charges with the issuing court or authority.
• Additional fees may apply for certified translations or legalization

Step 5: Receive the Record

• Processing time: confirm with the issuing authority for the record requested
• Records may be provided in Vietnamese; certified translations may be required for use abroad

Do Divorce Records Need Legalization?

If you plan to use the document in a foreign country, especially one that is not a party to the Apostille Convention, your divorce record will likely need to be:

1. Translated by a certified translator
2. Notarized
3. Authenticated by the Ministry of Foreign Affairs in Vietnam
4. Legalized by the relevant foreign embassy/consulate

A foreign national seeking a Vietnamese divorce record should identify the document required, obtain an appropriate copy or extract and check the requirements of the intended recipient. Preparing the record correctly supports its use, but acceptance abroad depends on the receiving authority and the applicable rules.

For complex or urgent cases, you may want to consult with a Vietnamese family lawyer or legal services agency specializing in expat procedures.

Check the authentication route before submitting foreign records

For a foreign public document, check whether an Apostille Convention route, a legalisation exemption or consular legalisation applies to the issuing state and document. Vietnam’s Apostille Convention entry into force is 11 September 2026; applicability between the states concerned, including objections, must be checked. Authentication does not remove Vietnamese translation or substantive evidential requirements.