Consular services
Consular legalisation and Apostille
Vietnam has joined the Apostille Convention, which entered into force for Vietnam on 11 September 2026. For public documents issued in Australia, the process is usually shorter than before, but some cases still have to follow the old legalisation route.
What this service is
A document issued by the authorities of one country usually has to go through a step confirming its seal and signature before it can be used in another country. Previously that step was consular legalisation: the document went through the Australian Department of Foreign Affairs and Trade (DFAT), and then to the Embassy of Vietnam.
According to the notice on the Embassy's website, Vietnam has joined the Apostille Convention (signed on 5 October 1961), which entered into force for Vietnam on 11 September 2026. From that date, Australian public documents used in Vietnam only need an Apostille certificate, and the Embassy does not accept legalisation of documents that already carry an Apostille from the Australian foreign affairs authority.
Who needs it and when
Australian documents used in Vietnam: birth certificates, marriage certificates, qualifications, criminal record checks, powers of attorney and other public documents. Common examples are applications for citizenship, civil status registration, inheritance, property transactions or study.
Vietnamese documents used in Australia: according to a legal analysis, the Vietnamese Ministry of Foreign Affairs is the competent authority for issuing Apostilles, and this may gradually be delegated to some provincial People's Committees. We have not been able to verify how Australian agencies are currently handling Vietnamese documents that carry an Apostille, so please ask the agency receiving your application before you proceed.
An Apostille only confirms the origin of the document (signature, capacity and seal). It does not confirm the content, does not replace a translation, and does not guarantee that the receiving agency will accept it.
Documents usually needed
- Apostille route: the original Australian document with a DFAT Apostille, and an application on the Embassy's form if you need a copy or translation certified here.
- A Vietnamese translation, notarised or certified under Vietnamese law, if the document is not in Vietnamese.
- Old legalisation route (documents outside the scope of the Convention): a consular legalisation declaration form, a copy of identity documents (identity card, passport or driver licence), the document already authenticated by DFAT, and an addressed envelope if receiving it by post.
- Some documents, such as the qualifications of many universities, need to be confirmed by the issuing body before being submitted to DFAT.
Steps
- Work out where the document will be used, which agency will receive it, and whether it falls within the scope of the Apostille.
- Send the original to DFAT for an Apostille (if needed, ask the issuing body to confirm it first).
- Translate it into Vietnamese and have the Embassy certify the translation or copy if the receiving place requires it.
- Cases outside the scope of the Convention: after DFAT authentication, lodge the legalisation application at the Embassy.
- Collect the documents back in person or by post.
Timing and fees
According to the Embassy: a translation or certification accompanying an Apostille usually takes 1 to 3 working days for a simple document, while legalisation by the old route takes 1 to 2 working days. If the seal or signature needs to be verified, it takes longer. This does not include time at DFAT and in the post.
The Embassy's fees are not stated as amounts on its page. The DFAT Apostille fee, according to the Hague Conference on Private International Law website, is AUD 102 (effective from January 2025) and may increase each year on 1 January. Please check again on the DFAT and Smartraveller websites before lodging.
How TNT Global helps
We check whether your documents fall under the Apostille route or the old legalisation route, remind you of the confirmation step before sending to DFAT, translate into Vietnamese or English when needed, prepare the application and send it by tracked post. TNT Global helps prepare, translate and lodge documents; the issue of an Apostille or legalisation is decided by DFAT, the Embassy and the competent authorities.
Common mistakes
- Following guidance from before 11 September 2026 and still sending documents that already carry an Apostille to the Embassy for legalisation.
- Sending a copy instead of the original to DFAT, or a print-out of an electronic document, which is not treated as an original.
- Thinking that an Apostille replaces a translation. A document that is not in Vietnamese still needs a translation that meets the requirements.
- Not asking the receiving agency in advance whether it requires anything further.
Need help with this procedure?
Send us the type of document and your deadline. We reply by email with a document checklist and costs.
