APPLYING CRIMINAL RECORD CERTIFICATE TYPE 2 FOR FOREIGNERS OUTSIDE VIETNAM 2025

Friday, 09/05/25

As of early 2025, more and more foreigners who once lived, worked, or studied in Vietnam are seeking Criminal Record Certificate Type 2 for immigration, legal, or personal purposes—without having to return to Vietnam. With new regulations now in effect under the Ministry of Public Security, the process has changed and raised many questions for applicants overseas. This updated guide walks you through the latest, most efficient, and legally compliant steps to successfully apply for a Vietnamese Criminal Record Certificate Type 2 from abroad.

WHAT IS VIETNAM CRIMINAL RECORD CERTIFICATE TYPE 2?

Criminal Record Certificate is an official document issued by the competent state authority in Vietnam to confirm whether an individual has any criminal conviction or the status of the execution of a criminal sentence (if applicable).

Criminal Record Certificate No. 2 provides more detailed information, including any expunged criminal records, and cannot be authorized for someone else to apply on behalf of the individual (except in special cases). This type of certificate is typically required in various legal or judicial procedures, including:

Participation in criminal or civil proceedings
Immigration or permanent residency procedures abroad
Marriage to a Vietnamese citizen
Requests from courts or foreign law enforcement agencies

Who Needs to Apply for Criminal Record Certificate No. 2 While Abroad?

Foreigners who previously resided, worked, or studied in Vietnam but are no longer in the country and need the criminal record certificate to complete legal, immigration, or judicial procedures in their current country of residence.
Foreigners who have left Vietnam for many years and are unable to return to apply for the certificate in person.
Individuals required to submit Criminal Record Certificate Type 2 by the receiving authority, instead of Criminal Record Certificate Type 1.

Why Is It Important to Identify the Right Certificate?

Understanding the specific type of certificate, you need to apply for at the beginning of the process will help you avoid confusion, save time, and ensure that you meet the requirements of the authority requesting the certificate. Therefore, it is essential to clearly identify the type of criminal record certificate you need before starting the application process.

KEY UDATED FOR VIETNAM CRIMINAL RECORD CERTIFICATE ISSUANCE PROCESS 2025

As of March 1, 2025, the responsibility for the management and issuance of Criminal Record Certificates has been transferred from the Ministry of Justice to the Ministry of Public Security. This change is in line with the directives of the Party and the State, aiming to streamline the administrative processes and improve the efficiency of state management in the field of criminal records. The transition has introduced several significant updates to the procedures for receiving, processing, and issuing Criminal Record Certificates, especially for applications submitted from abroad.

COMPREHENSIVE GUIDE TO APPLYING FOR CRIMINAL RECORD CERTIFICATE TYPE 2 OUTSIDE OF VIETNAM

📌 Required Documents for Criminal Record Certificate Type 2 Application

No.	Required Documents	How to Prepare	Important Notes
1	Application Form for Criminal Record Certificate No. 2	Use Form No. 01/2025; must be signed by the applicant	Provide complete personal details, nationality, period of residence in Vietnam, and the purpose of requesting the certificate.
2	Passport	Certified true copy at the Vietnam Embassy/Consulate in your current country of residence	Include certified true copies of all pages with entry/exit stamps or residence stamps in Vietnam. If you have a new passport, provide certified true copy of your old passport as well.
3	Temporary Residence Card or Separate Visa (if applicable)	Certified true copy at the Vietnam Embassy/Consulate in your current country of residence

📌 Submission Process and Receiving Results

For Criminal Record Certificate No. 2, applicants are not allowed to authorize others to submit the application or receive the results. Therefore, applicants must submit the application directly to the processing agency.

Category	Details for Criminal Record Type 2 Procedure	Notes
Submission Process	Send your documents via international courier service to: Ministry of Public Security – Department of Criminal Records and Archives 54C Tran Hung Dao, Hang Bai, Hoan Kiem, Hanoi, Vietnam. Results will be returned via international mail to the address you provide abroad.	Use tracked shipping services (e.g., DHL, FedEx) to ensure secure delivery. Make sure all documents are accurate and complete to avoid delays or rejection.
Processing Time	10–15 working days from the date a complete and valid application is received by the Department of Criminal Records and Archives.	This does not include shipping time to/from Vietnam. Add extra time for courier when planning your application.
Fees & Payment	Fee: ~200,000 VND per issuance Reference: Circular No. 244/2016/TT-BTC Payment via bank transfer to the Ministry of Public Security's designated account. Account details will be provided after application submission or via direct contact.	Keep a copy of the bank transfer receipt. It’s recommended to send the receipt with your application or by email to avoid processing delays.

WHAT NEED TO DO AFTER HAVING RESULT OF VIETNAM CRIMINAL RECORD TYPE 2?

A Vietnamese Criminal Record Certificate (Type 2) is not automatically valid abroad. To use it overseas, you must:

Translate it into the destination country's required language.
Authenticate it at the Vietnam Ministry of Foreign Affairs (MOFA).
Legalize it at the destination country's embassy/consulate in Vietnam or contact their mission in your home country for further instructions.

Because you will receive the result directly from the competence authority in Vietnam to your overseas address, this process is only can proceed with a photocopy of the certificate rather than the original. Which means that stamp of Ministry of Foreign Affairs will be placed on a set that includes: A photocopy of the Criminal Record Certificate Type 1 with the certified English translation.

Applying for Criminal Record Certificate Type 2 from abroad, especially during the transition between authorities, may cause confusion for many foreigners if they are not familiar with the process and requirements. However, by preparing the full application, following the guidelines correctly, and submitting it to the proper agency, you can complete this procedure without needing to return to Vietnam.

If you still have any questions or need detailed assistance with each step, don't hesitate to contact Visa5s.com for advice and guidance on thorough preparation, helping you save time, costs, and avoid unnecessary mistakes.

We hope this article has provided you with clear and useful information. We wish you a smooth process in obtaining your Criminal Record Certificate Type 2!

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APPLYING CRIMINAL RECORD CERTIFICATE TYPE 2 FOR FOREIGNERS OUTSIDE VIETNAM 2025

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