How to Submit Documents for Legalization to the Vietnam Embassy

How to Submit Documents for Legalization to the Vietnam Embassy

Here is a step-by-step guide for legalizing U.S. documents for use in Vietnam:

✅ Step 1: Notarize the Document (if required)

If your document is not issued by a government agency, it usually must be:

• Notarized by a licensed notary public.

• Accompanied by a Notary Acknowledgment or Jurat.

Examples that require notarization:

• Power of Attorney

• Affidavits

• Business contracts

✅ Step 2: Get the Document Authenticated by the Secretary of State

• Submit the notarized or official document to the Secretary of State in the state where it was issued.

• Request a Certificate of Authentication (not an apostille).

📍 For example: Use the California Secretary of State – Authentication Unit if the document originated in California.

🔗 California Secretary of State Authentication Info

✅ Step 3: U.S. Department of State Authentication (Federal Level)

Send the state-authenticated document to the U.S. Department of State, Office of Authentications in Washington, D.C.

• Use Form DS-4194.

• Pay the processing fee (typically $20).

• Include a prepaid return envelope.

🔗 U.S. Department of State Authentication Info

✅ Step 4: Submit to the Embassy or Consulate of Vietnam

After receiving the U.S. Department of State authentication, submit the documents to the Embassy of Vietnam in Washington, D.C. or a Vietnamese Consulate (such as in San Francisco or Houston).

Required items for submission:

• Original document (with all prior authentications attached)

• A cover letter explaining the purpose of legalization

• Copy of your passport or ID

• Payment for consular fees (usually $10–$50 per document)

• Prepaid return envelope

• Vietnam Embassy or Consulate Legalization Request Form (if applicable)

🔗 Embassy of Vietnam in Washington, D.C. – Legalization Service

🔗 Vietnam Consulate in San Francisco – Legalization Info

📝 Example Documents Commonly Legalized for Vietnam

📦 How to Submit by Mail

Mail your completed packet to the Vietnamese Embassy:

Embassy of Vietnam
1233 20th Street NW, Suite 400
Washington, DC 20036
Attn: Legalization Section

✅ Include:

• State-authenticated document

• U.S. Department of State authentication

• Passport copy

• Payment (cashier’s check or money order)

• Prepaid return envelope (FedEx, UPS)

🚨 Important Tips

• Do not send apostilles—Vietnam will reject them.

• Use certified translations if the document is not in Vietnamese (especially for legal or academic documents).

• Check the latest fee schedule and processing times directly on the embassy website before mailing.

🔧 Orange County Apostille Can Help

If you’re offering Embassy Legalization Support for Vietnam:

• You can assist with notarization, state authentication, federal authentication, and embassy submission.

• You can offer translation services and return shipping options.

• You can bundle these into a Vietnam Legalization Package.