Insight Hub
Welcome to our Insight Hub — where we share timely insights, legal updates, and practical guidance for foreigners working and doing business in Vietnam.
From doing business to daily living — this section brings together practical knowledge and timely updates to support you at every stage of your journey in Vietnam.
NEW REGULATION REGARDING THE AUTHORITY CHANGE FOR ISSUING CRIMINAL RECORD CERTIFICATES
By LevelAdvise Legal Team | April 11th, 2025, Ho Chi Minh City
Abstract
From March 1, 2025, the Department of Justice will no longer be responsible for issuing criminal record certificates. This procedure will be officially transferred to the Department of Records Management, Ministry of Public Security, or Division of Records Management at the Provincial Police.
Regulations
When applying for a work permit, foreign workers are required to submit a criminal record certificate. Many foreigners opt to obtain this certificate from Vietnamese authorities. Recent regulations in Vietnam regarding this matter have undergone significant changes. Let's explore these updates with Level Advise.
1. Which authority is responsible for issuing criminal record certificates?
From March 1, 2025, the Department of Justice will no longer process applications for criminal record certificates. This responsibility will be transferred to the Department of Records Management, Ministry of Public Security, or Division of Records Management at the Provincial Police. Individuals must contact the provincial police department in their place of residence to obtain their certificate.
2. Where should foreigners submit their application for a criminal record certificate?
Foreigners should submit their applications to the Division of Records Management at the Provincial Police in the area where they are temporarily residing in Vietnam. If a foreigner has previously resided in Vietnam but no longer does, they can still apply for this paper at the Department of Records Management, Ministry of Public Security.
Some authorities address:
-
Department of Records Management, Ministry of Public Security in Hanoi: 54C Tran Hung Dao, Hoan Kiem District, Hanoi.
-
Department of Records Management, Ministry of Public Security in Ho Chi Minh City: 268 Tran Hung Dao, Nguyen Cu Trinh Ward, District 1, Ho Chi Minh City.
-
Division of Records Management, Hanoi Police: 13 Han Thuyen, Pham Dinh Ho Ward, Hai Ba Trung District, Hanoi.
-
Division of Records Management, Ho Chi Minh City Police: 268 Tran Hung Dao, Nguyen Cu Trinh Ward, District 1, Ho Chi Minh City.
3. Can foreigners authorize someone else to apply for a criminal record certificate on their behalf?
Yes, foreigners can authorize someone else to apply for a criminal record certificate on their behalf. However, there are some requirements:
-
Authorization can only be made to apply for a Certificate No. 1. For Certificate No. 2, the foreigner must submit the application in person, as delegation is not allowed. Typically, for a work permit application, you only need Certificate No. 1.
-
The Power of Attorney must be notarized by a competent notary office.
4. State fees and Processing time:
-
Criminal record certificate issuance fee: 200,000 VND/person (for 2 copies).
-
Additional copy: 5,000 VND/copy.
The application will be processed within 15 working days from the date the Vietnamese authority receives the valid request.
5. Required documents
-
Foreigner’s passport
-
Valid Visa/TRC
-
Temporary residence registration confirmed by the ward police
-
Application form
-
Power of attorney (in case of authorization)
-
ID of the authorized person (in case of authorization)
6. Additional notes
In Ho Chi Minh City, there is a high demand for criminal record certificates. It is recommended to arrive 15-30 minutes before working time to get an order number.
The application form has been updated. You can prepare the form in advance (Form No. 01/2025/LLTP for self-submission or Form No. 02/2025/LLTP for authorization). Alternatively, you can go to the police station for assistance in filling out the form.
We hope that the information shared by Level Advise helps you navigate the process of obtaining a criminal record certificate more smoothly. If you have any further questions, feel free to contact us for assistance.
📩 Need help with issuing Criminal Record Certificate? Please feel free to reach out for our help.
Let our legal advisors walk you through your situation with clarity and care.
📍 Office: 32 Pham Ngoc Thach, Vo Thi Sau Ward, District 3, HCMC
📧 Email: info@leveladvise.com
🌐 Web: www.leveladvise.com
