Your degree must undergo consular legalization through multiple government authorities because Vietnam is not a member of the Hague Apostille Convention. The authentication process requires 3-5 steps (depending on your country), involves notarization, state/federal authentication, Vietnam Embassy certification, and Vietnamese translation. Professional services complete this process in 2-3 weeks for US documents and 7-10 working days for UK documents.
For foreign language teachers and ESL/EFL educators planning to work in Vietnam, degree authentication is a mandatory legal requirement under Decree 152/2020/ND-CP. This guide provides step-by-step instructions with verified timelines and costs from official government sources and authorized legalization services.
Why Can’t I Just Use an Apostille for Vietnam?
Vietnam is not a contracting party to the Hague Convention Abolishing the Requirement of Legalization for Foreign Public Documents (the 1961 Hague Apostille Convention). This means apostille certificates alone are not recognized by Vietnamese authorities.
Even if your home country is a Hague Convention member and your degree has an apostille stamp, you must complete additional legalization through the Vietnam Embassy or Consulate in your home country.
The authentication process for Vietnam requires:
- Authentication by your home country’s competent authority (Secretary of State, Foreign Ministry, or equivalent)
- Legalization by Vietnam’s diplomatic mission in your home country (Embassy or Consulate General)
- Final certification by Vietnam’s Ministry of Foreign Affairs (after arrival in Vietnam)
This multi-tier system ensures Vietnamese authorities can verify your degree’s legitimacy before issuing a work permit. According to Decree No. 111/2011/ND-CP of December 5, 2011 on consular certification and legalization, consular legalization means “the competent Vietnamese agencies’ certification of stamps, signatures and titles on papers and documents issued by foreign agencies for being recognized and used in Vietnam.”.
Learn more about common work permit issues: Top 10 Reasons for Vietnam Work Permit Rejection and How to Avoid Them
What Documents Need Authentication for a Vietnam Teaching Work Permit?
Foreign teachers must authenticate their bachelor’s degree (or higher) and teaching qualification (TEFL, TESOL, CELTA, or teaching license). A criminal background check is also required but the authentication requirements vary by country.
According to multiple sources on Vietnam work permit requirements, the mandatory documents are:
Mandatory Documents:
- Bachelor’s degree or higher – Must be authenticated
- TEFL/TESOL/CELTA certificate or teaching license – Must be authenticated
- Criminal background check – Must be issued within 6 months of work permit application and authenticated
Additional Documents (if applicable):
- Marriage certificate (if bringing spouse)
- Birth certificates (if bringing children)
Critical Requirement: Under Decree 152/2020/ND-CP, foreign teachers must hold both a bachelor’s degree and a relevant teaching qualification. Authentication of both documents is required.
Criminal Background Check Validity: The criminal record check must be “issued within 6 months” of work permit submission.
How Do I Authenticate My US Degree for Vietnam? (Step-by-Step)
US degree authentication requires 3-5 steps depending on which state the notary is licensed in: (1) notarization, (2) county clerk authentication (in specific states only), (3) Secretary of State certification, (4) US Department of State authentication (in specific states only), and (5) Vietnam Embassy legalization.
Step 1: Notarization
Your degree must be notarized by a local notary public, lawyer, or Commissioner of Oaths. “Certified copies of your original documents are typically accepted for legalization, however, verify this with your employer.”
Step 2: County Clerk Authentication (If Applicable)
“Documents notarized in the following states must be authenticated at the county level: Alabama, Georgia, Hawaii, Kentucky, Maryland, New York, and Tennessee.”
If your documents were not notarized in these states, skip this step.
Step 3: Secretary of State Certification
“Take your documents to the SOS [Secretary of State] to get authenticated. If you are doing this step on your own, make sure you indicate that the document will be used for Vietnam and do not take apart staples!”
Critical: Clearly indicate “for use in Vietnam” on your application form.
Step 4: US Department of State Authentication (If Required)
“This step is only relevant if your document was authenticated in the following states: Washington DC, Delaware, Idaho, Kentucky, Maryland, Montana, Nebraska, North Carolina, North Dakota, South Carolina, South Dakota, Tennessee, Utah, Virginia, West Virginia, and Wyoming.”
If your documents were authenticated in other states, skip this step and proceed directly to the Vietnam Embassy.
US Department of State Office of Authentications
Form required: DS-4194 (Request for Authentication Service)
Step 5: Vietnam Embassy Legalization
Submit your authenticated documents to the nearest Vietnam Embassy or Consulate General in the US.
Required Items:
- Application for legalization of documents (Form available on embassy website)
- Original + 1 copy of documents that have been authenticated in previous steps
- Original or photo copy of requester’s ID (passport or ID card)
- Fees: $70 USD per document – Pay by Money Orders or Cashier’s Checks only (no personal checks or cash if submitting by mail)
- Self-addressed postage-paid return envelope (use FedEx or USPS Express Mail for tracking)
Vietnam Embassy Locations in the US:
- Embassy of Vietnam, Washington, DC
- Vietnam Consulate General, San Francisco, CA
- Vietnam Consulate General, Houston, TX
- Vietnam Consulate General, New York, NY
Processing Time: The Vietnam Embassy processes legalization requests within approximately 5-7 business days after receiving complete documents.
Total Timeline for US Authentication
Professional services complete US degree authentication in 2-3 weeks.
“The process typically takes 2-3 weeks, depending on the type of document and its origin.”
How Do I Authenticate My UK Degree for Vietnam?
UK degree authentication requires 3 steps: (1) solicitor certification (if not government-issued), (2) Foreign, Commonwealth & Development Office (FCDO) apostille, and (3) Vietnam Embassy attestation in London.
Step 1: Solicitor Certification
If your degree is not government-issued (most university degrees are not), it must first be certified by a UK solicitor.
Step 2: FCDO Apostille
Submit certified documents to the Foreign, Commonwealth & Development Office for apostille certification.
Step 3: Vietnam Embassy Attestation
“Vietnam is not currently a member of The Hague Convention. This means that documents required for business or personal use in Vietnam must be legalised with the apostille and attested by the Vietnamese embassy.”
Submit apostilled documents to:
Embassy of the Socialist Republic of Vietnam
12-14 Victoria Road
London, W8 5RD
United Kingdom
UK Professional Services
“Most orders are completed in just 7-10 working days.”
Cost for full service (degree + TEFL): “£177 per document” (standard Vietnam attestation service)
Rapid Legalisation Service: “When done on your own, Vietnam Embassy London legalisation can take more than 10-15 days. However, experienced legalisation services like Rapid Legalisation Service can get the task of degree certificate attestation for Vietnam done in just 2-4 days.”
If challenges arise: What to Do if Your Vietnam Work Permit is Rejected: Complete Recovery Guide for Teachers
How Do I Authenticate My Canadian Degree for Vietnam?
Canadian degree authentication can be completed in Canada before arrival, or at the Canadian Embassy in Vietnam after arrival. The Vietnam-based option is faster and more cost-effective for most teachers.
Option A: Authentication in Canada (Before Arrival)
- Notarization: Get your degree notarized at a local notary public, lawyer, or Commissioner of Oaths
- Global Affairs Canada Authentication: (Optional but recommended) Send to Global Affairs Canada for authentication – this is a free service
- Vietnam Embassy Legalization: Submit to Vietnam Embassy in Canada
Option B: Authentication at Canadian Embassy in Vietnam (Recommended)
“Honestly, it is faster to get everything done in Vietnam. Bring your original Bachelor’s Degree and have it notarised at the Canadian Embassy for $20 CDN. While you are there do an affidavit for your TEFL Certificate for 50 CDN.”
Canadian Embassy Vietnam Services:
- Degree notarization: $20 CAD
- TEFL affidavit (for non-Canadian institutions): $50 CAD
Important for TEFL Certificates: “Because ITA [International TEFL Academy] is not a Canadian Institution, your TEFL certificate cannot be notarised. You will need an affidavit.”
“Because the government [Canadian Embassy] is doing the notarization, the documents don’t need to be authenticated.” The employer then handles final legalization with Vietnamese authorities.
What Happens After Authentication? (Final Steps in Vietnam)
After receiving your Vietnam Embassy-legalized documents, you must complete two final steps in Vietnam: (1) professional Vietnamese translation by a licensed translation agency, and (2) submission to Vietnam’s Ministry of Foreign Affairs for consular legalization.
Step 1: Vietnamese Translation
“Foreign documents must be translated into Vietnamese and certified” before being submitted to competent bodies of Vietnam.
All foreign documents must be “translated into Vietnamese or English, if such documents are not prepared in the above languages.”
The translation must be completed by a licensed translation agency and notarized. Your employer typically arranges this service. (Cost varies by translation agency – no verified standard rate found in research)
Step 2: Vietnam Ministry of Foreign Affairs Legalization
“Normally, the processing time is 1 working day since your submission of the full required dossiers. However, if your papers or documents consist of at least 10 pages, it may take up to 5 working days for your consular legalization.”
Locations for final legalization:
In Hanoi: Consular Department, Ministry of Foreign Affairs
40 Tran Phu Street, Ba Dinh District, Hanoi
In Ho Chi Minh City: Department of External Relations, Ministry of Foreign Affairs
184 bis Pasteur Street, Ben Nghe Ward, District 1, Ho Chi Minh City
Required Documents for Legalization:
- Vietnam consular legalization request form No. LS/HPH-2012/TK
- The requested document(s), which have been certified by foreign diplomatic missions
- 01 translation of requested documents into Vietnamese or English
- 01 copy of documents for embassy records
- Original identity documents (if submitting in person) OR 01 copy (if submitting by post)
(Fee information varies by province – no standardized fee found in research)
How Long Does the Entire Process Take?
Verified Timelines by Country
United States:
- Professional services: 2-3 weeks
- Teaching Nomad: “From start to finish, the process can take between 2-4 weeks on average”
United Kingdom:
- Professional services: 7-10 working days
- DIY timeline: “more than 10-15 days”
Canada:
- In Canada then mail to Vietnam Embassy: “3-5 weeks”
- At Canadian Embassy in Vietnam: 1-2 weeks
Planning Recommendation: Start authentication at least 6-8 weeks before your intended work start date to account for authentication time, Vietnamese translation, employer’s work permit application, and visa processing.
How Much Does Degree Authentication Cost for Vietnam?
Verified Costs by Country
United States:
- Monument Visa full service: $200 per document
- Vietnam Embassy legalization fee: $70 per document
- Teaching Nomad authentication service: Available (specific pricing not disclosed in research)
United Kingdom:
- Apostille.org.uk: £177 per document (full Vietnam attestation including solicitor certification, apostille, and embassy certificate)
- Aspire Attestation: £240-410 for full business document legalization
- Processing time: “1 to 7 working days”
Canada:
- Canadian Embassy in Vietnam notarization: $20 CAD (for degrees)
- Canadian Embassy in Vietnam affidavit: $50 CAD (for TEFL certificates from non-Canadian institutions)
- Global Affairs Canada authentication: Free
Additional Costs (where verified):
- Notarization in US: Varies by notary (typically charged per stamp)
- Secretary of State fees: Vary by state (typically $5-50 range mentioned but specific fees not verified)
- Vietnamese translation: Cost varies by translation agency (no standard rate verified)
- Vietnam MoFA legalization: Fee varies by province (no standardized fee verified)
Cost Disclaimer: Many authentication costs vary by state, province, service provider, and document type. Contact specific authorities or professional services for current exact pricing.
What Are Common Mistakes in Degree Authentication?
1. Not Specifying “For Use in Vietnam”
“If you are doing this step on your own, make sure you indicate that the document will be used for Vietnam and do not take apart staples!”
Many Secretary of State offices require you to specify the destination country on authentication forms.
2. Removing Staples from Documents
“Make sure you indicate that the document will be used for Vietnam and do not take apart staples!”
Government offices often staple certificates to your original documents. Removing these staples can invalidate the authentication.
3. Expired Criminal Background Checks
Criminal background checks must be “issued within the last 6 months” of work permit submission.
“Must be issued within 6 months of submission.”
If your background check expires during the authentication process, you’ll need to reapply.
4. Using Incorrect Payment Methods for Vietnam Embassy
“Fees: Please pay by Money Orders or Cashier’s Checks (Certified Checks) payable to the ‘Embassy of Vietnam’.” Vietnam Embassies in the US do not accept personal checks or cash by mail.
5. Incomplete Return Envelopes
“Mail back: A self-addressed postage-paid return envelope. You should use one of the following mailing services which provide tracking numbers: Federal Express (FedEx), or USPS Express Mail.”.
6. Working on a Tourist Visa (ILLEGAL)
“Working on a Tourist Visa: It’s illegal and risky.”
According to vietnam-briefing.com (April 2024): “Those who violate the regulations by working in Vietnam without a work permit may be penalized or, if unable to meet work permit requirements, deported back to their home countries within 15 days. In addition, the employer’s operations may be suspended for three months with a possible penalty of up to US$3,300.”
“Even if some schools suggest working under the table on a tourist visa, it puts you at risk for fines, blacklisting, and deportation.”
Critical: Wait for your work permit approval before starting any teaching work.
Can I Authenticate My Degree After Arriving in Vietnam?
The ability to authenticate degrees after arriving in Vietnam varies significantly by nationality. (Based on research findings)
United States Citizens
The U.S. Embassy in Vietnam does NOT authenticate academic degrees.
“While U.S. Embassies and Consulates offer routine notary services, academic degrees and credentials are certified differently. We do not certify academic degrees and credentials. To notarize an academic degree or credential you will need to follow a process of authentication that can be completed in the U.S.”.
US teachers must send documents back to the US for the full authentication process.
Canadian Citizens
Canadian teachers CAN complete authentication at the Canadian Embassy in Vietnam.
“Honestly, it is faster to get everything done in Vietnam.” Canadian teachers can bring original documents to the Canadian Embassy in Hanoi or Ho Chi Minh City for notarization and affidavits.
The Canadian Embassy coordinates with Global Affairs Canada for authentication, making this the recommended option for Canadian teachers.
United Kingdom Citizens
Research did not reveal specific information about UK Embassy services for degree authentication in Vietnam. UK teachers should complete FCDO apostille procedures in the UK before arrival.
Recommendation: Unless you are Canadian, complete degree authentication before arriving in Vietnam to avoid international mailing complications and delays.
Do I Need to Authenticate Both My Degree and Transcript?
Work permit regulations require only your degree certificate (diploma) to be authenticated, not your transcript.
According to Decree 152/2020/ND-CP work permit requirements, applicants must provide “Degrees, certificates, or certifications” and “Written confirmation from foreign organizations, institutions, or enterprises regarding years of experience.”.
Mandatory for Work Permit:
- Degree certificate (Bachelor’s, Master’s, or PhD diploma)
- Teaching qualification (TEFL, TESOL, CELTA, teaching license)
- Criminal background check
NOT Required for Work Permit:
- University transcripts (unless employer specifically requires)
- High school diploma (bachelor’s degree is minimum requirement)
Some international schools may request authenticated transcripts as part of their internal hiring requirements—verify with your specific employer.
What If I Lost My Original Degree Certificate?
Contact your university’s registrar office to request an official replacement diploma or certified true copy. Most universities can provide replacement diplomas, but authentication requirements vary.
Important Verification Needed: Before ordering a replacement degree, verify with the authentication service or Vietnam Embassy that your university’s replacement format will be accepted for authentication. Some authentication services require original diplomas, not certified copies.
“Some authentication services only accept original diplomas.” Requirements vary by notary and authentication authority.
Can Professional Services Handle Everything for Me?
Yes, professional legalization services offer end-to-end authentication handling all government submissions, postal coordination, and timeline management.
Verified Professional Services
United States:
Monument Visa:
- Cost: $200 per document
- Timeline: 2-3 weeks
- Service: “We manage state authentication for documents issued by U.S. states, followed by submission to the U.S. Department of State for federal authentication, before final legalization at the Vietnamese Consulate.”
Teaching Nomad:
- Authentication services available
- “Amanda was amazing and very responsive to my requests! I was able to get my documents authenticated immediately despite the delays due to the pandemic.”
- Specific pricing not disclosed in research
United Kingdom:
Hague Apostille:
- Timeline: “Most orders are completed in just 7-10 working days”
- Teacher-focused service
Apostille.org.uk:
- Cost: £177 per document (standard Vietnam attestation service)
- “All documents are checked to ensure swift processing. Solicitor fees are included if your document needs to be certified. Foreign, Commonwealth and Development Office Apostille fees are included. All embassy attestation fees and disbursements are included. VAT is included. No hidden charges!”
Rapid Legalisation Service:
- Timeline: “2-4 days” for degree certificate attestation
Canada:
Vital Consular Services:
- Mentioned in Teaching Nomad documentation as handling Canadian-Vietnamese coordination
- Specific pricing not disclosed in research
Frequently Asked Questions About Degree Authentication for Vietnam
Can I use a photocopy or scan of my degree?
No. Authentication services require original documents or certified copies notarized by authorized officials. “Certified copies of your original documents are typically accepted for legalization, however, verify this with your employer.”
Do I need to authenticate my TEFL certificate if I got it online?
Yes. All teaching qualifications must be authenticated, including online certificates. “When seeking work as a teacher in Vietnam there are usually several documents that require legalisation. Your future employer should confirm exactly what documents are required. Typically, the following three documents should be legalised when applying for a Vietnamese work permit to teach English as a foreign language: [degree, TEFL, criminal check]”.
For Canadian teachers with non-Canadian TEFL certificates: “Because ITA [International TEFL Academy] is not a Canadian Institution, your TEFL certificate cannot be notarised. You will need an affidavit.”
How long is an authenticated degree valid?
The authenticated degree itself does not expire. However, criminal background checks must be issued within 6 months of work permit application.
If you change employers in Vietnam, your authenticated degree remains valid—you don’t need to re-authenticate.
What if my degree is in a language other than English?
You must have it translated into English by a certified translator before authentication, then translated into Vietnamese after Vietnam Embassy legalization. This adds time and cost to the process (specific fees vary by translator and language).
Can I authenticate a degree from an online university?
Yes, as long as the university is accredited and recognized in your home country. Vietnamese authorities verify accreditation status. Unaccredited degrees will be rejected.
Do I need to authenticate my high school diploma?
No. Vietnamese work permit requirements specify bachelor’s degree or higher. High school diplomas are not required for teaching work permits.
Is Your Degree Ready for Authentication?
Before starting authentication, verify you have:
- Original degree certificate (or official certified copy from university—verify acceptance first)
- Correct name spelling (must match passport exactly)
- University seal or embossed stamp visible on degree
- 6-8 weeks before intended work start date
- Employer confirmation of specific documents required
- Budget allocated for authentication costs (verified costs: US $200-300, UK £177-410, Canada $20-80 CAD plus Vietnamese translation and final legalization)
- Return envelope prepared (if mailing yourself—use FedEx or USPS Express with tracking)
- Payment method ready: Money orders or cashier’s checks for Vietnam Embassy (no personal checks)
Critical Pre-Start Actions:
- Verify authentication requirements with your employer—some schools have specific format preferences
- Time your criminal background check strategically—must be issued within 6 months of work permit submission
- Keep digital copies—scan all documents before sending for authentication
- Track every shipment—use FedEx, UPS, or USPS Express with tracking numbers
- Clearly indicate “for use in Vietnam” on all government authentication forms
Degree authentication is the first major administrative step in your Vietnam teaching career. By following verified procedures, allowing adequate time, and ensuring all documents meet requirements, you’ll minimize delays in your work permit application.
Need More Guidance on Vietnam Work Permits and Visa Requirements?
Navigate Vietnam’s legal requirements for foreign teachers with comprehensive guides in the Legal & Visa Requirements category covering:
- Work permit application procedures
- Temporary residence card requirements
- Visa extension processes
- Tax registration for foreign teachers
- Legal rights and protections in Vietnam
