How to obtain a criminal record certificate in Vietnam?

A criminal record certificate is a document issued by the Department of Justice of Vietnam or the National Center for Criminal Records to Vietnamese citizens or foreigners residing in Vietnam or who had lived in the country before.

It is used to determine whether an individual‘s criminal record convictions have any influence on holding a position in the office, managing cooperatives or businesses, or not. If you need a criminal record certificate for teaching English in Vietnam, this article by VTJ will provide a step-by-step guide on how to obtain it.

3 methods to obtain a criminal record certificate in Vietnam – Image: Pxhere

How to apply for a criminal record certificate in Vietnam?

Requirements for obtaining a criminal record certificate for foreigners

Before applying for a criminal record certificate, it’s important to understand who is eligible. According to the Law on Criminal Records:

• People who have lived in Vietnam for 6 months or more can request this document from the provincial justice office in their locality.
• If you no longer live in Vietnam but need to check your criminal record for the time you were in Vietnam, you can also apply.

These two cases have the right to request the competent authority to issue their criminal record certificate for their time in Vietnam.

Where to obtain a criminal record certificate for foreigners?

The location where you should apply depends on your current residency status. According to Article 44 of the 2009 Law on Criminal Records regarding the authority to issue Criminal Record Certificates:

1. Foreigners currently residing in Vietnam 

• Place to submit application: Department of Justice where the person resides

Examples:

• In Hanoi: Department of Justice of Hanoi, 1B Tran Phu, Mo Lao Ward, Ha Dong, Hanoi.
• In Ho Chi Minh City: Department of Justice of Ho Chi Minh City, 143 Pasteur, Ward 6, District 3, Ho Chi Minh City.
• In Da Nang: Department of Justice of Da Nang, 16 Bach Dang, Thach Thang, Hai Chau, Da Nang.

2. Foreigners who have previously resided but are not currently in Vietnam (have left Vietnam)

• Place to submit application: National Center for Criminal Records, 6th Floor, Administrative Building – Library, 09 Tran Vi Street, Mai Dich Ward, Cau Giay District, Hanoi City.

3 ways to obtain a criminal record certificate for foreigners

There are three main methods to apply for a criminal record certificate in Vietnam. Each method has its own advantages and procedures.

Method 1: Submitting application in person

This is the most straightforward method for those currently in Vietnam:

Foreigners in Vietnam or their authorized representatives will submit the application directly at the Department of Justice where the foreigner resides and receive the result at the place of submission.

Examples:

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• Making criminal records for foreigners in Hanoi: Hanoi Department of Justice at 221 Tran Phu, Van Quan Ward, Ha Dong, Hanoi
• Making criminal records for foreigners in Ho Chi Minh City: Ho Chi Minh City Department of Justice at 143 Pasteur, Ward 6, District 3, Ho Chi Minh City.

Watch this video by teacher Brian: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=WhLXn_IXM7Y

Method 2: Obtaining a criminal record certificate in Vietnam through website

To save time and effort, foreigners can apply online by following these steps:

• Access the official government service website, then download form 03/2013/TT-LLTP (if applying personally) or form 04/2013/TT-LLTP (if authorizing someone else): https://dichvucong.gov.vn/p/home/dvc-chi-tiet-thu-tuc-hanh-chinh.html?ma_thu_tuc=2.000488
• Select Province/City in the Implementing Agency section
• Choose “Submit online”
• Select login account type and login
• Fill in personal information, upload attached documents (form in step 1)
• Check information and submit the application

Note: After completing the online declaration, you still need to submit the application in person or send it by post.

Method 3: Obtaining a criminal record certificate by submitting application via postal service

This method is convenient for those who cannot apply in person.

1. Download and fill out the request form for a criminal record certificate according to form 03/2013/TT-LLTP (if applying personally) or form 04/2013/TT-LLTP (if authorizing someone else), you can download here: https://dichvucong.gov.vn/p/home/dvc-chi-tiet-thu-tuc-hanh-chinh.html?ma_thu_tuc=2.000488.

2. Send one set of documents along with the original declaration form above via postal service to the Department of Justice where you reside for processing. When submitting the application, you need to pay the fee for issuing the Criminal Record Certificate and postal service fee by one of these 3 methods:

• Transfer money to the bank account of the Department of Justice (can be paid in Vietnamese currency or foreign currency);
• Transfer money via postal service when sending the application for the Criminal Record Certificate, along with the money transfer receipt to the Department of Justice (only applicable for Vietnamese currency);
• Pay directly at the Department of Justice (only applicable for Vietnamese currency).

3. Receive an appointment slip for the result: via email address, phone, or text message of the person requesting the certificate.

4. Receive the result at the address stated in the Registration Form for receiving results via postal service.

Hopefully, after reading our article, you’ll have a clear understanding of how to acquire a criminal record certificate for teaching in Vietnam.  Good luck and see you in the next posts!