Job Discussion Forums

Wassermann · Joined: 23 Feb 2015 Posts: 2

Hello

I have been offered a job in Vietnam...that's the easy part.
The difficult part is finding out the proper authentication/notarization for documents.
I am in the United States at the moment...I have had my FBI check, diploma, certificate...notarized by a local (county) notary.
Now do I have to take this to the state capitol to have it apostille stamped?
Or do I simply have it authenticated by the notary of the state department?
Are there further steps beyond this?

The administrator of the school has told me to arrive in Hanoi to have my documents authenticated in Vietnamese at the consulate there. That's simple enough...

I have seen a few threads on the topic, but I am asking this because it seems the rules and regulations change often in Vietnam...

I have asked my friend in Vietnam about this process, but he is from Ireland and he has told me that the process is somewhat different there.
The administrator of the school is not quite sure either.

Also it seems as though there is some degree of leniency with regards to some things in Vietnam?
Perhaps I am overthinking this?

Thank you in advance for any help.

RustyShackleford · Joined: 13 May 2013 Posts: 449

Getting everything notarized and authenticated in-country will be enough without apostille thanks to Vietnam not being party to the Hague convention

Wassermann · Joined: 23 Feb 2015 Posts: 2

Thanks Rusty, I appreciate the advice.
I was aware of the fact that Vietnam was not a member of the Hague convention...but I was not entirely sure if that meant to forego visit to an apostille.
Looks like that saves me a 6 hour car journey and lots of money.

Just wondering...how long have you been in Vietnam?

RustyShackleford · Joined: 13 May 2013 Posts: 449

I've been gone for about 7 months and lived there for about a year. I'm currently in Spain where I learned the hard way that not every country is as lenient as Vietnam when it comes to getting properly sorted out.

legionlabs · Joined: 04 Sep 2012 Posts: 12 Location: HCMC

I recently got a document translated, notarized, and legalized. It cost me about USD50 per document at a lawyer. Cost may vary between regions and lawyers.

For just making certified true copies (e.g. certified passport copy) you can go to any People's Committee (although the one in district 1 HCMC is the only one I've been to). Bring photocopies of what you need certified.

Cost is something like VND 4.000 (USD 0.20) per page. You can hire someone to wait in line for you, but I don't recommend it. Go early in the day and it's not that bad. There's a ticket dispensing machine near the security guard, select option 6 (certified copies, less than 40 units). Give your photocopies and passport to the clerk when your number comes up, they'll know what to do.

VietCanada · Joined: 30 Nov 2010 Posts: 590

I have no idea if VN is signed onto the Hague treaty or not but I can assure you from personal experience with many people from many countries that if your country has signed you will not get a work permit without getting your documents apostilled.

If you're from Canada then you get things notarized which involves signing affadavits. At an extra $50 USD a pop.

The advice on this forum is definitely jumping the shark.

Paying for certs to teach adults when the country has clearly and often stated that it is putting it's money into teaching pronunciation to chidren (for about 4 or 5 years now), completely wrong advice to getting work permits. White Rabbit is playing in my head niow. Cats and dogs living together! Yes you do have a pencil, Dick.