In recent years, the trend for marriage between foreigners (including Vietnamese overseas) and Vietnamese nationals has increased.

Vietnam recognizes marriage with foreigners, which is of great significance and respects the human rights and interests of men and women. As the result, it has led to creating a legal basis for the management of agencies of the state and globalization.

1. Marriage involving foreign elements

Marriage involving foreign elements is marriage between

2. Requirements

The potential husband (groom) must be a full 20 years old or older and the potential wife (bride) must be a full 18 years or older.

The marriage must voluntarily decided upon (consensual) by both the bride and the groom.

Neither the bride or the groom has not lost civil act capacity.

Prohibited marriages:

3. Procedures for marriage registration

3.1. Jurisdiction of marriage registration

Province-level People’s Committee in which a Vietnamese citizen resides has jurisdiction of marriage registration between:

• A Vietnam citizen and a foreigner;
• A Vietnamese citizen living in Vietnam and a Vietnamese citizen living abroad;
• Two Vietnamese citizens living abroad;
• A Vietnamese citizen with dual citizenship and a Vietnamese citizen or a foreigner.

Foreigners residing in Vietnam and requesting to register his/her marriage in Vietnam, the district-level People’s Committee of the place where either party resides will register the marriage.

3.2. Required legal documents

a) A declaration of marriage registration from each party;

b) A certificate of marital/single status from each party;

c) A health certificate issued by an authorized medical organization in Vietnam or other countries;

d) A Vietnamese citizen or a foreigner who has previously divorced or canceled a marriage in a foreign authorized agency must submit a copy of the civil status documents stating that the divorce or the cancelation of illegal marriage was recorded (Divorce extract);

đ) A copy of the Household Book or Temporary Residential Book (applies for Vietnamese citizens), and A copy of Permanent Residential Card or Temporary Residential Card or Temporary Residential Certification (applies for foreigners).