Foreign Couples' Wedding Ceremonies In Vietnam

Can Two Foreigners Get Married in Vietnam?

Foreigners can get married in Vietnam, but only if one of the two non-citizens has a valid permanent or temporary residence permit. The majority of people can enjoy the right to legally wed in Vietnam as long as one person in the couple is a Vietnamese citizen. Two foreigners cannot get legally married in Vietnam, but they can celebrate their nuptials with friends or plan a destination wedding after saying I do in their home country.

Marriage requirements

According to Vietnamese law, both parties must be at least 18 years old and not currently married to someone else. Additionally, at least one individual must hold a valid passport and have a temporary or permanent residence permit in Vietnam. This means that tourists visiting Vietnam for a short period cannot legally marry in the country.

The Law on Family and Marriage and the Civil Code govern marriages in Vietnam. Foreigners are considered people with foreign national identity documents, such as a passport or identity card. The marriage application is submitted to the Department of Justice, and foreigners must include documents from their home country verifying their eligibility to marry and proof of residency status.

• Proof of Single Status: Divorce certificate or death certificate of a previous spouse.
• Health Certificates: Issued by a Vietnamese hospital or clinic, certifying that the applicant does not have mental illnesses that affect their ability to make independent decisions.
• Temporary or Permanent Residence Permits: At least one individual must have residency or temporary residency status in Vietnam.
• Written Consent from Parents or Guardians: If either party is under 20 years old, written consent from parents or guardians is required.
• Affirmation or Affidavit Document: Proving that the couple can legally wed in Vietnam. This typically costs around £50 or 50 USD, and must be organised and signed at the respective embassy or consulate.
• Passports of Two Witnesses: These must be certified copies.
• Fee: Approximately 1 million Vietnamese Dong, payable in cash upon receipt of the marriage certificate.
• Certified Copies of Birth Certificates: Two copies of each birth certificate are required.
• Passport Photos: A 3x4cm photo of each applicant must be attached to the marriage application.
• Address Verification: For US citizens living in Vietnam, a certificate of residence from the local police is required.

It is important to note that all documents must be translated into Vietnamese and certified by the respective embassy or consulate. The process of obtaining these documents can be time-consuming, so it is advisable to start early and plan accordingly.

After submitting the required documents, the District Justice Department may conduct a face-to-face interview to confirm that both parties are voluntarily entering the marriage and can communicate with each other. This requirement may vary depending on the location.

Once all the paperwork is in order, the marriage certificate will be signed by the Head of the Provincial People's Committee, and a civil marriage can take place within 5 working days.

Application process

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Necessary documents

According to Vietnamese law, at least one of the individuals must hold a valid passport and have a temporary or permanent residence permit in Vietnam. This means that tourists who are only visiting Vietnam for a short period of time cannot legally get married in the country.

• Marriage application: This form should be obtained from the Vietnamese District Justice Office at the District People's Committee and must be signed in front of the People's Committee civil status official. It should be filled out by one person using one pen. The approximate cost of a marriage application is 1 million VND and must be paid in cash when picking up the marriage certificate.
• Passport photo: One 3x4 cm photo of each partner attached to the marriage application.
• US citizen's passport: One notarized copy, which can be obtained at a Vietnamese public notary.
• Proof of address: If the US citizen resides in Vietnam, the apartment building where the US citizen resides should request proof of residency from the police.
• Mental Health Certificate: A written certification granted by a Vietnamese or competent foreign health organization within 6 months of the date the marriage application is submitted. The certificate must state that the applicant does not have any mental health conditions that would render them incapable of making independent decisions.
• Affidavit of Single Status: The applicant can request this document from the civil registry in the state in which they reside or complete this affidavit at the US Embassy/Consulate in Vietnam. The affidavit must be signed within six months of the application for a marriage certificate. Applicants who were previously married must present an authenticated copy of the divorce decree or death certificate of the previous spouse(s).
• US vital statistics office letter: This letter, issued by the state or local authorities of the applicant's place of residence in the United States, should certify that no records of a marriage license or marriage certificate for the applicant exist. The search period must begin when the applicant was 18 and end at the present day. This requirement varies from locality to locality and may not be required.

All documents not in Vietnamese must have a certified translation into Vietnamese from either the Vietnamese Consulate/Embassy in the US or a Vietnamese notary public or certified translator. Certified translation services may also be available at the District People's Committee.

LGBTQIA+ marriage equality

Vietnam has made positive strides in recognising the LGBTQIA+ community in recent years. Same-sex relationships and same-sex sexual acts are legal in the country, and a ban on same-sex marriages was lifted in January 2015. However, it is important to note that while same-sex marriages are no longer illegal, they are also not legally recognised. This means that such marriages will not be protected by law for matters concerning personal and property rights.

In 2012, Vietnam's Minister of Justice announced that the government had begun consulting on whether to legalise same-sex marriage. In 2013, the Ministry of Justice submitted a bill that would remove the ban on same-sex marriage from the Law on Marriage and Family and provide some rights to cohabiting same-sex couples. The bill was debated in the National Assembly in October 2013, and on 24 September 2013, the government issued a decree abolishing fines on same-sex marriages. This decree came into effect on 11 November 2013.

In June 2014, the National Assembly's Committee for Social Affairs removed provisions giving legal status and some rights to cohabiting same-sex couples from the bill. The amended bill was approved by the National Assembly on 19 June 2014 and came into effect on 1 January 2015. While this bill removed the ban on same-sex marriage, it did not provide legal recognition or protection for same-sex couples.

In April 2023, a proposal for the new Gender Affirmation Law was put forward to the Standing Committee of the National Assembly. This law would allow people the right to change their gender identity, request a different gender identity to the one assigned at birth, and choose a medical intervention method for gender-reaffirming surgery. It would also prohibit any form of discrimination and false information against transgender individuals and their families. The bill was accepted by the Standing Committee of the National Assembly in May 2023 and was approved to be included in the legislative agenda for 2024. However, in September 2024, the Standing Committee announced that the bill would be needing further consultations and was removed from its plenary session, resulting in an indefinite delay.

Despite these legislative changes, LGBTQIA+ individuals in Vietnam continue to face legal challenges and discrimination. A 2018 study revealed that around 60% of transgender individuals in Vietnam had attempted suicide, and 83% had experienced humiliation. Additionally, a 2015 study found that around 44% of Vietnamese LGBTQIA+ students aged 14-22 faced stigma, discrimination, and violence due to their identities. A separate report from UNESCO in the same year mentioned that almost half of LGBTQIA+ students in Vietnam faced serious stigma in schools, with some even being victimised by school staff.

Overall, while Vietnam has taken steps towards marriage equality for LGBTQIA+ individuals, there is still work to be done to ensure full legal recognition and protection for same-sex couples, as well as to address the social stigma and discrimination faced by the LGBTQIA+ community in the country.

Wedding ceremony

Yes, two foreigners can legally marry in Vietnam. However, there are some requirements that must be met. According to Vietnamese law, at least one person must live in Vietnam and have residency or a temporary residency permit. Both parties must be at least 18 years old and not currently married to someone else.

• Proof of single status (such as a divorce certificate or death certificate of a previous spouse)
• Health certificates issued by a Vietnamese hospital or clinic
• Temporary or permanent residence permits
• Written consent from parents or guardians if either party is under 20 years old
• All documents must be translated into Vietnamese and certified by the embassy or consulate of the home country

The process for foreigners to get married in Vietnam can be summarised in three steps:

• Obtain a Certificate of No Impediment (CNI) from your home country, which serves as proof that you are legally able to get married. This document must be translated into Vietnamese and certified by the embassy or consulate.
• Submit the CNI and all other necessary documents to the local authority in the province where you wish to get married. This can be done at the People's Committee Office or the Department of Justice, depending on the location.
• Attend a marriage registration appointment, where you will sign the marriage certificate and officially become legally married in Vietnam.

Pros:

• Unique and memorable experience
• Cost-effective compared to Western countries
• Beautiful locations for the wedding ceremony, including pristine beaches and lush countryside
• Cultural immersion and the opportunity to incorporate Vietnamese customs and traditions into the wedding

Cons:

• Legal complexities and time-consuming processes, especially when obtaining the necessary documents
• Language barrier with local authorities and vendors
• Limited options for foreigners in terms of venues and vendors

If navigating the legal requirements and cultural differences of getting married in Vietnam seems daunting, there are alternative options:

• Have a destination wedding in Vietnam: Enjoy the beauty and culture of the country without dealing with the legalities of getting married there. This option allows for a symbolic ceremony in Vietnam, with the official marriage taking place in your home country.
• Traditional Ceremony and Reception in your home country: Incorporate Vietnamese customs and traditions into your wedding while having the convenience of getting legally married in your own country.

Frequently asked questions