How overseas Vietnamese can re-register a birth certificate

Legal basis for re-registration

Lawyer Nguyễn Phong Phú (HCMC Bar Association) explained that if records are no longer kept, the competent authority cannot issue a copy of the original certificate. Instead, applicants must follow the re-registration process, regulated by Circular 07/2023/TT-BNG issued by the Ministry of Foreign Affairs.

Vietnamese diplomatic missions and consulates abroad are authorized to handle birth, marriage, and death registration, as well as re-registration of civil status events, and issue extracts from civil status databases. If a country hosts multiple missions, jurisdiction belongs to the mission in the applicant’s consular district. If no mission exists in the host country, the applicant must approach the nearest or accredited Vietnamese mission.

Documents required

Under Decree 123/2015/NĐ-CP and related regulations, applicants must submit one or more of the following:

• A certified copy of the original birth certificate (if still available).

• Any official document issued before 1945 (in the North) or before 1975 (in the South) substituting for a birth certificate.

• If neither exists, other valid Vietnamese documents showing personal details, such as:

  • ID card, citizen ID card, or passport.

  • Household registration book or residence certificate.

  • Education records: diplomas, certificates, transcripts, or school files.

  • Any other documents stating name, date, month, year of birth.

Applicants must submit all available documents and sign a written declaration confirming the truthfulness of the information. False declarations will result in legal liability.

If the submitted documents lack information about parents, the civil status authority may request verification from the police. If no records are found, the applicant can file a sworn statement about parental details to complete the birth certificate.

Procedure

Applications are filed, processed, and results returned according to Decree 123/2015/NĐ-CP, Decree 87/2020/NĐ-CP, and Circular 04/2020/TT-BTP. Applicants must present all documents directly to the Vietnamese mission.

In this case, the applicant should prepare the required documents and work with the Vietnamese Consulate in Hong Kong, which has jurisdiction, to re-register his birth certificate and regain full civil status recognition.