Permanent residence registration: A right not to overlook

During the National Day gift distribution on September 2, some parents were surprised when their children were not on the recipient list. The reason: their children had not been registered for permanent residence. Birth certificates only confirm a child’s identity and existence, but they do not replace the residence registration process.

By law, parents or guardians must register a child’s permanent residence within 60 days after birth registration. Without it, the child’s information will not be updated in the national population database, causing difficulties in school enrollment, healthcare access, welfare benefits, or future ID applications.

Adults are also affected when moving but failing to update their residence status. This not only complicates population management but also harms their rights.

Eligible cases for new permanent residence registration

Under the Law on Residence 2020, seven groups are eligible, including:

• Moving to owned lawful housing.

• Living with spouse, parents, children, grandparents, siblings, or guardians, with consent from the household head and property owner.

• Living in rented, borrowed, or lent housing if conditions on minimum living space are met (at least 8m² per person).

• Religious practitioners or representatives residing at religious establishments.

• People moving to social protection facilities or foster families.

• Those living on mobile vehicles relocating to another qualified vehicle.

• Minors registering under parental or guardian consent, unless a court decides otherwise.

Cases of deregistration

These include death, being declared missing, permanent emigration abroad, annulment of registration, absence from permanent residence for 12 months without reporting, imprisonment, compulsory education or rehabilitation, or ending rental/borrowing without new registration after 12 months.

Penalties for late registration

According to Decree 144/2021/ND-CP, failure to register on time may result in fines from VND 500,000 to 1,000,000. More importantly, it causes loss of access to healthcare, education, and social welfare benefits.

Birth registration is only the first step. Permanent residence registration is mandatory to secure full legal and administrative rights. Neglecting it may leave people “shocked” when their entitlements are denied.