How to get a Criminal Record Certificate (Vietnam police clearance) for foreigners online 2026

How to get a criminal record certificate in Vietnam for foreigners can be done online through the Government Public Service Portal if you have legally resided in Vietnam. Applicants must choose the correct certificate type (No.1 or No.2), prepare a valid passport and declaration form, and submit the dossier electronically. Processing usually takes 10–15 working days depending on verification requirements. With proper guidance, the procedure is straightforward and suitable for work permits, visas, marriage, or settlement purposes.

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What is a Criminal Record Certificate for foreigners in Vietnam?

A Vietnam criminal record certificate (Phiếu lý lịch tư pháp) is an official document issued by a provincial Department of Justice or the National Center for Criminal Records. It confirms whether a person:

Has a criminal conviction (or not), and/or

Is being subject to criminal prosecution under Vietnamese law.

For foreigners, this document is commonly requested as a Vietnam police clearance certificate for immigration and compliance purposes.

What is it used for?

Foreign nationals may need a criminal record certificate in Vietnam for:

Vietnam work permit applications

Visa extension or temporary residence card (TRC) applications

Marriage, adoption, or settlement files in Vietnam or overseas

Naturalization (Vietnamese citizenship or another country’s citizenship)

Study abroad applications, scholarships, or administrative dossiers that require background screening

>>> Read more: Temporary Residence Card for Chinese Citizens – Full guide 2026

Types of Vietnam criminal record certificates (No.1 vs No.2)

Vietnam issues two main types of criminal record certificates. Choosing the correct one matters, because the content and intended use are different.

Under Clause 4, Article 2 of the 2009 Criminal Records Law (Luật Lý lịch tư pháp 2009):
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Criminal record certificate No.1 (Phiếu số 1)

Who can request it?

Vietnamese citizens and foreign nationals who are living/have lived in Vietnam and need a background confirmation

Agencies/organizations for HR management, business registration, or company/cooperative management procedures

What it shows

Personal details (name, gender, date of birth, nationality, residence, ID/passport number)

Criminal record status (“no criminal record” or “has criminal record” with offense and penalty details)

Bans related to holding certain positions or establishing/managing enterprises/cooperatives (if any)

Common use cases

Job applications, work permits, residency/TRC, marriage procedures

Criminal record certificate No.2 (Phiếu số 2)

Who can request it?

Judicial/prosecution authorities for investigation, prosecution, and trial activities

Individuals who want a full record of their own criminal history

What it shows (more detailed than No.1)

Personal details plus parents’ and spouse’s information

Full criminal record history, including expunged convictions (where applicable), judgment date, court, applied legal provisions, penalties, and enforcement status

Bans related to holding positions or establishing/managing enterprises (if any)

Common use cases

Cases requiring a more complete criminal record disclosure (usually more sensitive and more detailed)

>>> Read more: Vietnam Family Visit Temporary Residence Card – Conditions, Procedure & Benefits

Eligibility: Who can apply for a Vietnam police clearance certificate?

A foreign national can apply for a Vietnam police clearance certificate if they:

Have legally resided in Vietnam in the past or are currently residing in Vietnam, and

Can provide documents proving the residence period (so the authority can verify the record correctly).

>>> Read more: 5 Year Investor Temporary Residence Card in Vietnam – Application Procedure for Foreign Investors

Documents needed to apply online

Prepare these documents before starting the online application:

Application form for issuance of the criminal record certificate (per the required template on the portal)

Copy of a valid passport/identity document (still valid at the time of submission)

>>> Read more: How to Apply for a 2-Year Work Temporary Residence Card in Vietnam

How to get a criminal record certificate online via the public service portal

Foreign nationals can submit an online request through the Government Public Service Portal by following the steps below.

Step 1: Access the system and log in

Log in using an electronic identification account (Level 2) on the Public Service Portal, or via the national digital identity app (VNeID), depending on the available method at the time you apply.

Choose the procedure “Issuance of criminal record certificate” (Cấp Phiếu Lý lịch tư pháp) under administrative services, then follow the on-screen instructions.

Note: At present, the online criminal record function on VNeID is typically applied to Vietnamese citizens. For foreign nationals, the online process may still require updated instructions from the competent authority depending on the implementation stage. If you cannot proceed as a foreigner on VNeID, use the Public Service Portal pathway or contact Tân Văn Lang for the most workable route for your location and status.

Step 2: Fill in the declaration form

Complete the electronic declaration form carefully and honestly. Any mismatch in passport details, residence info, or nationality can delay processing.

Step 3: Select procedure details and result delivery method

Continue to the sections “Administrative procedure information” and “Result return information.”

If you choose postal delivery, enter the correct delivery address and select the correct locality to avoid misrouting.

Step 4: Confirm and submit your application

Recheck all information

Select the correct fee category (standard or eligible reduction, if applicable)

Confirm the declaration and submit the request

Step 5: Receive the application notice and pay the fee

After submission, you will receive:

an application code

an appointment/estimated result date

instructions for paying the fee (via SMS, email, or in-app/portal notification)

Payment is made through the integrated online payment gateways available on the system.

Step 6: Track the status and receive the result

You can track the processing status under the criminal record certificate section on the Public Service Portal (or the app if applicable) until you receive the final result.

>>> Read more: Failure to register temporary residence for foreigners in Vietnam 2026: Penalties, procedures, and legal compliance

Processing time and fees: How long does it take?

Processing time

Standard timeline: usually 10 working days from the date the competent authority receives a valid dossier.

Extended cases (up to 15 working days): may apply where additional verification is needed, such as:

Residence across multiple localities

Foreign nationals

Cases involving verification for eligibility for criminal record expungement

Official state fee

VND 200,000 per certificate/person: standard fee for most applicants

VND 100,000 per certificate/person: reduced fee for eligible groups such as:

Students

People with meritorious services to the revolution

Relatives of martyrs (parents, spouse, biological/adopted children, or caregivers of martyrs)

Fee reminder: fees may change depending on government updates and portal configuration. Check the latest official fee guidance here:
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>>> Read more: Vietnam Temporary Residence Card (TRC) – Fast, Easy, All-Inclusive

Trusted service for foreigners: Tân Văn Lang police clearance support

Tân Văn Lang provides end-to-end support for foreign nationals applying for a Vietnam police clearance certificate / criminal record certificate for purposes such as visa/TRC, marriage, work, study, and settlement.

Why clients choose Tân Văn Lang

We support the full process: Document preparation – online submission – follow-up until result

Clear, step-by-step advice aligned with Vietnamese legal procedures

Reduced effort for clients, especially those with complex residence history

Multilingual support for foreign applicants

With extensive experience handling international client dossiers, Tân Văn Lang focuses on accuracy, confidentiality, and timeline control—so you get the right certificate type (No.1 or No.2) without unnecessary back-and-forth.

If you need help applying for a criminal record certificate in Vietnam, or you’re unsure which certificate type your case requires, contact Tân Văn Lang via hotline 08.666.000.63 (WhatsApp) for case-specific guidance. Respectfully.