Quick answer
Vietnamese documents for use in Germany need consular legalisation, because Germany objected to Vietnam's accession to the Apostille Convention. First get a consular certification from Vietnam's Consular Department or the Ho Chi Minh City Department of Foreign Affairs, then apply at the German mission responsible for the issuing province: €30 per document, about one week.
- Fee
- €30 per document (since 1 July 2025)
- Processing
- About 1 week
- Apostille
- Not applicable between Vietnam and Germany
On this page
Accepted documents
- Birth certificate or extract; marriage certificate or extract; death certificate or extract.
- Certificate of marital status (valid 6 months); extract of recognition of parentage.
- Confirmation of residence issued by the police.
- Divorce judgment or decision (full version, not an extract).
- Criminal record certificate, form 06a/2026/LLTP or 07a/2026/LLTP.
Other documents are not legalised. Photocopies certified by a Vietnamese notary are not accepted.
Updated: Sources: German Embassy Hanoi — Legalisation of Vietnamese public documents (in German), Federal Foreign Office — Hague Apostille Convention (21 July 2026, in German)
How to apply
- Get the original or a copy issued from the civil register certified by the Consular Department of the Ministry of Foreign Affairs (Hanoi) or the Department of Foreign Affairs of Ho Chi Minh City.
- Add a German translation.
- Apply at the mission responsible for the province that issued the document: the embassy in Hanoi (appointment required) or the consulate-general in Ho Chi Minh City (walk-in Mon, Tue, Thu 08:30–09:30). Someone else may apply for you.
- Documents are returned by post in about one week; the recipient pays postage.
| Fee | Amount |
|---|---|
| Legalisation | €30 |
| Kopiebeglaubigung | €24 |
| Unterschriftsbeglaubigung | €60 |
Updated: Sources: Đại sứ quán Đức tại Hà Nội, Tổng Lãnh sự quán Đức tại TP. Hồ Chí Minh, Đại sứ quán Đức tại Hà Nội, Tổng Lãnh sự quán Đức tại TP. Hồ Chí Minh
Updated: Sources: German Embassy Hanoi — Legalisation of Vietnamese public documents (in German)
Document verification
Updated: Sources: German Embassy Hanoi — Urkundenüberprüfung (in German)
Frequently asked questions
Can I use an apostille for Vietnamese documents in Germany?
No. Germany objected to Vietnam's accession, so the Apostille Convention does not apply between the two countries; documents still need consular legalisation.
Which mission do I apply to?
The one responsible for the province that issued the document, not where you live: northern provinces down to Hue and Quang Tri go to Hanoi, Da Nang and further south to Ho Chi Minh City.