US Embassy/Consulate Rule Changes For Notarizing US Documents

I just received an email notice from the US State Department STEP program.

As many of us have previously reported, although the Embassy/Consulate could not legally notarize individual documents from the USA, it had previously been their policy that they could notarize a US citizen's sworn statement attesting to the genuine nature of certain documents, usually intended for use in applications for marriage to a Vietnamese citizen.

However, the new policy update forbids that practice, only allowing for the notarization of certain documents originated within Vietnam such as affidavits of single status for the purpose of marriage in Vietnam.

Don't confuse that with the "Record of No Marriage" which must be obtained from a County Clerk authority in the U.S. and apostilled by the STATE secretary of state for that county OR approved through the provided link by the U.S. Department of State (as noted below).

The option is still available to have all notarized documents originating in the U.S. be apostilled by the relevant STATE secretary of state and then submitted for approval by the Embassy of Vietnam in the USA or one of its Consulates.

The purpose of this notice is to explain what the US government can do for you as citizens in these situations where we need authentication of US documents.

it's up to you if you want to go that route or have your documents approved by relevant STATE secretaries of state and submitted through a Vietnam embassy or consulate.

Questions about that process (authenticating documents through a United States Embassy or Consulate of Vietnam) should be directed to the relevant embassy or consulate in the United States.

~~~~

(received January 17, 2025 from noreply-mytravel@messages.state.gov)

Changes to Notarial Services

(January 17, 2025)

Due to recent changes in the acceptance of documents notarized by U.S. notarizing officials with the Government of Vietnam and in line with global guidelines, the U.S. Embassy and Consulate General are changing the notarial services we offer for documents to be used locally. Effective March 17, 2025, the Embassy and Consulate General will only execute general affidavits and affidavits of single status for the purpose of marriage in Vietnam. We will no longer be able to execute affidavits from U.S. citizens related to the authenticity of documents issued in the United States, including birth certificates, marriage certificates, divorce decrees, academic credentials, and driver licenses. We will continue to notarize documents from all citizens for use in the United States.

We recognize that U.S. citizens resident in Vietnam will need to obtain official authentication of documents issued in the United States. Such requests should be sent to the Department of State’s Office of Authentications (https://travel.state.gov/content/travel/en/replace-certify-docs/authenticate-your-document.html)

Please note that Vietnam is not a signatory of the Hague Apostille Convention, and all documents must follow the authentication process (and not the guidance for apostilles).

Applicants requiring Affidavits of Single Status for use in Vietnam or for any document requiring notarization for use in the United States can continue to make appointments in Hanoi or Ho Chi Minh City through http://bit.ly/us-notary