Consular Legalization Procedures for the French Republic (France)
No.1 Translation is proud to be Vietnam's leading provider of consular legalization and certification services for Vietnamese documents used in the French Republic as well as documents issued by the French Republic that need to be used in Vietnam.
Consular legalization is an important procedure to certify the legality of documents from one country for use in another. If you need to use documents from the French Republic in Vietnam or vice versa, you must complete the consular legalization process. Below is a detailed A-to-Z guide on the consular legalization procedures for the French Republic.
Why is French consular legalization necessary?
In the context of increasing international transactions, consular legalization of documents from the French Republic for use in Vietnam or other countries is essential. Consular legalization ensures that your documents are recognized by the French government and have legal validity.
Consular legalization helps you prove that your documents have legal validity in the country where you intend to use them. This is especially important in cases such as:
- Applying for a visa or residence permit
- Registering a marriage or other personal legal procedures
- Recognition of diplomas and degrees
- International business transactions and contracts
👉 See more: Which documents require consular legalization??
Which documents are exempt from French consular legalization?
According to international regulations between Vietnam and the French Republic, certain types of documents do not require consular legalization when used in the partner country. The following documents are exempt from legalization.
1. Civil Judgments and Recognition/Enforcement Decisions
According to Article 26 of the 1999 Judicial Assistance Agreement on Civil Matters, civil judgments and recognition/enforcement decisions between Vietnam and France do not require consular legalization.
However, these documents still need to be certified for legality by the competent authorities of both countries.
2. Civil Status Documents Related to Marriage, Childcare, and Adoption
Civil status documents related to matters such as marriage, child adoption, and parental recognition issued by the competent authorities of France or Vietnam are exempt from consular legalization.
This means that documents such as birth certificates, marriage certificates, etc., will be recognized without undergoing consular legalization through the embassy or consulate.
3. Documents Related to Adoption
According to Article 17 of the Adoption Cooperation Agreement, documents used for adoption between Vietnam and France, prepared by the competent authority and transmitted through central agencies, do not require consular legalization.
4. Documents Under the Authority of Consular Officers
According to Article 35.3 of the Consular Agreement dated December 21, 1981, documents under the authority of consular officers, including those issued by the consular offices of France in Vietnam and Vietnam in France, are exempt from consular legalization.
However, if requested by the other party, these documents must undergo consular certification to confirm their legality. These documents include:
- Documents issued by the embassy or consulate.
- Documents related to conducting consular transactions or procedures, such as issuing passports, visas, and other administrative documents.
Consular Legalization Procedures for French Documents for Use in Vietnam
The consular legalization process for documents from France ensures that these documents are recognized by authorities and organizations in Vietnam. The detailed process is as follows:
Step 1: Prepare Documents
Determining the correct type of document will help the legalization process proceed smoothly and without interruption in Vietnam.
Requirements for original/certified copies:
- Original: Documents must be submitted in their original form to the competent authority.
- Certified copy: Documents can be submitted as valid certified copies. Certification of copies is usually carried out at the town hall (Mairie) or a notary office (Notaire).
If the documents are to be used in Vietnam, especially those in French, they must be translated into Vietnamese or English. These translations must be notarized by a sworn translator (traducteur assermenté), ensuring the accuracy and legal validity of the translation.
Step 2: Certification at the Competent French Authority
Receiving Authorities:
- Notary Office (Notaire): For judicial and property documents.
- Town Hall (Mairie): For civil documents.
- Bộ Ngoại giao Pháp (Ministère de l’Europe et des Affaires étrangères): Thường không bắt buộc nhưng có thể yêu cầu trong một số trường hợp.
- AddressRoom 05.02, 5th Floor, Newton Residences, 38 Truong Quoc Dung, Ward 8, Phu Nhuan District, HCMC: 37 Quai d’Orsay, 75007 Paris, Pháp
- Phone: +33 1 43 17 53 53
Documents to Submit::
- Original documents or certified copies
- Notarized translation (if available)
- Copy of the applicant’s passport/residence card (if required)
After the documents have been certified, you need to verify the stamps and seals of the competent authority.
Step 3: Consular Legalization at the Vietnamese Embassy/Consulate in France
Documents to Submit:
- Consular legalization request form (as per the prescribed template)
- Documents already certified by the competent French authority
- Notarized translation (if any).
- Copy of the applicant’s passport/residence card
Contact Information for the Vietnamese Embassy in France:
- AddressRoom 05.02, 5th Floor, Newton Residences, 38 Truong Quoc Dung, Ward 8, Phu Nhuan District, HCMC: 61 Rue de Miromesnil, 75008 Paris
- Phone: +33 01 44 14 64 00
- Fax : +33 01 45 24 39 48
- E-mail: info@ambassade-vietnam.fr
- Website: http://ambassade-vietnam.fr
After completing the procedure, you will receive the legalized documents with the stamp and seal of the Vietnamese Embassy or Consulate.
Comprehensive French Consular Legalization at No.1 Translation
The comprehensive French consular legalization service at No.1 Translation is a complete and professional solution, helping you handle complex document legalization procedures for use in France quickly and accurately. We are committed to providing high-quality service, saving time and effort for our customers.
Why Choose No. 1 Translation?
- Acting on behalf of clients to complete all procedures, handling everything from copy certification, notarized translation, consular certification to consular legalization.
- Professional French translators with legal expertise, ensuring accurate translations with correct terminology, meeting the requirements of French authorities.
- The process is expedited thanks to established relationships with relevant authorities and extensive experience in consular legalization.
- Provides a comprehensive service package at reasonable costs, with no additional unexpected fees.
- A team of consultants is always ready to answer questions and support you throughout the document legalization process.
Duration: 5–10 working days (depending on the type of document and specific requirements).
Expense: Competitive all-inclusive pricing, with no extra charges. Contact us for a detailed quote.
Service Type |
Expense |
|---|---|
10,000 VND / 1 page | |
69,000 VND / 1 original document page / 300 words | |
40,000 VND / document | |
Consular certification (stamp of Vietnam Ministry of Foreign Affairs) | 300,000 VND / 1 stamp (250,000 VND / 1 stamp if the customer makes 2 or more documents) |
From 2,500,000 VND to 4,500,000 VND depending on the document |
Consular Legalization Procedures for Vietnamese Documents for Use in France
Step 1: Certification of Copies from Originals (If Needed)
If you only have a copy of the document, to be used legally, the copy must be certified from the original by the competent authority in Vietnam.
Documents to prepare:
- Original document to be certified
- Copy of the document to be certified (can be photocopied from the original)
- Personal identification (such as ID card, citizen card, or passport)
Authorities Responsible for Certification:
- Commune/Ward/Town People’s Committee: Certifies common documents such as household registration books, birth certificates, marriage certificates.
- Notary Office: Performs certification for other documents requiring special or complex verification.
Step 2: Notarized Translation into French
If the original documents are in Vietnamese and need to be used in France, they must be translated into French and notarized to ensure legal validity.
Documents to prepare:
- Original documents to be translated
- Copy of the documents (if required)
- Personal identification of the applicant requesting notarized translation
Place for Notarized Translation:
- Judicial notary offices
- Licensed translation companies authorized to provide notarized translation services.
Step 3: Consular Certification at the Consular Department of the Vietnamese Ministry of Foreign Affairs
Documents to prepare:
- Consular certification application form (according to the available template, obtained directly or downloaded from the Consular Department’s website)
- Original documents to be consularly certified
- Copies of the above documents
- Notarized translation into French (if required)
- Passport or photo ID (copy)
- Consular certification fee (as per current regulations)
Locations:
- Consular Department – Ministry of Foreign Affairs (Hanoi): No. 40 Tran Phu, Ba Dinh, Hanoi
- Ho Chi Minh City Department of Foreign Affairs: No. 6 Alexandre de Rhodes, District 1, HCMC
Processing Time: 2–5 working days, may take longer depending on the nature of the documents.
Step 4: Consular Legalization at the Embassy/Consulate General of France in Vietnam
Documents to prepare:
- Consular legalization application form (according to the template of the Embassy/Consulate General, can be downloaded from the website)
- Original documents already certified by the Consular Department or Department of Foreign Affairs
- Notarized translation into French (if required)
- Copies of the consularly certified documents
- Passport or photo ID (copy)
- Consular legalization fee (paid directly when submitting the documents)
- Envelope with the recipient’s address clearly written for return delivery by mail
Locations:
- Đại sứ quán Pháp tại Hà Nội:
- AddressRoom 05.02, 5th Floor, Newton Residences, 38 Truong Quoc Dung, Ward 8, Phu Nhuan District, HCMC: 57 Trần Hưng Đạo, Hàng Bài, Hoàn Kiếm, Hà Nội
- Phone: 024 3944 5700
- Tổng Lãnh sự quán Pháp tại TP.HCM:
- AddressRoom 05.02, 5th Floor, Newton Residences, 38 Truong Quoc Dung, Ward 8, Phu Nhuan District, HCMC: 27 Đ. Nguyễn Thị Minh Khai, Bến Nghé, Quận 1, Hồ Chí Minh
- Phone: 028 3520 6800
List of Countries for Legalization
French Consular Legalization is an important and necessary process to ensure the legal validity of documents when used in France. However, due to the complex procedures and strict requirements, completing the process correctly and fully can be a significant challenge for many people.
With many years of experience in translation and consular legalization, No.1 Translation is proud to be a reputable and professional provider, always ready to accompany you. We are committed to offering a comprehensive service, from accurate translation and consular certification to legalization at the Embassy, helping you save time, effort, and costs.
Contact No.1 Translation immediately for detailed consultation and prompt support! Your satisfaction is our top priority.
