Vietnam and the Philippines have not yet signed any agreement on exemption from consular legalization. Therefore, all Vietnamese documents intended for use in the Philippines, or vice versa, must go through the Philippine consular legalization/authentication process.
In this article, No.1 Translation will provide you with detailed guidance on various aspects related to consular legalization in the Philippines — from the concept and required documents to the legalization process for documents from both Vietnam and the Philippines.
CONTACT FOR SERVICE CONSULTANCY
What is Philippine Consular Legalization?
Before diving into the details of the consular legalization process in the Philippines, let’s first explore the concepts of “consular authentication” and “consular legalization.”
- Philippine Consular Authentication: Consular authentication is the first step in the legalization process. In Vietnam, the competent authority—usually the Ministry of Foreign Affairs—verifies the seal, signature, and title on the documents. Through this process, the documents are officially recognized and acquire legal validity for use in the Philippines.
- Philippine Consular Legalization: Consular legalization is the next step after completing consular authentication. At this stage, the Embassy or Consulate of the Philippines in Vietnam verifies the seal, signature, and title of the Vietnamese diplomatic authority on the authenticated documents. This process ensures that the documents and papers are legally valid and officially recognized in the Philippines.
This process is commonly required for purposes such as:
- Immigration, employment, or settlement abroad
- Marriage registration between Vietnamese and Filipino citizens
- Import and export activities
- Foreign investment
- Adoption procedures
Documents Not Eligible for Philippine Consular Authentication/Legalization
The following documents will not be accepted for consular authentication or legalization by the Philippines:
- Documents that have been altered or erased without proper correction as required by law.
- Documents within the legalization application that contain conflicting details.
- Forged documents or those issued or certified by unauthorized entities under the law.
- Documents bearing signatures or seals that are not original.
- Documents containing content that infringes upon the interests of the State of Vietnam.
Procedure for Legalizing Vietnamese Documents for Use in the Philippines
Step 1: Certified Translation
If the document is in English or bilingual, only a certified copy is required.
If the document is in Vietnamese, it must be translated into English and both the translation and the copy must be notarized at a notary office.
>>> See more: Translation of documents from Vietnamese to English từ 55.000đ/Trang
Step 2: Consular authentication at the Ministry of Foreign Affairs of Vietnam:
Prepare the following documents:
- Consular authentication/legalization application form No. LS/HPH-2012/TK or a printed online application form.
- The original personal identification document (ID card/Citizen ID, passport, or equivalent document) for in-person submission, or a copy of the identification document for submission by mail.
- Documents and materials to be authenticated, including the original + notarized copy + notarized English translation if the original document is in Vietnamese + photocopies of all these documents.
- One envelope with the recipient's address clearly written (if the documents are sent by post and the result is requested to be returned by post).
Submit the application at one of the following two locations:
- Consular Department in Hanoi: 40 Trần Phú, Ba Đình District, Hanoi (for documents issued from Da Nang northward) – Tel: 02437993125.
- Consular Office – Department of External Relations of Ho Chi Minh City: 6 Alexandre de Rhodes, Bến Nghé Ward, District 1, Ho Chi Minh City (for documents issued from Quang Ngai southward) – Tel: 02838224224.
Alternatively, you can send your application by post to the Consular Department or the Department of External Relations according to your regional jurisdiction.
Step 3: Consular Authentication at the Embassy of the Philippines in Hanoi or Ho Chi Minh City
Submit your application at:
- Embassy of the Philippines in Hanoi: 27B Trần Hưng Đạo Street, Hanoi, Vietnam – Tel: (84-24) 3943 78 73. Application hours: Monday to Friday, from 8:30 AM to 4:30 PM (except Vietnamese and Philippine public holidays).
- Consulate General of the Philippines in Ho Chi Minh City: 998 Đồng Văn Cống Street, Thạnh Mỹ Lợi Ward, District 2, Ho Chi Minh City – Tel: +84 28 3518 0045. Application hours: Monday to Friday, from 8:30 AM to 4:30 PM (except Vietnamese and Philippine public holidays).
Consular Legalization of Philippine Documents for Use in Vietnam
Step 1: Authentication by the Issuing Authority
Bring the document to the issuing authority for authentication.
Step 2: Consular authentication at the Philippine Department of Foreign Affairs
Submit the application at the Consular Office of the DFA located in Manila, Pampanga, Cebu, or Davao.
Step 3:
1. Consular legalization in the Philippines (for documents available within the Philippines)::
Translate the documents into Vietnamese and submit the application at the Embassy of Vietnam in the Philippines:
- Address: 670 Pablo Ocampo St, Malate, Manila, Philippines.
- Tel: +63-2-5216843 (loc. 101).
- Application hours: Monday to Friday, from 9:00 AM to 5:00 PM (except public holidays of the Philippines and Vietnam).
The consular authentication fee at the Embassy of Vietnam in the Philippines is 10 USD per document.
2. Consular Legalization in Vietnam (for documents already authenticated by the Philippine DFA)
Submit the application at the Embassy of the Philippines in Hanoi or the Consulate General of the Philippines in Ho Chi Minh City.
After that, submit the application to the Consular Department – Ministry of Foreign Affairs or the Consular Office of the Department of External Relations of Ho Chi Minh City to complete the consular legalization process.
The Hague Convention Abolishing the Requirement of Legalization
The Philippines acceded to the Apostille Convention on May 14, 2019. This means that public documents issued in the Philippines for use abroad are accompanied by an Apostille to certify their authenticity.
However, the Apostille Convention applies only to Philippine public documents used abroad and does not affect the consular legalization process for documents from other countries, including Vietnam.
>>> See more: Công ước La Hay và ý nghĩa trong hợp pháp hóa
All-in-One Philippine Consular Legalization and Authentication Services at No.1 Translation
No.1 Translation offers a comprehensive solution that helps you save time, effort, and cost. You won’t have to worry about researching procedures, traveling between offices, or dealing with unexpected issues.
Simply provide the necessary information and documents for legalization, and let No.1 Translation handle the rest.
Advantages of Using No.1 Translation’s Full-Service Package:
- Time-saving: We handle the entire process on your behalf, from document preparation to submission and result collection.
- Simple procedure: Clients only need to provide the necessary information and documents — we will take care of all the remaining steps.
- Lowest cost: No.1 Translation is committed to offering the most competitive prices on the market, with all fees clearly stated and no hidden charges.
- Legal consultation: We will advise you on the most suitable consular legalization or certification option for your intended use.
- Thorough document review: We carefully check customers’ documents to ensure all information and papers are complete and accurate, preventing cases of returned dossiers due to omissions.
- Professional service: Our team of experienced professionals will provide dedicated and attentive support.
Service Quotation for Philippine Consular Legalization and Authentication
Below are the details of our service fees:
Filipino Translation Fee: From 310,000 VND/page
Translation notarization fee:
- Notarization in Hanoi and Northern provinces: From 50,000 – 60,000 VND per document.
- Notarization in Ho Chi Minh City and Southern provinces: 50,000 VND per document.
Consular Department – Ministry of Foreign Affairs of Vietnam Seal Fee: 300,000 VND per stamp, or 250,000 VND per stamp for two or more stamps.
Consular Legalization Fee at the Embassy of the Philippines in Vietnam: 2,500,000 VND per document.
Note:
- This price applies to one set of documents, covering all four steps: translation, notarization, consular seal, and embassy legalization.
- Completion time: 7–10 working days for all four steps.
Philippine Consular Legalization is a necessary process to ensure that documents are recognized in the country. Understanding the procedure, preparing complete documentation, and choosing the right service will help you complete the process quickly, efficiently, and securely.
No.1 Translation provides comprehensive Philippine consular legalization services, helping you save maximum time, effort, and cost. Our team of experienced specialists will assist you from start to finish, ensuring all procedures are carried out correctly and efficiently.
