Decree No. 24/2013/ND-CP dated March 28, 2013 of the Government promulgating the implementation of some Articles of the Law on Marriage and Family on relations of marriage and family with foreign factors

SHORTEN THE TIME FOR MARRIAGE REGISTRATION WITH FOREIGNERS

On March 28, 2013, the Government issued the Decree No. 24/2013/ND-CP promulgating the implementation of some Articles of the Law on Marriage and Family on relations of marriage and family with foreign factors.

This Decree promulgates the implementation of some articles of the Law on Marriage and Family regarding the marriage relationship between Vietnamese citizens and foreigners, between Vietnamese citizens with each other, which at least a party living overseas, between foreigners in Vietnam. Only one party is requested to apply dossier directly at the Department of Justice if having marriage registration in Vietnam or representative agencies if having marriage registration on representative agencies (two parties must present in the old regulations).

Time limit to settle the marriage registration is 25 days as from the date the provincial justice departments receive the complete and valid dossiers and fees. In case the provincial justice department’s request police agencies for verification as prescribed in clause 2 Article 10 of this Decree, the time limit may be prolonged but not exceeding 10 working days.  Time limit to settle the marriage registration at representative agencies is 20 days as from the date the representative agencies receive the complete and valid dossiers and fees. In case the representative agencies request domestic agencies for verification as prescribed in clause 2 Article 13 of this Decree, the time limit may be prolonged but not exceeding 35 days.

The marriage registration shall also be refused if the interview, inspection and verification results show that the marriage is conducted through illegal brokerage or is sham, not for the purpose of building a prosperous, equitable, progressive, happy and sustainable family; or aims at human trafficking, labor exploitation, sexually abusing women or other self-seeking purposes.

This Decree takes effect May 15, 2013 and replaces the Decree No. 68/2002/ND-CP dated July 10, 2002.