Procedures for recording of inter-country marriage in the civil status register

What are the order and procedures for recording of inter-country marriage in the civil status register?

Under Article 35 of the above-mentioned Decree, a dossier for recording of marriage in the civil status register may be submitted by the wife or husband at the district-level People’s Committee of the concerned locality, comprising the declaration made according to a set form; and a copy of the marriage certificate granted by a foreign authority.

In addition to these papers, if the dossier is sent by post, copies of papers proving the personal identity of both partners will also be required. Such papers may be valid passports, people’s identity cards, citizen identity cards or another paper affixed with a photo containing personal information granted by a competent state agency.

The time limit for recording a marriage in the civil status register is five working days from the date the district-level Justice Division receives the dossier. If verification is needed, the time limit may be extended to 10 working days.

Within 12 days after receiving a valid and complete dossier, if deeming that law-prescribed conditions for recording the marriage in the civil status register are fully satisfied, the head of the district-level Justice Division will record the marriage in the civil status register and grant an extract of the register, signed by the district-level People’s Committee chairperson, to the applicant.

If finding that the marriage violates the prohibitions prescribed in the Law on Marriage and Family, the head of the district-level Justice Division will report it to the district-level People’s Committee chairperson for refusal.

By: Vietnam Law & Legal Forum