Vietnam Single Status Certificate (Giấy Xác Nhận Tình Trạng Hôn Nhân) Guide

You are planning to marry a Vietnamese citizen, buy property jointly, or complete a legal procedure in Vietnam that requires proof you are not currently married. Someone tells you that you need a "single status certificate," also known as Giấy xác nhận tình trạng hôn nhân. You search for it, and the results are confusing. Some sources say the commune People's Committee issues it. Others say you need to go to your embassy for a sworn affidavit. A few say the certificate is no longer required at all.

The confusion is real, and it comes from a change in the law that took effect in 2025. Under Decree 07/2025/ND-CP, Vietnamese civil status officers are now required to look up marital status information directly in the National Population Database and the Electronic Civil Status Database. For Vietnamese citizens registering a marriage inside Vietnam, this means a paper certificate of marital status is no longer required. The information is checked digitally at the time of registration. However, for foreign nationals, the rules are different, and the path you take depends on your nationality and the purpose for which you need the document.

This guide walks through what the law actually says, who needs which document, the application procedure for foreign nationals residing in Vietnam, the alternatives for those whose home countries do not issue single status certificates, and the mistakes that cause applications to be rejected.

Critical accuracy note: The specific fee for a single status certificate is set by local People's Councils and varies by province. The standard fee is listed as VND 15,000 per issuance in some localities, with a 50% reduction for online submissions and exemptions for certain categories. Always verify the current fee directly with the commune People's Committee where you are registered. Processing time is 3 working days for a complete application, extendable to 23 working days if verification is required.

What Is the Legal Basis for the Single Status Certificate in Vietnam?

The single status certificate is governed by Articles 21, 22, and 23 of Decree No. 123/2015/ND-CP, dated 15 November 2015, which provides detailed regulations and measures for implementing the Law on Civil Status. Article 21 establishes the authority to issue the certificate. Article 22 sets out the procedure. Article 23 defines the validity period.

Under Article 21, the Commune People's Committee where a Vietnamese citizen is permanently registered issues the certificate of marital status. If the citizen has no permanent residence but has registered temporary residence, the Commune People's Committee where they are temporarily registered issues the certificate. Clause 2 of Article 21 explicitly extends this provision to foreign nationals and stateless persons residing in Vietnam, if they so request. This means a foreign national who is registered as a temporary resident in Vietnam can request a single status certificate from the Commune People's Committee where they are registered.

Article 22 sets out the application procedure. The applicant submits a declaration form according to the prescribed template. If the purpose of the certificate is marriage, the applicant must meet the conditions for marriage under the Law on Marriage and Family. If the applicant has been married and is now divorced or widowed, they must present or submit valid documents proving the change in status, such as a divorce decree or a death certificate. The civil status officer verifies the marital status within 3 working days. If verification is required, the processing time may extend to 23 working days. If the conditions are met, the certificate is issued.

Article 23 specifies the validity period of the certificate. The single status certificate is valid until the marital status of the person changes or for 6 months from the date of issuance, whichever comes first. This means a certificate issued for marriage purposes cannot be used indefinitely. If the marriage does not take place within 6 months, a new certificate must be obtained.

Pro tip: The 6-month validity period starts from the date the certificate is issued, not the date you receive it or the date you submit it to the marriage registration office. Plan your timeline accordingly, especially if your marriage involves multiple steps such as embassy legalization or translation.

Required Documents and Step-by-Step Procedure for Foreign Applicants

For a foreign national residing in Vietnam, the application is submitted to the Commune People's Committee where you are registered as a temporary resident. The following documents are required based on the official legal framework.

The prescribed declaration form (Tờ khai cấp Giấy xác nhận tình trạng hôn nhân). This form must be completed with your personal details, current marital status, and the purpose for which the certificate is requested.
Your valid passport or a substitute document. The passport must be valid and must be the original or a certified copy. A copy of the passport is required for the dossier.
Proof of temporary residence in Vietnam. This may be a temporary residence card, a temporary residence certificate, or a registration confirmation from the local police where you are registered.
Documents proving your current marital status if you have been married before. This includes a divorce decree or a death certificate of your former spouse. These documents must be translated into Vietnamese and notarized if issued in a foreign language.
Written authorization from the applicant if someone else submits the application on your behalf. The law allows a third party to submit the application, but a written authorization is required.

The procedure follows a specific sequence.

Step one: Obtain the declaration form. The form can be obtained at the Commune People's Committee where you are registered, or downloaded from the National Public Service Portal. Some localities allow online submission.
Step two: Prepare the dossier. Complete the declaration form and gather all supporting documents. Ensure that all foreign-language documents are translated into Vietnamese by a certified translator and notarized.
Step three: Submit the application. Submit the dossier to the Commune People's Committee where you are registered as a temporary resident. You can submit in person or, in some localities, online through the National Public Service Portal.
Step four: Verification and processing. The civil status officer verifies your marital status. If the information is available in the National Population Database or the Electronic Civil Status Database, verification may be immediate. If verification is required from another authority, the processing time extends to 23 working days.
Step five: Receive the certificate. If your conditions are met, the certificate is issued. It is valid for 6 months from the date of issuance or until your marital status changes, whichever comes first.

For foreign nationals whose home country does not issue a single status certificate in the Vietnamese format, the law provides an alternative. Under Article 22 of Decree 123/2015/ND-CP, if the foreign country does not issue a certificate of marital status, the applicant may substitute a document issued by a competent foreign authority confirming that they are eligible for marriage under the law of that country. This document must be legalized by consular legalization and translated into Vietnamese.

Warning: The 6-month validity period applies to both the Vietnamese-issued certificate and the foreign-issued alternative document if that document does not state its own validity period. If your foreign-issued document has no expiration date, it is valid for 6 months from the date of issuance for the purpose of marriage registration in Vietnam.

The Embassy Affidavit Option for Foreign Nationals

Not all countries issue a single status certificate in the same way Vietnam does. For citizens of countries such as the United States, Canada, the United Kingdom, and Australia, there is no local commune office that issues a "certificate of no marriage" in the Vietnamese format. Instead, these countries require their citizens to make a sworn declaration, known as an Affidavit of Single Status or a Statutory Declaration of Single Status.

Under this process, you make a sworn statement at your embassy or consulate in Vietnam affirming that you are not currently married. The embassy or consulate certifies your signature on the affidavit. The affidavit must then be translated into Vietnamese and legalized by the Vietnamese consular authority, either the Consular Department of the Ministry of Foreign Affairs or the Department of External Affairs of the province where the embassy is located. Only after these steps does the document have legal value to be submitted to the District People's Committee for marriage registration.

This process is distinct from the Vietnamese-issued single status certificate. The Vietnamese certificate is issued by the Commune People's Committee. The embassy affidavit is issued by your own country's diplomatic mission. For the purpose of registering a marriage with a Vietnamese citizen in Vietnam, the embassy affidavit, after legalization, serves as your proof of single status.

If you are from a country that does issue a certificate of no impediment to marriage in a format that can be legalized, you can obtain that document from your home country's civil registry and then have it legalized and translated. The key requirement is that the document must clearly state your current marital status: single, divorced, widowed, or eligible to marry.

Copyable Declaration Form for Single Status Certificate

The following is an English-language reproduction of the Tờ khai cấp Giấy xác nhận tình trạng hôn nhân. This form is used when applying for the certificate at the Commune People's Committee. Replace all bracketed placeholders with your own information.

SOCIALIST REPUBLIC OF VIETNAM
Independence - Freedom - Happiness DECLARATION FOR ISSUANCE OF CERTIFICATE OF MARITAL STATUS To: The People's Committee of [Commune/Ward Name]
[District Name], [Province/City Name] Full name of declarant: [Your Full Name]
Ethnicity: [Ethnicity or leave blank if not applicable]
Nationality: [Your Nationality]
Place of permanent/temporary residence: [Your Full Registered Address in Vietnam]
Relationship to the person for whom the certificate is requested: [Self] Request for issuance of Certificate of Marital Status for the person
named below: Full name: [Your Full Name as in Passport]
Gender: [Male/Female]
Date of birth: [DD/MM/YYYY]
Place of birth: [City, Country]
Ethnicity: [Ethnicity or leave blank]
Nationality: [Your Nationality]
Passport number or substitute document: [Passport Number]
Place of permanent/temporary residence: [Your Full Registered Address in Vietnam] Current marital status (select one):
[ ] Currently married
[ ] Never registered a marriage
[ ] Previously registered a marriage, now divorced
[ ] Previously registered a marriage, spouse deceased Purpose of the Certificate of Marital Status: [Specify purpose, e.g., marriage registration with a Vietnamese citizen] I declare that the information provided above is true and correct and
I take legal responsibility for my declaration. Requested at: [City/Province]
Date: [DD/MM/YYYY] Declarant
[Signature and Full Name] Notes:
(1) State clearly: currently married; or never registered a marriage;
or previously registered a marriage but now divorced or the other
person has died.
(2) State whether the certificate is for yourself or for another person;
if for another person, state the relationship.
(3) State clearly the purpose for which the Certificate of Marital
Status will be used.

Translation Table for Key Vietnamese Terms

Understanding the Vietnamese terminology helps you verify that the documents you are signing and submitting match what you intend. The following table maps the most important terms you will encounter.

Giấy xác nhận tình trạng hôn nhân — Certificate of Marital Status. The official document proving your current marital status.
Tờ khai cấp Giấy xác nhận tình trạng hôn nhân — Declaration form for issuance of Certificate of Marital Status. The application form you must complete.
Tình trạng hôn nhân — Marital status. The specific information the certificate confirms.
Độc thân — Single. One of the possible marital statuses.
Đã ly hôn — Divorced. Marital status following a legal dissolution of marriage.
Góa — Widowed. Marital status following the death of a spouse.
Đủ điều kiện kết hôn — Eligible for marriage. The condition that must be met if the certificate is for marriage purposes.
Ủy ban nhân dân cấp xã — Commune People's Committee. The local authority that issues the certificate.
Nơi thường trú — Place of permanent residence. The registered permanent address.
Nơi tạm trú — Place of temporary residence. The registered temporary address, which is the basis for foreigners applying for the certificate.
Hợp pháp hóa lãnh sự — Consular legalization. The process of authenticating foreign documents for use in Vietnam.
Cơ quan đại diện ngoại giao — Diplomatic representative agency. The embassy or consulate that may issue an affidavit of single status.

Common Mistakes and Rejection Warnings

Most applications for a single status certificate that fail do so for a small set of recurring reasons. These are the issues to verify before submission.

Assuming the certificate is no longer required for all purposes. Under Decree 07/2025/ND-CP, the certificate is no longer required for Vietnamese citizens registering a marriage inside Vietnam, because the civil status officer looks up the information directly in the National Population Database. However, the certificate is still required for marriages at overseas Vietnamese representative missions, for submission to foreign competent agencies abroad, and for other purposes. Foreign nationals applying for marriage registration with a Vietnamese citizen still need to provide their own proof of single status.
Not meeting the marriage eligibility conditions. If the certificate is requested for the purpose of marriage, the applicant must meet the conditions for marriage under the Law on Marriage and Family. This means being of legal marriageable age and not currently married. If you do not meet these conditions, the certificate cannot be issued for that purpose.
Failing to provide proof of a change in marital status. If you have been married before and are now divorced or widowed, you must present or submit valid documents proving the change, such as a divorce decree or a death certificate. Without these documents, the civil status officer cannot verify your current status.
Submitting documents that are not translated or notarized. All foreign-language documents must be translated into Vietnamese by a certified translator and notarized. Missing translations or unclear copies will cause delays or rejection.
Applying at the wrong Commune People's Committee. The application must be submitted to the Commune People's Committee where you are registered as a temporary resident. If you are not registered in the locality, the application cannot be processed.
Using an expired certificate. The certificate is valid for 6 months from the date of issuance or until your marital status changes, whichever comes first. If you present an expired certificate at the marriage registration office, it will not be accepted.
Assuming your embassy affidavit is sufficient on its own. The affidavit issued by your embassy or consulate must be translated into Vietnamese and legalized by the Vietnamese consular authority before it can be submitted to the District People's Committee. An unlegalized affidavit has no legal value in Vietnam.
Not verifying the current fee. The specific fee is set by the local People's Council and varies by province. The standard fee is listed as VND 15,000 per issuance in some localities, with a 50% reduction for online submissions. Do not assume a uniform fee applies nationwide.

Pro tip: If you are applying for marriage registration with a Vietnamese citizen, verify with the District People's Committee whether they accept the Vietnamese-issued certificate or whether they require a specific foreign-issued document from your home country. The requirements can vary depending on your nationality and the specific marriage registration office handling your case.

Disclaimer: Administrative regulations are subject to official policy updates. Always cross-check with the official immigration/government authority before final submission.

Frequently Asked Questions

Q: Can a foreigner get a single status certificate in Vietnam?
A: Yes. Under Clause 2 of Article 21 of Decree 123/2015/ND-CP, foreign nationals and stateless persons residing in Vietnam may request a Certificate of Marital Status from the Commune People's Committee where they are registered as a temporary resident. The application is submitted with a declaration form, a valid passport, proof of temporary residence, and documents proving marital status if previously married.

Q: Is the single status certificate still required in Vietnam after Decree 07/2025/ND-CP?
A: For Vietnamese citizens registering a marriage inside Vietnam, the certificate is no longer required because the civil status officer now looks up marital status information directly in the National Population Database and the Electronic Civil Status Database. However, the certificate is still required for marriages at overseas Vietnamese representative missions, for submission to foreign competent agencies abroad, and for other purposes. Foreign nationals still need to provide their own proof of single status for marriage registration in Vietnam.

Q: How long is a single status certificate valid in Vietnam?
A: Under Article 23 of Decree 123/2015/ND-CP, the certificate is valid until your marital status changes or for 6 months from the date of issuance, whichever comes first. If the certificate is issued for marriage purposes and the marriage does not take place within 6 months, a new certificate must be obtained.

Q: What is the difference between the Vietnamese single status certificate and an embassy affidavit?
A: The Vietnamese certificate is issued by the Commune People's Committee where you are registered as a temporary resident. The embassy affidavit is a sworn statement made at your own country's embassy or consulate in Vietnam. The affidavit must be translated into Vietnamese and legalized by the Vietnamese consular authority before it can be submitted for marriage registration. The certificate is for foreign nationals residing in Vietnam; the affidavit is for citizens of countries that do not issue a single status certificate in the Vietnamese format.

Q: How much does a single status certificate cost in Vietnam?
A: The fee is set by the local People's Council and varies by province. The standard fee is listed as VND 15,000 per issuance in some localities, with a 50% reduction for online submissions and exemptions for certain categories such as poor households and persons with disabilities. Always verify the current fee directly with the Commune People's Committee where you are applying, as the amount is not uniform nationwide.

Q: What should I do if I am already divorced or widowed?
A: You must present or submit valid documents proving the change in your marital status. This includes a divorce decree or a death certificate of your former spouse. These documents must be translated into Vietnamese and notarized if they were issued in a foreign language. Without these documents, the civil status officer cannot verify your current status and the certificate cannot be issued.