Destination: Vietnam · new rules
Singapore Documents for Vietnam — Apostille From 11 September 2026
Vietnam joined the Hague Apostille Convention, and it took effect on 11 September 2026. Singapore documents for Vietnam now need notarisation (for private documents) and an apostille from the Singapore Academy of Law, instead of consular legalisation at the Vietnamese Embassy. Much of the advice online still describes the old embassy route.
Last updated 1 October 2026
- Route
- Notary + SAL apostille
- Embassy step
- Not needed from 11 Sep 2026
- Often also needed
- Vietnamese translation
What changed for Vietnam on 11 September 2026
| Before 11 Sep 2026 | From 11 Sep 2026 | |
|---|---|---|
| Route | Notary → SAL → Vietnamese Embassy legalisation | Notary → SAL apostille |
| Embassy visit | Required | Not required |
Vietnamese offices may take time to update their own checklists. If the office you’re dealing with still asks for embassy legalisation, send us their written instructions and we’ll advise.
Documents already legalised under the old route
Documents legalised at the Vietnamese Embassy before 11 September 2026 are generally still accepted, but each receiving office decides, and some only accept documents issued recently. If yours is old, check with the recipient before relying on it.
Work permit and business documents for Vietnam
Work permits
Degree certificates (certified copies), and sometimes experience letters or police certificates, apostilled.
Certified copiesCompany set-up and investment
Certificate of incorporation, good standing, board resolutions, powers of attorney for a local representative.
Corporate documentsMarriage in Vietnam
Single status declaration and passport copies.
DeclarationsWhen a Vietnamese translation is also needed
Vietnamese authorities generally require documents in Vietnamese. Ask the receiving office whether the translation must be done and certified in Vietnam, or can be attached in Singapore; where it can be done here, we add it to the same job as a translation combo.
Timeline and cost for Vietnam
- Notary visit or pickup: at your convenience, including evenings and weekends
- SAL apostille: usually 1–3 working days
- Express courier to Vietnam: 1–3 working days
- Official fees: notary fee (e.g. S$115 per signature with certificate) + S$87.20 per apostille on a notarised document, or S$10.70 for a Singapore public document
- Our fees: runner from S$25 per document, full concierge from S$249 per document — pricing
Typical express courier time; customs or remote areas may take longer.
Last updated: 1 October 2026. Rules change; we confirm the route for your document before quoting.
Questions about Vietnam
Do I still need the Vietnamese Embassy for my document?
Can you check whether my Vietnamese office has updated its rules?
Use Vietnam’s new apostille route.
No embassy step since 11 September 2026 — we’ll confirm the route for your document.