Please note: As of 1 March 2025, the responsibility for receiving applications for the Criminal Record Certificate; receiving, updating, and processing criminal record information has been transferred from the Department of Justice to the Provincial/Municipal Police Departments.

Criminal Record Certificate: Guidance on Consular Authentication at the Embassy for Completing the Application to Be Submitted to Competent Authorities in Viet Nam

• For Vietnamese citizens: Applications must be submitted to the Provincial/Municipal Police Department where the applicant is registered for permanent residence.

• For foreign nationals: Applications must be submitted to the Department of Criminal Records, Ministry of Public Security.

1. General Notes

• Step 1: Whether you need Criminal Record Certificate No. 1 or Criminal Record Certificate No. 2 depends on the requirements of the competent Australian authority and the specific purpose of your case (marriage, settlement, visa application, employment, etc.). Applicants should seek clarification from the Department of Immigration & Border Protection, or from Registered Migration Agents (search at www.mara.gov.au), or legal professionals.
  • Criminal Record Certificate No. 1 includes criminal convictions that have not yet been expunged.
  • Criminal Record Certificate No. 2 includes all criminal convictions, including both expunged and unexpunged convictions.
• Step 2: Carefully read the required documents, procedures, and method of submission (in person or by post) at the Provincial/Municipal Police Department, and contact them directly for further information.
• Step 3: Complete the certification of certain documents at the Embassy of Viet Nam in Australia.
• Step 4: Finalize all required documents and submit them by post or in person to the Department of Justice.

2. Documents that may be certified by the Embassy of Viet Nam in Australia to complete your Criminal Record Certificate application (as required in Step 2):

Applicants may request the Embassy to certify signatures and certify true copies of the following documents:

• Application form for Criminal Record Certificate: The applicant must sign the form in person and select either “Request for Criminal Record Certificate No. 1” or “Request for Criminal Record Certificate No. 2.”
• Power of Attorney authorizing another person to submit and collect the Criminal Record Certificate on behalf of the applicant.
• Certified true copy of passport (including the photo page and pages with Viet Nam entry/exit stamps).
• Certified true copy of Vietnamese ID Card/Citizen ID (if available).
• One return envelope (express/registered return envelope) clearly stating the applicant’s name and address.
• Fees (payable in cash, Money Order, or Bank Cheque made payable to “The Embassy of Viet Nam”).

The Embassy will certify signatures on the Application Form and Power of Attorney, and certify true copies of the passport and/or Vietnamese ID/Citizen ID.

Processing time at the Embassy: 05 working days from the date of receiving a complete and valid application.

For further information, please contact:

Embassy of Viet Nam in Australia Office Address: 47 Culgoa Circuit, O'Malley ACT 2606, Australia Postal Address: PO BOX 98, Mawson ACT 2607, Australia

Please see the instructions here or here.