FULL GUIDE ON OBTAINING POLICE CHECK CERTIFICATE TYPE 1 INSIDE AND OUTSIDE VIETNAM 2025

Wednesday, 16/04/25

With Vietnam’s administrative reform shifting the criminal record issuance process to the Ministry of Public Security, understanding the new structure is not just helpful—it’s essential. The transition marks a strategic move by the Vietnamese government to consolidate national data systems and tighten control over personal background verification. For foreigners living or having previously resided in Vietnam, this change introduces new challenges: Application authorities have changed; Submission routes and documentation requirements differ; The risk of delay or rejection increases significantly if forms are submitted to the wrong authority or without compliance with the updated process. At the same time, this centralization presents an opportunity for streamlined processing—if you know the system. This guide by Visa5s.com bridges that gap. It is built not only on legal accuracy but also on first-hand practical experience supporting expats, HR teams, and corporate clients through real casework. In short, mastering the new system now means smoother compliance tomorrow—especially as international mobility, digital work, and global hiring continue to accelerate.

LATEST UPDATES OF THE VIETNAMESE POLICE CHECK CERTIFICATE AND NEW SYSTEM APPLICATION 2025

As part of the government’s administrative reform, the Ministry of Public Security (MPS) has officially taken over the issuance of criminal record certificates from the Department of Justice. This centralization aims to to centralize background data, enhance data accuracy, and streamline processing by unifying the system under the public security authority.

But for applicants, especially those outside Vietnam, this means:

New authorities
New forms
New submission routes. Submitting to the wrong agency or using outdated forms could lead to delays or rejection.

This guide from Visa5s.com is built on both the accuracy and real case experience, helping HR teams, global mobility units, and individuals handle the 2025 transition smoothly.

TYPES OF VIETNAM POLICE CHECK AND SUBMISSION METHODS (2025): IN-PERSON & AUTHORIZED REPRESENTATIVE & BY POST/COURIER

Category	Vietnam Police Check Certificate Type 1	Vietnam Police Check Certificate Type 2
Purpose	For individuals to confirm whether or not they have a criminal record.	Contains full criminal record history, including expunged records.
Common Use Cases	Work Permit in Vietnam	Residence visa for the third country, background checks for sensitive jobs, Court proceedings; …
Method of submission	In-person Via authorized representative	In-person By post/courier

Following the administrative shift to the Ministry of Public Security in March 2025, applicants now have three main options for submitting their application for a Police Check Certificate:

Method	Description	Applicable Vietnam Police Check	Place of submission
In-person	Submit directly at the Professional Records Division of the provincial Police Department	Vietnam Police Check Certificate Type 1 & 2	Inside Vietnam
Via authorized representative	Another person submits the application on behalf of the applicant with a notarized Power of Attorney (POA)	Vietnam Police Check Certificate Type 1	Both Inside & Outside Vietnam
By post/ courier	Submit the application through express mail to the appropriate Police Department office	Vietnam Police Check Certificate Type 2	Outside Vietnam

FULL GUIDE ON OBATINING POLICE CHECK CERTIFICATE TYPE 1 INSIDE AND OUTSIDE VIETNAM 2025

📌 Required Documents & Where to Apply

Place of submission	Submission Method	Required documents - Standard Processing time - Processing Authority
Inside Vietnam	In-person	📂 Documents Required: Form 01/2025/LLTP Original Temporary Residential Certificate Original Passport Original Valid Vietnam Visa/Temporary Residence Card (TRC) ⏳ Processing Time: 15–20 working days 🏢 Authority: Local Police Department where you are residing
Inside Vietnam	Via authorized representative	📂 Documents Required: Form 02/2025/LLTP Notarized Power of Attroney Notarized Full Passport, Valid Vietnam Visa/TRC Notarized Reprentative’s ID Card ⏳ Processing Time: 15–20 working days 🏢 Authority: Local Police Department where you are residing
From Outside Vietnam	Via authorized representative	📂 Documents Required: Form 01/2025/LLTP Power of Attroney certified by Vietnam Embassy/Consulate Certifed full passport by Vietnam Embassy/Consulate ⏳ Processing Time: 20–30 working days 🏢 Authority: Department of Criminal Records Management

🔄 05 Steps Application Procedure:

Step 1: Prepare complete set of required documents
Step 2: Submit application via in-person, authorized person, or post (as applicable)
Step 3: Receive application receipt and estimated return date
Step 4: Wait for processing (follow up if necessary)
Step 5: Receive original Police Check Certificate (by post or in-person pick-up)

🌍 Legalization for Overseas Using: A Vietnamese Police Check Certificate, once issued, is not automatically valid abroad. You must complete additional steps for it to be legally accepted in other countries:

Translate the document into the required language of the destination country.
Get the document authenticated by the Ministry of Foreign Affairs (MOFA) of Vietnam.
Bring the authenticated document to the embassy or consulate of the destination country in Vietnam for consular legalization. Or if the relevant authorities in Vietnam does not have the eligibility to process this step, you should try to contact the embassy or consulate of the destination country in your home country for their instructions.

With Vietnam’s new public security-led system effective from March 2025, obtaining a Police Check Certificate requires careful attention to new authorities and procedures. Whether you are applying from within Vietnam or abroad, understanding the process will help you avoid delays and ensure your certificate is valid for its intended purpose.

For those unfamiliar with Vietnam’s administrative system, using a professional service provider or a trusted representative in Vietnam is highly recommended.

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FULL GUIDE ON OBTAINING POLICE CHECK CERTIFICATE TYPE 1 INSIDE AND OUTSIDE VIETNAM 2025

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