Vietnamese Marriage Certificate for IRCC: Apostille or Translation?
💡 For IRCC spousal sponsorship, your Vietnamese marriage certificate needs two things: a certified true copy of the original, from a Vietnamese notary or People's Committee, and a certified translation into English or French with a translator's signed affidavit. Apostille is not required by IRCC. I provide the certified translation.
- IRCC requires a certified true copy (sao y bản chính) of the original Vietnamese marriage certificate, not a plain photocopy - unlike USCIS.
- A certified translation into English or French is required alongside the copy, plus a translator affidavit if the translator is not an ATIO or OTTIAQ member.
- Apostille is not required by IRCC for Vietnamese marriage certificates, even after Vietnam joined the Apostille Convention on 11 September 2026.
- The certified true copy comes from a Vietnamese notary office or People's Committee; the translation is provided by a qualified translator.
- Correct order: get the certified true copy in Vietnam first, then send it for certified translation.
| Requirement | IRCC (Canada) spousal sponsorship | USCIS (USA) immigrant visa |
|---|---|---|
| Apostille from Vietnam MOFA | Not required | Not required |
| Certified true copy of original | Required - from Vietnamese notary or People's Committee | Not required (plain photocopy accepted) |
| Certified translation | Required - into English or French | Required - into English |
| Translator affidavit | Required if translator is not ATIO/OTTIAQ certified | Not required |
| Translation notarization | Not required | Not required |
What IRCC actually requires for a Vietnamese marriage certificate
According to the IRCC Help Centre, all supporting documents must be in English or French. For a Vietnamese marriage certificate (Giấy chứng nhận kết hôn), that means three things submitted together: a certified true copy of the original, a complete certified Vietnamese marriage certificate translation into English or French, and - if the translator is not an ATIO or OTTIAQ member - a signed translator affidavit. Missing any one of these three elements is the most common reason IRCC returns Vietnamese spousal sponsorship files for resubmission.
The translation must be complete. Every name, date, seal, stamp, and handwritten note in the original must appear accurately in the English or French version. IRCC officers check for completeness on each submitted document.
What is the difference between apostille, certified true copy, and certified translation?
These three instruments serve different purposes, and paying for the wrong one is a costly mistake. A certified true copy is a photocopy certified by a notary or People's Committee confirming it faithfully reproduces the original. A certified translation converts the Vietnamese text into English or French, with the translator's signed statement of accuracy. An apostille is a certificate issued by Vietnam's Ministry of Foreign Affairs - effective from 11 September 2026 - that authenticates the official seal and signature on the original document for use in Hague Convention member countries.
For IRCC spousal sponsorship: you need the certified true copy and the certified translation. You do not need an apostille. None of these three instruments replaces the others.
Does IRCC require apostille after Vietnam joined the Apostille Convention?
No. Vietnam joined the Hague Apostille Convention on 11 September 2026, replacing the old multi-step consular legalization process with a single MOFA apostille for most member countries. This is a useful change for courts, civil registries, and some employer verification processes.
IRCC's own requirements are entirely separate from the Convention. IRCC does not ask for an apostille on foreign documents in immigration applications. An apostille would matter if the marriage certificate were needed in a Canadian court proceeding, not in an immigration filing. For spousal sponsorship, the certified true copy paired with a certified translation is all IRCC requires. Do not pay for steps that IRCC has not requested.
What does a “certified true copy” of a Vietnamese marriage certificate mean?
A Vietnamese marriage certificate is issued by the People's Committee (Ủy ban nhân dân) of the commune, ward, or district where the marriage was registered. The original is typically held by the married couple.
For IRCC, a certified true copy means a photocopy certified by an authorized official as a faithful reproduction of the original. For Vietnamese documents, this is the certified true copy, issued by a Vietnamese notary office (văn phòng công chứng) or by the People's Committee. If you are already in Canada, a commissioner of oaths or notary public can also certify the photocopy. For applicants still in Vietnam, obtaining the certified true copy before departure is the most practical approach.
Issuing a certified true copy is a notarial or government act. I provide the certified translation and a signed certificate of accuracy. For the certified copy of the original document, contact a Vietnamese notary office or People's Committee.
How does IRCC differ from USCIS for a Vietnamese marriage certificate?
Both IRCC and USCIS require a certified English translation for every Vietnamese marriage certificate. The key differences: under 8 CFR 103.2(b)(3), USCIS accepts a plain photocopy of the original alongside a certified translation - no notarization of the copy is needed. IRCC requires a certified photocopy. On the translator side, USCIS accepts any translator's signed certificate of accuracy; IRCC prefers ATIO or OTTIAQ-certified translators and requires a sworn translator affidavit from a non-certified translator. Neither authority requires apostille in a standard immigration context.
For the USCIS-specific rules, see: certified true copy vs translation for a US visa marriage certificate.
Get the certified true copy first, then have it translated
The correct sequence: obtain the certified true copy from a Vietnamese notary or People's Committee first, then submit that certified copy for certified Vietnamese civil document translation. The translation references the certified copy exactly, so both documents can be submitted to IRCC as a consistent, matching set. For the full IRCC framework covering all Vietnamese civil documents, see: IRCC: apostille, certified true copy, or certified translation for Vietnamese documents.
Ready to move forward? Request a certified translation of your Vietnamese marriage certificate for IRCC - I include a signed certificate of accuracy with every translation, prepared for IRCC submission standards.
FAQ
Does IRCC require apostille on a Vietnamese marriage certificate?
No. IRCC requires a certified true copy and a certified translation, not an apostille. Vietnam joined the Hague Apostille Convention on 11 September 2026, but IRCC's submission requirements are unchanged: apostille is not needed for spousal sponsorship applications.
Can I submit a plain photocopy of my Vietnamese marriage certificate to IRCC?
No. IRCC requires a certified photocopy certified by a Vietnamese notary office, People's Committee, or - if you are in Canada - by a commissioner of oaths. A plain photocopy is not accepted by IRCC, unlike USCIS which accepts plain copies under 8 CFR 103.2(b)(3).
Does the certified translation of my Vietnamese marriage certificate need to be notarized?
No. The translation itself is not notarized. If the translator is not an ATIO or OTTIAQ member, IRCC requires a sworn affidavit from the translator confirming the translation is complete and accurate. This affidavit is sworn before a notary or commissioner of oaths and applies to the translator's statement, not to the translation document itself.
Who issues the certified true copy of a Vietnamese marriage certificate for IRCC?
In Vietnam, a licensed notary office or the People's Committee in the district where the marriage was registered can issue a certified true copy. In Canada, a commissioner of oaths or notary public can certify a photocopy of the original document.
Is a Vietnamese marriage registration book different from the marriage certificate?
Yes. Vietnam registers marriages in a registry book held by the People's Committee and issues a marriage certificate to the couple. For IRCC, submit the marriage certificate, not the registry book. If you need a duplicate or replacement certificate, apply at the People's Committee in the district where the marriage was registered.
Written by Dao Huy (Lucas), Vietnamese translator & localization specialist (EN · ZH · FR → Vietnamese). See translation services → · Certified Documents →