Vietnam Police Clearance Certificate (Phiếu Lý lịch Tư pháp)

Updated 2026-05-29 · General information, not legal advice.

A Vietnamese Phiếu Lý lịch Tư pháp số 2 (judicial record certificate) document with an official red seal

For a US immigrant visa — such as the CR-1/IR-1 spouse visa — applicants generally need a police clearance certificate from each country where they have lived. For Vietnam, this is the Phiếu Lý lịch Tư pháp (judicial record certificate), issued by the Ministry of Justice's National Center for Criminal Records or a provincial Department of Justice (Sở Tư pháp).

Who Needs It

Immigrant visa applicants aged 16 and older who have lived in Vietnam are typically required to provide one as part of the NVC stage.

Type 1 (Số 1) vs. Type 2 (Số 2)

Phiếu số 1: a shorter version that may omit expunged convictions.
Phiếu số 2: a full record showing complete criminal history.

Important: US immigration generally requires Phiếu số 2, because it shows the full record. Request Số 2 to avoid delays.

How to Apply

In Vietnam: at the Sở Tư pháp of your province of residence, or the National Center for Criminal Records.
Online: through the VNeID app or the National Public Service Portal, where the service is increasingly available.
From abroad: overseas Vietnamese can apply by mail or authorize a representative in Vietnam with a power of attorney; some can apply online via VNeID.

Translation for US Use

The certificate is issued in Vietnamese and must be accompanied by a certified English translation when submitted to the National Visa Center or the consulate.

Validity

Keep it recent — consular officers prefer a certificate issued not long before the interview. If yours becomes old during processing, you may be asked for a new one.

Frequently Asked Questions

Do I need Type 1 or Type 2?

US immigration generally requires Phiếu số 2 (the full record). Requesting Type 1 can cause delays or a request for Type 2.

Can I get it from outside Vietnam?

Yes. Overseas Vietnamese can apply by mail, through an authorized representative with a power of attorney, or in many cases online via the VNeID app.

Does it need to be translated into English?

Yes. Submit a certified English translation along with the Vietnamese original to the NVC or consulate.