Legalisation of Vietnamese documents for use in Switzerland: Apostille and translation

• Vietnam deposited its instrument of accession on 31 December 2025; the Convention enters into force for Vietnam on 11 September 2026.
• The HCCH status table lists three objections to Vietnam's accession: Czechia, Austria and Germany. Switzerland did not object and has been a party since 11 March 1973, so the Convention applies between the two countries.
• The Convention says the only formality that may be required to certify the signature, the capacity of the signatory and the seal is the Apostille. It does not certify the content of the document.
• In Vietnam the Ministry of Foreign Affairs issues Apostilles through the Consular Department (Hanoi) and the Department of Foreign Affairs in Ho Chi Minh City.

Updated: 2 October 2026 · Sources: HCCH — Viet Nam's accession to the Apostille Convention (instrument deposited 31 December 2025, in force 11 September 2026), HCCH — Apostille Convention status table: Viet Nam's accession and objections (Czechia, Austria, Germany), HCCH — full text of the 1961 Apostille Convention (Article 1: scope; Article 3: the Apostille is the only formality), Ministry of Justice of Vietnam — Vietnam's accession to the Apostille Convention (in force 11 September 2026)

• Civil status documents (birth, unmarried status, divorce, death, marriage) must be freshly issued, not older than six months. Originals go to the Swiss civil status authority and are not returned; photocopies are not accepted.
• Get the Apostille on the original at the Consular Department or the Department of Foreign Affairs. Before 11 September 2026 the procedure at these same two offices was legalisation.
• Then have the documents translated by an official notary office in Vietnam into a Swiss national language (French, German or Italian) or English.
• The Swiss authorities may ask for more documents; if a thorough check of foreign documents by a lawyer approved by the representation is needed, you pay for it.
• Outside the Apostille: documents executed by diplomatic or consular agents, and administrative documents dealing directly with commercial or customs operations. These still go through legalisation.

Updated: 2 October 2026 · Sources: FDFA — marriage or partnership performed abroad, HCCH — full text of the 1961 Apostille Convention (Article 1: scope; Article 3: the Apostille is the only formality), Ministry of Justice of Vietnam — Vietnam's accession to the Apostille Convention (in force 11 September 2026)

Swiss representations abroad may legalise the seals and official signatures of the receiving state and the signatures of private persons. The person legalising certifies only the authenticity of the signature and seal, not the validity or content of the document.

• Private signatures on documents for a Swiss authority or institution: come in person during opening hours with a valid ID and the document to be signed.
• Documents for a third country: ask that country's representation in Vietnam; it may recognise only legalisation by its own embassy or consulate.
• The representation checks every request and may ask for more information or refuse if there is a risk of breaking local law or harming Switzerland's reputation.

Fees follow the consular fee table, are payable in the currency determined by the representation and may be adapted to exchange rates.

Updated: 2 October 2026 · Sources: FDFA — legalisations, FDFA — legalisation of private signatures, FDFA — fees for legalisations, Consulate General of Switzerland in Ho Chi Minh City — consular fees from 1 April 2026

• A Swiss public document within the Convention only needs an Apostille. In Switzerland it is issued by the cantonal legalisation authority or the Federal Chancellery in Bern; Swiss representations abroad are not authorised to issue Apostilles.
• From 11 September 2026 Vietnam is a receiving state under the Convention, so it recognises a Swiss Apostille for such documents without further consular legalisation.
• Vietnamese authorities may need a Vietnamese translation; ask the receiving office what it requires.

Updated: 2 October 2026 · Sources: FDFA — legalisation of official seals and signatures, HCCH — full text of the 1961 Apostille Convention (Article 1: scope; Article 3: the Apostille is the only formality), HCCH — Apostille Convention status table: Viet Nam's accession and objections (Czechia, Austria, Germany), Ministry of Justice of Vietnam — Vietnam's accession to the Apostille Convention (in force 11 September 2026)