Does USCIS Require a Certified True Copy of Vietnamese Documents?
💡 USCIS does not require a certified true copy of Vietnamese documents. Under 8 CFR 103.2(b)(3), you need only a plain photocopy of the original plus a complete certified English translation signed by a competent translator. The certified translation is what we provide; a notarial true copy is not required for a US immigration filing.
- USCIS requires a plain photocopy of the original Vietnamese document, not a certified true copy from a notary office.
- A complete certified English translation, signed by the translator, is the required document per 8 CFR 103.2(b)(3).
- Notarization of the translation is NOT required by USCIS.
- An apostille on the Vietnamese document is NOT required for USCIS filings.
- Other authorities such as Australian immigration and some European consulates may require a certified true copy; USCIS does not.
| Certified True Copy (Bản sao có chứng thực) | Certified Translation | |
|---|---|---|
| What it is | A government-verified photocopy of your original, issued by a Vietnamese notary office or People's Committee | A complete English rendering of the original with the translator's signed certificate of accuracy and competence |
| Who issues or signs it | Vietnamese notary office (văn phòng công chứng) or People's Committee (Ủy ban nhân dân) | A qualified translator - we sign this for USCIS filings |
| Does USCIS require it? | No - a plain photocopy of the original is sufficient | Yes - required by 8 CFR 103.2(b)(3) |
| Does a university or foreign consulate typically require it? | Often yes - check the specific institution's checklist | Yes - usually required alongside the true copy or original |
| Apostille relevant? | An apostille authenticates the seal on the original for international use - different from a true copy | Not applicable - translation is a separate step after authentication |
What does USCIS actually ask for when you submit a Vietnamese document?
The governing rule is 8 CFR 103.2(b)(3): every foreign-language document submitted to USCIS must be accompanied by a full English translation that the translator has certified as complete and accurate, plus the translator's own certification that they are competent in the language pair. That is the complete requirement: a translation and a signed certificate from the translator.
USCIS also expects you to include a plain photocopy of the foreign-language original alongside the translation, so the officer can verify the translation matches the source. The photocopy does not need to be a certified true copy issued by a Vietnamese notary. A clear scan of your birth certificate, marriage certificate, or household registration book is enough.
What is a certified true copy - and why does USCIS not need one?
A certified true copy (bản sao có chứng thực) is a notarially certified photocopy issued by a Vietnamese notary office or a People's Committee. It carries an official stamp confirming the copy is identical to the original on file. Vietnamese universities, some foreign embassies, and civil registry offices in Vietnam frequently request one. For a deeper look at how these two concepts differ, see our guide on certified true copy vs certified translation.
USCIS does not operate within Vietnam's notarial system. It cannot verify Vietnamese notarial stamps, and its own regulation asks only for the certified translation plus a photocopy. Obtaining a certified true copy before a US immigration filing adds cost and time for no benefit: the reviewing officer will not look for it, and its absence will not cause a rejection.
Which Vietnamese documents need certified translation for USCIS?
Almost every civil and personal document in a Vietnamese immigrant's file needs a certified Vietnamese document translation for USCIS. The most common are:
- Birth certificates (giấy khai sinh) - required for I-130, I-485, N-400, and most adjustment-of-status filings.
- Marriage certificates (giấy đăng ký kết hôn) - required for spousal petitions, I-130, K-1 visa, and naturalization.
- Household registration books (sổ hộ khẩu) - often required in family-based petitions to show relationship history and shared residence.
- Divorce decrees (bản án ly hôn) - required when a prior marriage must be on record for a new spousal petition.
- Police clearance certificates (phiếu lý lịch tư pháp) - required at immigrant visa interviews.
Each document requires its own separate translation and certificate. For your US immigration filing, see our certified Vietnamese translation for USCIS page for a full list and quote.
Does USCIS require an apostille on Vietnamese documents?
No. An apostille is an authentication certificate under the Hague Apostille Convention: it verifies the seal and signature on an official document so that document is recognized in other member countries. From 11 September 2026, Vietnam joins the Convention, making apostilles available for Vietnamese documents destined for other member states.
USCIS does not require apostilles on foreign documents in immigration filings. The agency relies on the translator's certification, not on the international authentication chain. If you are preparing a US immigration filing, you do not need to apostille your Vietnamese birth certificate, marriage certificate, or household registration book before translating and submitting it. For the marriage certificate case specifically, see marriage certificate for US visa: certified true copy or certified translation.
Related: Certified true copy before or after translation - the right order (for destinations that require both steps).
FAQ
Can I submit a scan of my Vietnamese birth certificate to USCIS, or does it need to be an original?
A clear photocopy or scan is acceptable for most USCIS filings. USCIS does not typically require you to submit the physical original; it asks for a copy alongside the certified English translation. Keep your original available in case you are asked to present it at a biometric appointment or interview.
Will USCIS reject my application if I include a certified true copy instead of a plain photocopy?
No - including a certified true copy will not cause a rejection. It is unnecessary, but it is not harmful. The regulation does not prohibit it; it simply does not require it. The certified translation is the document that matters most to the officer reviewing your file.
Does the translation need to be notarized for USCIS?
No. USCIS does not require notarization of translations. The translator's own signed certificate of accuracy and competence is sufficient under 8 CFR 103.2(b)(3). Notarization verifies a signature's identity; it does not improve the translation's standing with USCIS and is not a regulatory requirement.
My Vietnamese household registration book has many pages - do all pages need to be translated?
Yes, the certified translation must be complete. USCIS requires a full translation of each document submitted. For a household registration book, all pages containing names, dates, relationships, and registration entries should be translated. Omitting pages can result in a Request for Evidence (RFE) and delay your case.
I only have a certified true copy of my document, not the original. Can I translate the certified true copy for USCIS?
Yes. If the certified true copy is a faithful reproduction of the original, translating it is acceptable. USCIS is looking for an accurate English rendering of the document's content. The fact that the source copy bears a notarial stamp does not affect the validity of the translation for immigration purposes.
Written by Dao Huy (Lucas), Vietnamese translator & localization specialist (EN · ZH · FR → Vietnamese). See translation services → · Certified Documents →