💡 For an INZ partner resident visa, your Vietnamese marriage certificate does not need an apostille or a certified true copy. Immigration New Zealand requires only a certified English translation, with the translator's name, credentials, and a signed accuracy statement. Vietnam joining the Hague Apostille Convention on 11 September 2026 does not change this: apostille is not part of INZ's translation requirement.
- INZ requires a certified English translation of your Vietnamese marriage certificate for the partner resident visa, not an apostille or notarized copy.
- The translator provides their name, qualifications or experience, and a signed accuracy statement. NAATI accreditation is not required for overseas applicants.
- Vietnam joined the Hague Apostille Convention on 11 September 2026, but INZ has never mandated an apostille on foreign-language originals as part of a translation filing.
- For an online INZ application, a clear color scan of the original is enough. Paper applications may require originals or copies certified locally in New Zealand.
- For the partner visitor visa, most documents only need a full translation, not a certified one. The partner resident visa applies the stricter certified-translation rule.
| Requirement | Does INZ need it? | Who provides it |
|---|---|---|
| Certified English translation | Yes, for resident visa | Professional translator |
| Translator's signed accuracy statement | Yes | Included with the translation |
| Apostille on the Vietnamese original | No | Vietnam MOFA, not required for INZ |
| Certified true copy (notarized photocopy) | No | Vietnamese notary office, not required by INZ |
| NAATI accreditation | No | INZ accepts reputable overseas translators |
| Notarization of the translation | No | Not part of INZ's requirements |
What does INZ require for your Vietnamese marriage certificate?
Immigration New Zealand's partner resident visa requires a certified English translation of every non-English supporting document, including your Vietnamese marriage certificate (giấy chứng nhận đăng ký kết hôn). The translation must carry the translator's full name, their qualifications or experience, and a signed statement that it is complete and accurate.
INZ does not require notarization. Its Operations Manual A13.5 accepts reputable translation businesses, embassy services, and community members known for accurate translation work. A professional translator working outside New Zealand meets that standard. The translation should ideally be on letterhead, but INZ does not prescribe a rigid format.
Does Vietnam's new apostille change what INZ needs?
Vietnam joined the Hague Apostille Convention on 11 September 2026. Vietnamese public documents, including marriage certificates, can now carry a MOFA apostille, replacing the old consular legalization chain for the 125 member countries.
This does not change what INZ requires. An apostille certifies the official seal and signature on the original Vietnamese document: it tells a receiving authority the paper is genuine. INZ does not require an apostille on foreign-language originals as a condition of accepting a translation. The only step INZ asks for from a translator is the certified English translation itself, signed with an accuracy statement.
If you want an apostille on your marriage certificate for a separate purpose, such as registering a marriage in a third country, you can get one from Vietnam's MOFA independently. It adds nothing to your INZ partner visa application.
Do you need a certified true copy of the Vietnamese original?
A certified true copy (sao y công chứng) is a photocopy stamped and certified by a Vietnamese notary office confirming it matches the original. It is a standard document inside Vietnam's own administrative system.
INZ does not ask for one. For an online INZ application, a clear color scan of the original marriage certificate is standard. For a paper application, INZ guidance refers to "certified copies," but in that context it means a copy certified as matching the original by an acceptable certifier in New Zealand, such as a lawyer or Justice of the Peace, not a Vietnamese notary. Always check the instructions for your specific visa subclass before lodging.
For a deeper look at this distinction, see our guide on the difference between a certified true copy and a certified translation for immigration.
What counts as a certified translation for INZ?
A certified translation for INZ is not a government certificate. It is a translation accompanied by a statement signed by the translator confirming competence in both languages and that the translation is accurate and complete. It includes the translator's name and a description of their qualifications or experience. Letterhead is recommended but not required.
NAATI is Australia's national accreditation for translators working inside Australia. INZ does not require it for overseas applicants. A certified Vietnamese marriage certificate translation from a professional translator with experience in Vietnamese civil documents meets INZ's standard.
We provide certified Vietnamese civil document translation covering marriage certificates, birth certificates, and related immigration documents, with a signed certificate of accuracy ready for INZ submission. Contact us for a quote.
The document chain for your INZ partner visa
Here is the practical order for a partner resident visa using a Vietnamese marriage certificate:
- Obtain the original marriage certificate from the local People's Committee or civil registry in Vietnam. If the original is damaged or lost, request a fresh certified extract (trích lục hôn nhân) from the same registry.
- Scan the original in color at high resolution.
- Commission a certified English translation from a professional translator. The translation covers every element: names, dates, seals, stamps, the issuing authority's title, and any official notations.
- Submit the color scan of the original and the certified translation together in your INZ online application.
No apostille is needed for this INZ step. No notary visit is required. For the full picture of what each INZ visa type requires from Vietnamese documents, see our guide on certified Vietnamese translation for New Zealand immigration.
What if you are in a de facto relationship?
INZ recognizes de facto partnerships of at least 12 months alongside legal marriages. For a de facto partner visa, there is no marriage certificate to translate. Instead, INZ asks for certified translations of documents proving the relationship: joint bank statements, lease agreements, or shared correspondence are typical examples.
You may also need a certified translation of a single status certificate confirming neither partner has an undissolved prior marriage. See our guide to the Vietnamese single status certificate for overseas applications for the apostille and translation requirements.
For police certificates and other required documents, see also our guide to the Vietnamese criminal record certificate for New Zealand applications.
FAQ
Does my Vietnamese marriage certificate need an apostille for a New Zealand partner visa?
No. INZ does not require an apostille on the Vietnamese original for a partner visa filing. You need only a certified English translation with the translator's signed accuracy statement. An apostille on the original is useful for proving authenticity to other authorities, but it is not part of INZ's translation requirement.
Does the translation need to come from a NAATI-accredited translator?
No. NAATI is an Australian national accreditation for translators working inside Australia. INZ's Operations Manual A13.5 accepts reputable translation businesses, embassy services, and community members known for accurate translation work. A professional translator based overseas meets that standard without NAATI credentials.
What if my name is spelled differently across my Vietnamese documents and my passport?
Translate faithfully from the original document. Name discrepancies are common in Vietnamese immigration files due to romanization differences and reversed name order. Note the discrepancy briefly in a cover letter. INZ officers are familiar with Vietnamese naming conventions and handle this routinely.
Can I submit the certified translation without the original document?
For online INZ applications, you submit the certified translation together with a clear scan of the original. INZ uses the translation to read the document and the scan to confirm what was translated. Paper applications require originals or copies certified in New Zealand. Always follow the specific instructions in the current INZ application form for your visa subclass.
Is a marriage certificate from the 1980s or 1990s (older format) translated differently?
No. INZ's requirement is a complete, accurate certified English translation regardless of when the certificate was issued. Older Vietnamese documents may use different terminology, calligraphy, or script. A professional translator works from whatever original you hold and renders it faithfully in English.
Written by Dao Huy (Lucas), Vietnamese translator and localization specialist (English, Chinese and French into Vietnamese). See translation services → · Certified Documents →