Distinguishing Between the Certificate of Single Status and Affidavit of Single Status for U.S. Citizens

To complete the marriage registration process between a U.S. citizen (or permanent resident) and a Vietnamese citizen in Vietnam, both parties must provide documents confirming their single status. The Vietnamese citizen provides a certificate of single status, while the U.S. citizen provides either a Certificate of Single Status or an Affidavit of Single Status. But when should you obtain a Certificate of Single Status, and when is an Affidavit of Single Status more appropriate?

Category	Certificate of Single Status	Affidavit of Single Status
Applicant	– U.S. Citizen – U.S. Permanent Resident	– U.S. Citizen
Location	USA	Vietnam
Processing Agency	– Vietnamese Embassy in Washington D.C. – Vietnamese Consulate General in San Francisco-California – Vietnamese Consulate General in Houston-Texas – Vietnamese Consulate in New York	– U.S. Embassy in Hanoi – U.S. Consulate General in Ho Chi Minh City
Purpose	Marriage registration with a spouse in Vietnam	Marriage registration with a spouse in Vietnam
Procedure	More complex	Simpler
Cost	Higher	Lower

What is a Certificate of Single Status?                   

A Certificate of Single Status is a document confirming the single status of a U.S. citizen (or U.S. permanent resident), issued by the Vietnamese diplomatic mission in the USA.                         

Applicant: U.S. citizens or U.S. permanent residents.                       

Location: Vietnamese Embassy/Consulate in the USA.                    

Purpose: To register a marriage with a Vietnamese citizen in Vietnam.                     

English Term: Certificate of Single Status.

What is an Affidavit of Single Status?                    

An Affidavit of Single Status is a sworn statement of a U.S. citizen’s single status, issued by a U.S. diplomatic mission in Vietnam.                        

Applicant: U.S. citizens.                

Location: U.S. Embassy/Consulate in Vietnam.                   

Purpose: To register a marriage with a Vietnamese citizen in Vietnam.                     

English Term: Affidavit of Single Status.

Should You Obtain a Certificate of Single Status or an Affidavit of Single Status?

According to Vietnamese Marriage and Family Law, marriage registration is a voluntary matter between the two parties. While only one party needs to be present to submit the registration documents, both must be present to sign the marriage certificate.                    

Both the Certificate of Single Status and the Affidavit of Single Status are used for marriage registration with a Vietnamese citizen at a Vietnamese civil status office. If you are marrying in the USA, you do not need to provide a single status confirmation document from Vietnamese authorities.

So, which should you obtain before coming to Vietnam?                            

For U.S. Citizens:                            

U.S. citizens should obtain an Affidavit of Single Status in Vietnam. Since U.S. citizens must be present in Vietnam to sign the marriage certificate, the affidavit is a quick and efficient option. You simply need to bring your passport to the U.S. Embassy/Consulate in Vietnam, having scheduled an appointment two weeks in advance. If you are divorced or widowed, bring the relevant documents (divorce decree or death certificate) to affirm your single status.                 

For U.S. Permanent Residents:                   

U.S. permanent residents must obtain a Certificate of Single Status in the USA. Unlike U.S. citizens, permanent residents cannot swear an affidavit at the U.S. consulate in Vietnam. Therefore, you must secure the Certificate of Single Status before traveling to Vietnam.                  

The procedure for obtaining a Certificate of Single Status in the USA involves three steps, is time-consuming, and incurs higher costs. Plan to start this process at least two months before your intended travel date to Vietnam.

Summary                          

U.S. Citizens: Obtain an Affidavit of Single Status in Vietnam (arrive in Vietnam first, then confirm single status).                   

U.S. Permanent Residents: Obtain a Certificate of Single Status in the USA (confirm single status before traveling to Vietnam).