How are rare language documents handled for translation and notarization?

Question: How are notarized translations or certifications handled for documents from countries that use rare or uncommon languages?

Answer:

According to Vietnamese law, foreign documents must be legalized by consular authorities (except in cases exempted from consular legalization as prescribed), and notarized or certified translations are required. Pursuant to the Law on Notarization 2014 and its amendments in 2018, a notary public office has the authority to notarize translations of foreign language documents. 

Based on Decree 23/2015/ND-CP on issuing certified copies from original registers, certifying copies from originals, certifying signatures, and certifying contracts and transactions, the district-level Department of Justice or Vietnamese diplomatic missions or other authorized agencies abroad have the authority to certify translations of foreign language documents. Therefore, for documents from countries using rare languages, businesses can have them translated into Vietnamese and certified by the Vietnamese Embassy in the country of origin (or in an intermediary country where Vietnam has a diplomatic mission and the country in question). 

In some cases, such as Arabic or Greek, to ensure compliance with the language requirements under Article 14 of Decree 111/2011/ND-CP on consular legalization, documents will be translated into English, and the translation will be certified by a competent judicial authority of the country to guarantee that the document has been accurately and fully translated from the rare language into English. Subsequently, consular authentication will be carried out at a diplomatic mission and finally consular legalization at the Vietnamese Embassy. 

Accordingly, upon arrival in Vietnam, the document can be notarized or certified from English into Vietnamese at a Department of Justice or a notary public office in accordance with the regulations.