From July 1, 2025: Nationwide Launch of Online Notarization for Electronic Contracts in Vietnam

Starting July 1, 2025, Vietnam officially allows fully online notarization of electronic contracts under Decree 104/2025/NĐ-CP. This marks a major step in the digital transformation of the justice sector, helping individuals and businesses save time and costs while completing civil transactions with full legal validity.

How Are Electronic Contracts Notarized Online?

According to Clause 2, Article 48 of Decree 104/2025/NĐ-CP, most civil transactions (including purchase agreements, leases, and partnership contracts) can be notarized online. With the exception of wills and unilateral legal acts, nearly all standard contracts can now be notarized remotely with legal value equivalent to traditional notarization.

The 9-Step Digital Process for Online Notarization

The entire notarization process will be conducted through a remote digital platform. Below is the step-by-step flow:

Step 1: Submit a notarization request
Individuals or businesses submit a request via the online system to a licensed notary organization.

Step 2: Initiate an e-notarization session
The notary sets up a virtual session, creates accounts for all parties, and connects participants via a video conferencing platform.

Step 3: Upload the contract
The contract is uploaded either as a draft or a digitally signed version for review and confirmation by all parties.

Step 4: Review the contract content
Requesters can read the contract directly on the system or ask the notary to read it aloud for verification.

Step 5: Verify identity documents
All parties present their IDs and related documents. The notary verifies this information and converts it into a digital format for secure storage.

Step 6: Identity verification and digital signing
Participants are verified through eKYC or the national digital ID database. They then digitally sign the contract directly on the platform.

Step 7: Notary verification and certification
The notary verifies all digital signatures, confirms validity, and adds their own digital signature with a timestamp.

Step 8: Deliver the notarized contract
The finalized contract is sent to the requester via email or stored in the pre-registered system.

Step 9: Archive and share notarization records
The system automatically archives the contract in the e-notarization log and grants access to relevant parties or notaries at other locations.

Key Benefits of Online Notarization

✔ No need to visit a notary office
✔ Faster document processing
✔ Safe and transparent transactions
✔ Easy digital storage and retrieval
✔ Fully legal and officially recognized

Frequently Asked Questions (FAQs)

1. What types of contracts can be notarized online from July 1, 2025?
All standard civil contracts (e.g., sales, lease, cooperation agreements) can be notarized online, except for wills and unilateral legal actions.

2. Do e-notarized contracts have legal value?
Yes. Contracts notarized online carry full legal effect if properly digitally signed and timestamped in accordance with regulations.

3. Do I need to meet the notary in person?
No. Identity verification, digital signing, and notarization are all done online via a secure platform using eKYC.

4. Can the parties join from different locations?
Yes. Participants can join from different locations via the notary’s video conferencing platform and complete the process remotely.

5. What do I need to prepare for e-notarization?
You will need an ID document, internet-connected device, a digital signature (or VNeID e-identification account), and the digital version of the contract.