I have an electronic criminal record certificate but need a paper copy to apply for US settlement: What to do?

I have an electronic criminal record certificate but need a paper copy to apply for US settlement: What to do?

From July 1, 2026, regulations on issuing criminal record certificates in Vietnam will have many notable changes.

Criminal record cards can be issued in electronic or paper form and these two forms have the same legal value according to the new regulations.

However, in reality there are still immigration, exit or consular procedures for which the applicant needs to prepare paper copies for certification, translation or next steps.

Here's why many people are experiencing the situation:

I already have an electronic criminal record certificate but don't know how to request a paper copy.

If you are applying for US settlement, you should not arbitrarily process it by reapplying multiple times, but first need to determine the correct purpose of use.

NEW REGULATIONS FROM July 1, 2026

Law No. 107/2025/QH15 amending and supplementing a number of articles of the Law on Judicial Records takes effect from July 1, 2026.

According to current instructions, a request for a criminal record certificate can be submitted in three forms:

Online.

Direct.

Through postal service.

Correspondingly, the Voucher can be issued in electronic form when performing online procedures or in paper form when performing in an appropriate form.

Electronic and paper copies have the same legal value.

This point is very important because many people misunderstand that from July 1, 2026, Vietnam will only issue electronic criminal record certificates.

Actually that is not so.

WHEN CAN I ASK FOR A PAPER COPY?

According to the Ministry of Public Security's instructions posted by the Government Electronic Newspaper, people can carry out the procedure for issuing paper copies in cases that meet the prescribed conditions.

For people who have level 2 electronic identification, if they need to issue a paper copy, they can authorize another person or ask their father, mother, spouse, child or guardian to carry out the procedure directly or via postal service.

This is a very notable point for Vietnamese people living abroad.

If the litigant is in the United States and needs a paper copy in Vietnam, processing does not necessarily mean having to return to Vietnam personally just to carry out the procedure.

However, authorization documents and the person performing the change must meet current regulations.

IF YOU ARE IN THE US, WHAT SHOULD YOU DO?

If you are in the United States and have an electronic criminal record certificate but need a paper copy for your immigration application, you should follow this order:

Step 1: Determine exactly what type of documents the application is requesting.

Do not assume that every time a "police certificate" is requested, you must reapply for a criminal record certificate.

It is necessary to check the specific requirements of the agency processing the application.

Step 2: Determine whether the existing Voucher is number 1 or number 2.

This is important information.

You should not arbitrarily change from Voucher No. 1 to No. 2 or vice versa without determining the requirements of the application.

Step 3: Determine whether the existing electronic version can be used for the intended purpose.

The electronic version has the same legal value as the paper version according to the new regulations.

However, the fact that a document has legal value in Vietnam and the fact that a foreign agency requires a specific document form are two different issues.

Step 4: If you really need a paper copy, determine who can carry out the procedure in Vietnam.

You can consider authorizing or asking a relative from a group prescribed by law to carry out the procedure.

Step 5: After receiving the paper copy, proceed with the next steps such as translation, certification or legalization if required by the specific dossier.

DO NOT CONFUSE LEGAL VALUE AND DOCUMENT REQUIREMENTS

This is a point that US immigration filers need to pay special attention to.

The fact that an electronic voucher has the same legal value as a paper copy does not mean that all agencies or procedures in foreign countries handle documents the same way.

For example, an application may request documentation to:

Translation.

Certification.

Consular legalization.

Submit to the consulate.

Supplement your visa application.

Each purpose may have different requirements.

So the correct question is not:

“Is an electronic copy as valuable as a paper copy?”

Which should be:

“The agency processing my application accepts the current form of documents