Decree No. 104/2025/NĐ-CP detailing certain provisions and implementation measures of the Notarization Law

DECREE

Detailed regulations on certain provisions and implementation measures of the Notarization Law

Pursuant to the Government Organization Law dated February 18, 2025;

Pursuant to the Notarization Law dated November 26, 2024;

At the proposal of the Minister of Justice;

Government promulgates this Decree detailing certain provisions and implementation measures of the Notarization Law.

PART I

GENERAL PROVISIONS

Article 1. Scope of Regulation

1. Detailed regulations on Clause 3 Article 22, Article 30, Article 31, Article 34, Clause 3 Article 39, Article 41, Clause 4 Article 59, Article 63, Article 64, Clause 3 Article 65, Article 66, and Article 68 of the Notarization Law.

2. Measures for organizing implementation and guiding the implementation of contents stipulated in Article 8, Clause 5 Article 11, Clause 2 Article 13, Clause 4 Article 15, Clause 3 Article 16, Clause 4 Article 17, Clause 3 Article 19, Point b Clause 2 and Clause 6 Article 20, Clause 1 and Clause 5 Article 23, Clause 3 and Clause 4 Article 24, Clause 4 Article 25, Clause 4 Article 26, Clause 3 Article 29, Point d Clause 2 Article 46, Clause 1 Article 50, Clause 3 Article 51, Clause 4 Article 52, Clause 3 Article 61, and Clause 2 Article 62 of the Notarization Law.

Article 2. Applicability

This Decree applies to notaries, consular officials, diplomatic officials assigned to perform notarization (hereinafter referred to as diplomatic officials), organizations practicing notarization, diplomatic missions, consular posts of the Socialist Republic of Vietnam abroad (hereinafter referred to as Diplomatic Missions), associations of notaries, persons requesting notarization, state management agencies on notarization, and individuals, agencies, and organizations related thereto.

Chapter II

TRAINING INSTITUTIONS FOR NOTARIZATION PROFESSION; APPLICATIONS, PROCEDURES FOR APPOINTMENT, REAPPOINTMENT, AND REMOVAL OF NOTARIES

Article 3. Training institutions for the notarization profession

The training institution for the notarization profession as prescribed in Article 11 of the Notarization Law is an entity with the function of training the notarization profession under the Ministry of Justice.

Article 4. Applications, procedures, and formalities for the appointment of notaries

1. The application for the appointment of a notary includes the following documents:

a) An application for the appointment of a notary in the form prescribed by the Minister of Justice;

b) Documents proving the period of legal work as prescribed by the Minister of Justice; in cases where the applicant falls within the categories prescribed in Clause 5 and Clause 6 Article 14 of the Notarization Law, they must provide documents proving that they have been relieved of duties, their practice certificate has been revoked, or they no longer fall within these categories;

c) A health examination certificate issued by a medical facility authorized to issue such certificates within six months from the date of submission of the application. The documents specified in Points b and c of this clause may be original or certified copies or electronic copies.

2. Individuals who meet the criteria and conditions stipulated in Article 13 of the Notarization Law shall prepare one set of applications as prescribed in Clause 1 of this Article and submit it directly, through postal services, or online via an electronic environment to the Department of Justice at the locality where they completed their notarization practice internship.

3. Within ten working days from the date of receiving complete and valid applications, the Department of Justice shall examine and propose the Minister of Justice to appoint notaries, along with the application for appointment, for those who meet the criteria and conditions for the appointment of notaries; in case of rejection, a written notification with detailed reasons must be provided.

In cases where information in the application is incomplete, inconsistent, or requires verification, the Department of Justice shall request the applicant to explain, supplement information, or the Department of Justice shall conduct verification of the information. The time limit prescribed in this clause is calculated from the date the Department of Justice receives the results of explanation, supplementation, or verification of information.

4. Within ten working days from the date of receipt of the proposal letter from the Department of Justice accompanied by a complete and valid application, the Minister of Justice shall examine and decide on the appointment of notaries; in case of rejection, a written notification with detailed reasons must be provided to the Department of Justice and the applicant.

In cases where information in the application for the appointment of notaries is incomplete, inconsistent, or requires verification, the Ministry of Justice shall request the Department of Justice to supplement or clarify information, or the Ministry of Justice shall cooperate with relevant agencies and organizations to verify the information. The time limit prescribed in this clause is calculated from the date the Ministry of Justice receives the results of supplementation, clarification, or verification of information.

Article 5. Sending and posting information about decisions to temporarily suspend notarization activities and decisions to terminate temporary suspension of notarization activities

1. Decisions to temporarily suspend notarization activities and decisions to terminate temporary suspension of notarization activities as prescribed in Clause 1 and Clause 3, Article 15 of the Notarization Law must be sent by the Department of Justice to the notary public, notarization organizations, the Association of Notaries, the People's Committee of the province or centrally governed city (hereinafter referred to as the provincial-level People's Committee) where the notary public practices on the day the decision is issued, and at the same time, the information must be updated into the software managing notarization activities of the Ministry of Justice.

2. Within five working days from the date of issuing the decisions as prescribed in Clause 1 of this Article, the Department of Justice shall post the decisions on its official website or the Department of Justice’s electronic portal (hereinafter referred to as the Department of Justice’s electronic portal); the posting period must be at least fifteen days.

3. Notarization organizations and professional associations of notary publics that receive decisions from competent authorities or verified information about the notary public being criminally prosecuted or subject to administrative measures must report in writing to the Department of Justice within three working days from the date of receipt of the decision or information.

Article 6. Files, procedures, and formalities for the removal of notary publics

1. The file for requesting the removal of a notary public includes a request for removal of a notary public according to the form prescribed by the Minister of Justice.

2. A notary public falling under the circumstances prescribed in Clause 1 of Article 16 of the Notarization Law shall prepare one set of files according to the provisions of Clause 1 of this Article, submit directly or through postal services or online via an electronic environment to the Department of Justice where they currently practice or where they last practiced before requesting removal; in cases where a notary public has been appointed but has not yet practiced, the file shall be submitted to the Department of Justice where the appointment was requested.

Within five working days from the date of receiving complete and valid files, the Department of Justice shall issue a written request for the removal of the notary public, detailing the notary public's practice history and the Department of Justice's recommendation, along with the file sent to the Minister of Justice; if rejected, a written notification must be issued stating the reasons.

3. Within five working days from the date of having grounds to believe that the notary public falls under the circumstances for removal prescribed in Clause 2 of Article 16 of the Notarization Law, the Department of Justice shall issue a written request to the Minister of Justice for the removal of the notary public, attaching relevant documents as the basis for the request for removal.

4. Within ten working days from the date of receiving complete and valid files as prescribed in Clause 2 or Clause 3 of this Article, the Minister of Justice shall examine and decide on the removal of the notary public; if rejected, a written notification must be issued stating the reasons. In cases where the information in the file for requesting removal is incomplete, inconsistent, or requires verification, the Ministry of Justice may request the Department of Justice to supplement, clarify, or the Ministry of Justice may coordinate with related agencies and organizations to verify the information in the file. The deadline prescribed in this clause shall be calculated from the date the Ministry of Justice receives the results of supplementation, clarification, or verification of the information.

5. The Minister of Justice shall independently examine and decide on the removal of notary publics falling under the circumstances for removal prescribed in Clause 2 of Article 16 of the Notarization Law when the Department of Justice does not propose removal.

6. Notarization organizations discovering that their notary publics fall under the circumstances for removal or are automatically removed must promptly report in writing to the Department of Justice where they are registered for operation to consider and handle according to regulations.

The Department of Justice is responsible for continuously monitoring, inspecting, and reviewing the team of notary publics in the locality to promptly identify those notary publics falling under the circumstances for removal prescribed in Clause 2 of Article 16 of the Notarization Law; regularly compiling and updating the list of automatically removed notary publics into the software managing notarization activities of the Ministry of Justice, and simultaneously posting this list on the Department of Justice’s electronic portal.

7. Notary publics are not allowed to sign notarized documents from the effective date of the decision removing them from their position.

Article 7. Documents, procedures, and formalities for reappointing notaries

1. The application dossier for reappointing notaries shall include the following documents:

a) A request for reappointment of notary according to the form prescribed by the Minister of Justice;

b) Documents proving compliance with the conditions for reappointment as stipulated in Clause 1 and Clause 2 of Article 17 of the Notarization Law. The documents specified in point b of this clause must be original or certified copies or electronic copies.

2. A person wishing to be reappointed as a notary under Article 17 of the Notarization Law shall prepare one set of application dossier as prescribed in Clause 1 of this Article and submit it directly or through postal services or online on an electronic platform to the Department of Justice where the notary was previously relieved of duties; in cases where the notary is relieved of duties according to Clause 5 of Article 6 of this Decree, the applicant for reappointment shall submit the dossier to the Department of Justice at the place where the notary practiced notarization immediately before being relieved of duties.

3. The procedure for reappointing notaries shall be carried out in accordance with the provisions of Clause 3 and Clause 4 of Article 4 of this Decree.

Chapter III

NOTARY PRACTICES

Section 1

NOTARY OFFICE

Article 8. Conditions regarding the office premises of Notary Office

1. Having a specific address within administrative boundaries.

2. Ensuring working space for notaries, other staff members, workers, common usage areas, and specialized areas in accordance with legal regulations on standards and quotas for using office premises of public service organizations and laws on managing and using state assets; ensuring fire prevention and storage conditions for notarial records as prescribed by law.

3. In cases of renting office premises, the minimum lease term shall be two years.

Article 9. Plan for Converting Notary Office into Notary Public Office

1. The Department of Justice shall take the lead and coordinate with relevant departments and sectors and the Notary Association at the local level to develop the plan for converting Notary Office into Notary Public Office (hereinafter referred to as the Plan) and submit it to the Provincial People's Committee. The development of the Plan must seek opinions from notaries, other staff members, workers currently working at the Notary Office to be converted, political organizations, and socio-political organizations at the Notary Office (if any).

2. The Plan shall include the following main contents:

a) The necessity of converting the Notary Office;

b) Results of organizational and operational activities over the last three years of the Notary Office, including: Amount of budget and tax payments; number of notarized and authenticated transactions; other results of the Notary Office's operations;

c) The method of converting the Notary Office must clearly reflect the right to transfer the Notary Office to the notaries of the Notary Office (accompanied by a list of notaries expected to receive the transfer of the Notary Office) or to be auctioned (specifying the expected starting price);

d) Expected solutions for the treatment policies for notaries, other staff members, and workers of the Notary Office; plans for handling assets and surplus funds from various funds established by the Notary Office according to legal regulations and other issues related to the Notary Office;

đ) Number and classification of notarial records of the Notary Office;

e) Estimated costs for implementing the conversion of the Notary Office;

g) Responsibilities of the Department of Justice, relevant departments, and related agencies and organizations in organizing the implementation of the Plan.

3. Within thirty days from the date of receipt of the proposal document from the Department of Justice accompanied by the Plan, the Provincial People's Committee shall issue a decision approving the Plan and send it to the Department of Justice, the Notary Association at the local level, and the Notary Office expected to be converted; in case of rejection, a written notification specifying the reasons must be sent to the agencies and organizations mentioned in this clause.

4. The Department of Justice shall take the lead and coordinate with relevant departments and sectors at the local level to implement the conversion of the Notary Office according to the approved Plan.

Article 10. Method for Converting Notary Offices

1. The right to accept the conversion of a Notary Office shall be transferred to notaries who are currently civil servants of the Notary Office to be converted. The price of the right to accept the conversion of the Notary Office shall be determined as the average amount paid to the state budget and taxes over the last three years of the Notary Office to be converted.

2. In cases where notaries of the Notary Office do not accept the conversion of the Notary Office or do not meet the conditions stipulated in Clause 2, Article 23 of the Notarization Law, the right to accept the conversion of the Notary Office shall be auctioned off. The starting price for the auction shall be the average amount paid to the state budget and taxes over the last three years of the Notary Office. The auction shall be conducted according to the procedures and formalities for selling state assets.

3. The right to accept the conversion of the Notary Office does not include the value of the office premises, equipment, and other assets owned by the State that the Notary Office manages and uses.

Article 11. Decision on Converting Notary Offices

1. The People's Committee of the province shall issue a decision to convert a Notary Office into a Notary Office according to the proposal of the Department of Justice.

2. A Notary Office established from the conversion of a Notary Office shall carry out registration procedures for operation as if it were a newly established Notary Office. The Notary Office being converted shall cease operations at the time the decision to convert the Notary Office into a Notary Office takes effect.

3. A Notary Office established from the conversion of a Notary Office must inherit all rights and obligations in notarial activities and take over all notarial files of that Notary Office.

Article 12. Treatment and Policies for Notaries, Other Civil Servants, and Employees of Converted Notary Offices

1. The resolution of treatment and policies for notaries, other civil servants, and employees of converted Notary Offices shall be implemented in accordance with the provisions of the law on the termination of operations of public service units and related laws.

2. The Department of Justice shall take the lead and coordinate with relevant departments and agencies at the local level to submit to the People's Committee of the province for consideration and decision on the treatment and policies stipulated in Clause 1 of this Article.

Article 13. Handling Assets at Converted Notary Offices

1. The handling of assets belonging to the State managed and used by the Notary Office shall be carried out in accordance with the provisions of the law on the management and use of state assets.

2. The Department of Finance shall take the lead and coordinate with the Department of Justice to submit to the People's Committee of the province for consideration and decision on the handling of assets stipulated in Clause 1 of this Article.

Article 14. Dissolution of Notary Offices

1. Notary Offices that fall under the category of converting to Notary Offices as prescribed by the Notarization Law but cannot be converted shall be dissolved.

2. Notary Offices may only be dissolved after meeting the conditions stipulated in Clause 2, Article 22 of the Notarization Law and resolving treatment and policies for notaries, other civil servants, and employees of the Notary Office as prescribed. The dissolution of Notary Offices shall be carried out in accordance with the Notarization Law, the law on public service units, and related laws.

Article 15. Timeline for completing the conversion and dissolution of Notary Public Offices

1. Based on the financial autonomy level of the Notary Public Office, the timeline for completing the conversion and dissolution of Notary Public Offices in localities shall be implemented as follows:

a) For Notary Public Offices that fully self-finance regular expenses and investment costs: By no later than December 31, 2026;

b) For Notary Public Offices that fully self-finance regular expenses: By no later than December 31, 2027;

c) For Notary Public Offices not covered under points a and b of this clause: By no later than December 31, 2028.

2. The provincial People's Committee shall base its decision on the provisions of the Notarization Law, this Decree, laws on organizational structure, reorganization of public service units, and actual conditions in the locality to decide on the conversion and dissolution of Notary Public Offices in accordance with the timeline stipulated in Clause 1 of this Article.

Article 16. Publishing Information on the Establishment, Conversion, and Dissolution of Notary Public Offices

1. Within five working days from the date the provincial People's Committee issues a decision to establish a Notary Public Office, the Department of Justice must publish information in a central newspaper or a local newspaper where the Notary Public Office is located for three consecutive issues regarding the name, address of the office headquarters; the number, date, month, year of the establishment decision, and the start date of operation of the Notary Public Office.

2. Within five working days from the date the provincial People's Committee issues a decision to change the name or address of the Notary Public Office headquarters, convert the Notary Public Office into a Notary Public Office Corporation, or dissolve the Notary Public Office, the Department of Justice must publish information in a central newspaper or a local newspaper where the Notary Public Office is located for three consecutive issues regarding the content of the change or the conversion and dissolution of the Notary Public Office.

Section 2

NOTARY PUBLIC CORPORATION

Article 17. Notary Public Corporations are organized and operate as private enterprises

1. Based on the criteria stipulated in Clause 1 of Article 23 of the Notarization Law and relevant legal regulations, the provincial People's Committee shall issue a list of district areas eligible to establish Notary Public Corporations organized and operating as private enterprises (hereinafter referred to as Notary Public Corporations as private enterprises) in their locality.

2. Notary Public Corporations as private enterprises may be converted into Notary Public Corporations organized and operating as limited liability partnerships (hereinafter referred to as Notary Public Corporations as limited liability partnerships). Notary Public Corporations as limited liability partnerships cannot be converted back into Notary Public Corporations as private enterprises.

3. The conversion of Notary Public Corporations as private enterprises (hereinafter referred to as Notary Public Corporations to be converted) into Notary Public Corporations as limited liability partnerships (hereinafter referred to as Converted Notary Public Corporations) must meet the following conditions:

a) The Notary Public Corporation to be converted does not fall into the case of temporary suspension of operations or revocation of the establishment permit or revocation of the business registration at the time of requesting conversion;

b) The Director of the Notary Public Corporation to be converted commits in writing to personally bear responsibility with all personal assets for unpaid debts and other financial obligations and to pay off all debts and other financial obligations when due, except in cases where the anticipated limited partners of the Converted Notary Public Corporation have agreed otherwise;

c) The anticipated limited partners of the Converted Notary Public Corporation agree in writing to continue performing ongoing notarization requests; other transactions still being carried out or not yet terminated or canceled; accepting and using current employees of the Notary Public Corporation to be converted;

d) The Converted Notary Public Corporation has its headquarters address within the same commune area as the Notary Public Corporation to be converted.

4. The application dossier for converting Notary Public Corporations as prescribed in Clause 3 of this Article includes the following documents:

a) Application for converting a Notary Public Corporation, clearly stating compliance with the conversion conditions stipulated in Clause 3 of this Article;

b) Appointment decisions of the anticipated limited partner notaries of the Converted Notary Public Corporation; documents proving at least two years of notarization practice for the anticipated director of the Converted Notary Public Corporation;

c) Draft Articles of Association of the Converted Notary Public Corporation;

d) Commitment and agreement documents as prescribed in Clause 3 of this Article. Documents specified in point b of this clause are original or certified copies or electronic copies.

5. The Notary Public Corporation director who is applying for conversion prepares one set of application dossier according to Clause 4 of this Article, submits it directly or through postal services or online via an electronic environment to the Department of Justice where the Notary Public Corporation to be converted has registered its activities.

6. Within five working days from the date of receiving a complete and valid application dossier, the Department of Justice reviews and proposes the provincial People's Committee to approve the conversion of the Notary Public Corporation; if rejected, a written notice with reasons must be provided. Within ten working days from the date of receiving the Department of Justice's proposal and a complete and valid application dossier, the provincial People's Committee reviews and decides on the approval of the conversion of the Notary Public Corporation; if rejected, a written notice with reasons must be provided.

7. Changes to the business registration content, provision of information, and publication of changes to the business registration content of the Converted Notary Public Corporation shall be carried out in accordance with Article 21 and Article 22 of this Decree.

8. The Converted Notary Public Corporation begins operations and inherits the rights and obligations of the Notary Public Corporation to be converted from the date of issuance of the Business Registration Certificate. The Director of the Notary Public Corporation to be converted bears personal responsibility with all personal assets for all debts arising before the Converted Notary Public Corporation receives the Business Registration Certificate, except in cases where the limited partners of the Converted Notary Public Corporation have agreed otherwise.

Article 18. Conditions for the Office Premises of Notary Offices

1. The notary office must meet the following conditions regarding office premises:

a) Having a specific address within administrative boundaries;

b) Having a minimum working area of 8 square meters for each notary public and a minimum storage area of 50 square meters; ensuring fire prevention and explosion protection conditions and file storage conditions according to the provisions of the law;

c) In cases where the premises are rented, the minimum lease term shall be two years.

2. The notary public proposing to establish a notary office shall clearly state information about the office premises of the proposed notary office in the project to establish a notary office; submit documents proving compliance with the conditions for office premises at the time of registering the operation of the notary office.

Article 19. Documents, Procedures, and Formalities for Establishing a Notary Office

1. The documents for establishing a notary office include the following papers:

a) Project to establish a notary office, which clearly states the necessity of establishment, organizational structure, name, personnel, location of the office premises, material conditions, and implementation plan for the project to establish a notary office; value and capital contribution ratio, determining the capital contribution period before the notary office submits the registration application for a notary office under the partnership company model; information on the investment capital of the head of the notary office under the private enterprise model;

b) Appointment decision of the general partners and draft Articles of Association of the notary office for a notary office under the partnership company model; appointment decision of the notary public expected to serve as the head of the notary office for a notary office under the private enterprise model;

c) Documents proving that the notary public expected to serve as the head of the notary office has been practicing notarization for at least two years.

The documents specified in points b and c of this clause are original or certified copies or electronic copies.

The draft Articles of Association of the notary office specified in point b of this clause includes the following main contents: Name, address of the office premises of the notary office; full name and contact address of the general partners; total registered capital, contributed assets, value and contribution ratio of the general partners; rights and obligations of the general partners; organizational structure of the notary office, rights and obligations of the head of the notary office and other general partners; wage and income distribution principles; dispute resolution principles; procedures for amending and supplementing the Articles of Association.

2. A notary public meeting the conditions stipulated in Article 24 of the Notarization Law shall prepare one set of documents as prescribed in Clause 1 of this Article, submit directly or through postal services or online via an electronic environment to the Department of Justice at the location where the notary office is expected to be established.

3. Within five working days from the date of receiving complete and valid documents, the Department of Justice shall issue a document to the People's Committee of the province for examination and decision; in case of rejection, it must notify in writing with clear reasons.

Within ten working days from the date of receiving the request document from the Department of Justice and complete and valid documents, the People's Committee of the province shall examine and decide to allow the establishment of a notary office; in case of rejection, it must notify in writing with clear reasons.

In cases where the information in the documents for establishing a notary office is incomplete or inconsistent, the Department of Justice or the People's Committee of the province may require the applicant to supplement and clarify the information. The deadline specified in this clause is calculated from the date the Department of Justice or the People's Committee of the province receives the results of the supplementary and clarified information.

Article 20. Documents, procedures, and formalities for registering the operation of Notary Offices

1. The documents for registering the operation of a Notary Office include the following papers:

a) A request for registration of operations according to the form prescribed by the Minister of Justice;

b) Papers proving the office premises of the Notary Office in accordance with the content stated in the project for establishing the Notary Office;

c) Papers proving that the named notaries have contributed capital in accordance with the provisions of the Enterprise Law for a Notary Office organized as a limited liability company; papers proving the investment capital of the Director of the Notary Office for a Notary Office organized as a private enterprise; labor contracts and appointment decisions of notaries working under a labor contract system (if any); two 2cm x 3cm photographs of each notary.

The documents specified in points b and c of this clause are original or certified copies or electronic copies.

2. A Notary Office registering its operation in accordance with Article 25 of the Notarization Law shall prepare one set of documents as stipulated in Clause 1 of this Article, submit directly or through postal services or online on an electronic environment to the Department of Justice at the local place where the decision allowing establishment of the Notary Office was issued.

3. Within five working days from the date of receiving complete and valid documents, the Department of Justice shall examine and issue a business registration certificate for the Notary Office and issue a notary card to the notaries of the Notary Office; in case of refusal, it must notify in writing stating the reasons.

Article 21. Documents, procedures, and formalities for changing the registered content of the operation of a Notary Office, reissuing the business registration certificate of a Notary Office

1. The documents for changing the registered content of the operation of a Notary Office include the following papers:

a) A request for changing the registered content according to the form prescribed by the Minister of Justice;

b) Papers proving the content of the change requested; in case of adding a named notary, there must be papers proving that the required capital contribution has been fully paid and two 2cm x 3cm photographs of the added notary.

The papers specified in point b of this clause are original or certified copies or electronic copies.

2. A Notary Office falling within the scope prescribed in Clause 1 of Article 26 of the Notarization Law shall prepare one set of documents as stipulated in Clause 1 of this Article, submit directly or through postal services or online on an electronic environment to the Department of Justice where the Notary Office is registered.

Within five working days from the date of receiving complete and valid documents, the Department of Justice shall reissue the business registration certificate or record the changed content in the business registration certificate of the Notary Office, simultaneously issue a notary card to the added notary, revoke the notary card of the notary who is no longer practicing at the Notary Office, or reissue the notary card in case the Notary Office changes its name; in case of refusal, it must notify in writing stating the reasons.

3. The documents for requesting reissuance of the business registration certificate of a Notary Office include the following papers:

a) A request for reissuance of the business registration certificate of the Notary Office, specifying the reason for requesting reissuance;

b) The original business registration certificate of the Notary Office in case the business registration certificate is damaged.

4. A Notary Office losing or damaging the business registration certificate as prescribed in Clause 3 of Article 26 of the Notarization Law shall prepare one set of documents as stipulated in Clause 3 of this Article, submit directly or through postal services or online on an electronic environment to the Department of Justice where the Notary Office is registered.

Within five working days from the date of receiving complete and valid documents, the Department of Justice shall reissue the business registration certificate for the Notary Office; in case of refusal, it must notify in writing stating the reasons.

Article 22. Provision of information on the content of registration for activities, changes to the content of registration for activities, suspension of activities of Notary Offices; publication of the content of registration for activities of Notary Offices

1. Within five working days from the date of issuance, reissuance of the activity registration certificate of the Notary Office, issuance of the decision to suspend operations or the decision to terminate the suspension of operations of the Notary Office, the Department of Justice must notify in writing the business registration agency, tax authority, statistical agency, provincial public security agency, and the People's Committee of the commune where the Notary Office is located.

The Department of Justice updates the information specified in this clause into the Ministry of Justice's software for managing notarization activities, and simultaneously publishes on the Department of Justice's electronic portal on the day it implements the procedures specified in this clause.

2. Within five working days from the date of issuance, reissuance of the activity registration certificate, the Notary Office must publish in a central newspaper or local newspaper where the activity is registered for three consecutive issues the following contents:

a) Name and address of the Notary Office's headquarters;

b) Full name and appointment decision number of the notary public practicing at the Notary Office;

c) Number, date, month, year of issuance, reissuance of the activity registration certificate, place of registration, and the start date of operations of the Notary Office.

Article 23. Documents, Procedures, and Formalities for the Merger of Notary Offices under Partnership Company Form

1. The application documents for the merger of Notary Offices under partnership company form include the following papers:

a) The merger agreement of Notary Offices, which includes the following main contents: Names and addresses of the headquarters of the Notary Offices being merged; name and address of the headquarters of the merged Notary Office; list of partner notaries and notaries working under labor contracts in the Notary Offices being merged; time of implementation of the merger; quantity and classification of notarized documents of the Notary Offices being merged; plan for transferring assets of the Notary Offices being merged to the merged Notary Office; labor utilization plan of the merged Notary Office; succession of all rights and obligations of the Notary Offices being merged and other related contents.

Each Notary Office being merged appoints one partner notary to represent and sign the merger agreement;

b) Tax declarations and financial reports for the last three years that have been audited of the Notary Offices being merged.

The papers specified in point b of this clause are original or certified copies or electronic copies.

2. The Notary Office applying for merger according to Clause 1 of Article 29 of the Notarization Law shall prepare one set of documents as stipulated in Clause 1 of this Article, submit directly or through postal service or online via an electronic environment to the Department of Justice where the activity is registered.

Within five working days from the date of receiving complete valid documents, the Department of Justice shall issue a document to the Provincial People's Committee for consideration and decision; in case of refusal, a written notification with clear reasons must be provided.

Within ten working days from the date of receiving the Department of Justice's request document along with complete valid documents, the Provincial People's Committee shall consider and decide to allow the merger of the Notary Office; in case of refusal, a written notification with clear reasons must be provided.

3. The registration documents for the merged Notary Office include the following papers:

a) Application for registration of the merged Notary Office according to the form prescribed by the Minister of Justice;

b) Papers proving the conditions regarding the headquarters of the merged Notary Office as stipulated in Article 18 of this Decree;

c) Notary cards of the notaries of the merged Notary Office.

The papers specified in point b of this clause are original or certified copies or electronic copies.

4. Based on the decision allowing the merger by the Provincial People's Committee, the merged Notary Office shall prepare one set of documents as stipulated in Clause 3 of this Article, submit directly or through postal service or online via an electronic environment to the Department of Justice where the Notary Office is located.

Within five working days from the date of receiving complete valid documents, the Department of Justice shall issue the activity registration certificate for the merged Notary Office, revoke the activity registration certificates of the Notary Offices being merged, and simultaneously issue notary cards for the notaries of the merged Notary Office; in case of refusal, a written notification with clear reasons must be provided.

The Notary Offices being merged may continue to operate but shall not accept new notarization requests until the merged Notary Office receives its activity registration certificate. The merged Notary Office succeeds all rights, obligations, and ongoing notarization requests from the Notary Offices being merged and is responsible for storing all notarization files of the Notary Offices being merged.

5. The provision of information and publication of the content of registration for activities of the merged Notary Office shall be carried out in accordance with the provisions of Article 22 of this Decree.

Article 24. Documents, procedures, and formalities for merging Notary Offices under the partnership company model

1. The application documents for merging Notary Offices under the partnership company model shall include the following papers:

a) The merger contract of Notary Offices, which includes the main contents as follows: Names and addresses of the headquarters of the Notary Offices to be merged; name and address of the Notary Office receiving the merger; list of general partners notaries and notaries working under labor contracts at the Notary Offices to be merged; quantity and classification of notarization files of the Notary Offices to be merged; time of implementation of the merger; human resource utilization plan of the Notary Office receiving the merger; asset transfer plan from the Notary Offices to be merged to the Notary Office receiving the merger; succession of all rights, obligations, and legitimate interests of the Notary Offices to be merged and other related contents.

Each Notary Office to be merged and receiving the merger shall appoint one general partner notary to sign the merger contract.

b) Tax declarations and financial reports audited in the last three years of the Notary Offices to be merged.

The papers specified in point b of this clause are original or certified copies or electronic copies.

2. The Notary Office proposing the merger in accordance with Clause 1 of Article 29 of the Notarization Law shall prepare one set of documents in accordance with Clause 1 of this Article and submit them directly, through postal services, or online on an electronic environment to the Department of Justice where it is registered to operate.

Within five working days from the date of receipt of complete and valid documents, the Department of Justice shall issue a document to present to the People's Committee of the province for consideration and decision; in case of refusal, a written notice must be issued stating the reasons.

Within ten working days from the date of receipt of the request document from the Department of Justice accompanied by complete and valid documents, the People's Committee of the province shall consider and decide on allowing the merger of the Notary Office; in case of refusal, a written notice must be issued stating the reasons.

3. The application documents for changing the registration content of the Notary Office receiving the merger shall include the following papers:

a) An application form for changing the registration content of the Notary Office receiving the merger according to the model prescribed by the Minister of Justice;

b) Papers proving the conditions of the headquarters of the Notary Office receiving the merger as stipulated in Article 18 of this Decree;

c) Notary cards of the notaries of the Notary Offices to be merged.

The papers specified in point b of this clause are original or certified copies or electronic copies.

4. Based on the Decision allowing the merger by the People's Committee of the province, the Notary Office receiving the merger shall prepare one set of documents in accordance with Clause 3 of this Article and submit them directly, through postal services, or online on an electronic environment to the Department of Justice where it is registered to operate.

Within five working days from the date of receipt of complete and valid documents, the Department of Justice shall reissue or record the changed content in the registration certificate of the Notary Office receiving the merger, revoke the registration certificate of the Notary Office to be merged, and simultaneously issue notary cards for new notaries of the Notary Office receiving the merger; in case of refusal, a written notice must be issued stating the reasons.

5. The Notary Offices to be merged may continue to operate but shall not accept new notarization requests until the Notary Office receiving the merger has changed its registration content. The Notary Office receiving the merger shall succeed all rights, obligations, and ongoing notarization requests at the Notary Offices to be merged and shall be responsible for storing all notarization files of the Notary Offices to be merged.

6. The provision of information and publication of the registration content of the Notary Office receiving the merger shall be carried out in accordance with Article 22 of this Decree.

Article 25. Transfer of the entire capital contribution of all general partners of a Notary Office

1. The application dossier for transferring the entire capital contribution of all general partners of a Notary Office, as stipulated in Article 30 of the Notarization Law, shall include the following documents:

a) A share transfer agreement, which includes the following main contents: the name and address of the Notary Office where the notary general partners transferring the entire capital contribution are practicing (hereinafter referred to as the Notary Office transferring capital contributions); the names and appointment decision numbers of the notary general partners transferring and receiving the capital contributions; the transfer price and payment method; the handover of the Notary Office transferring capital contributions; the quantity and classification of notarized file archives and current assets of the Notary Office transferring capital contributions; the rights and obligations of the parties, clearly stating the full succession of rights and obligations, acceptance of ongoing notarization requests and files of the Notary Office transferring capital contributions;

The share transfer agreement must be signed by all notary general partners transferring capital contributions and the notary general partners receiving capital contributions;

b) Tax declarations and financial reports for the last three years that have been audited of the Notary Office transferring capital contributions;

c) Appointment decisions of the notary general partners receiving capital contributions; documents proving that the notary general partners receiving capital contributions meet the conditions stipulated in Clause 2 of Article 30 of the Notarization Law.

The documents specified in points b and c of this clause are original or certified copies or electronic copies.

2. The dossier prescribed in Clause 1 of this Article shall be established in one set and submitted directly or through postal services or online on an electronic environment to the Department of Justice where the Notary Office has registered its operations.

Within five working days from the date of receiving complete valid documents, the Department of Justice shall issue a document to the Provincial People's Committee for consideration and decision; in case of refusal, a written notification with clear reasons must be provided.

Within ten working days from the date of receipt of the request document of the Department of Justice accompanied by a valid dossier, the People's Committee of the province shall examine and decide to allow the transfer of the entire capital contribution of all general partners of the Notary Office; in case of refusal, it must notify in writing with clear reasons stated.

3. The application dossier for changing the registration content of the Notary Office receiving capital contributions includes the following documents:

a) An application form for changing the registration content of the Notary Office receiving capital contributions according to the model prescribed by the Minister of Justice;

b) Documents proving the conditions regarding the office premises of the Notary Office receiving capital contributions as stipulated in Article 18 of this Decree;

The papers specified in point b of this clause are original or certified copies or electronic copies.

4. The notary general partners receiving capital contributions shall establish one set of dossier according to the provisions of Clause 3 of this Article and submit it directly or through postal services or online on an electronic environment to the Department of Justice where the Notary Office has registered its operations.

Within five working days from the date of receipt of a complete and valid dossier, the Department of Justice shall reissue the business registration certificate for the Notary Office receiving capital contributions, revoke the business registration certificate of the Notary Office transferring capital contributions, and at the same time issue notary certificates for the notaries of the Notary Office receiving capital contributions; in case of refusal, it must notify in writing with clear reasons stated.

5. The Notary Office transferring capital contributions may continue to operate but shall not accept new notarization requests until the Notary Office receiving capital contributions has been reissued a business registration certificate.

6. The provision of information and publication of changes in the registration content of the Notary Office receiving capital contributions shall be carried out in accordance with the provisions of Article 22 of this Decree.

Article 26. Sale of Notary Office under the form of a private enterprise

1. The dossier for selling a Notary Office under the form of a private enterprise as prescribed in Article 31 of the Notarization Law shall include the following documents:

a) A sale contract for the Notary Office, which includes the following main contents: Name and address of the Notary Office's headquarters; name and appointment decision number of the Notary Office Director and notaries working under labor contracts at the Notary Office (if any); name and appointment decision number of the purchasing notary; selling price, payment method; transfer of the Notary Office; quantity and classification of notarized file archives and current assets of the Notary Office; rights and obligations of the parties, including the clear statement on the inheritance of all rights and obligations, acceptance of ongoing notarization requests and files of the Notary Office.

b) Tax declaration and financial reports audited in the last three years of the Notary Office to be sold;

c) Appointment decision of the purchasing notary; documents proving that the purchasing notary meets the conditions stipulated in Clause 2, Article 31 of the Notarization Law.

Documents prescribed in points b and c of this clause shall be original or certified copies or electronic copies.

2. The dossier prescribed in Clause 1 of this Article shall be established in one set and submitted directly or through postal services or online on an electronic environment to the Department of Justice where the Notary Office has registered its operations.

Within five working days from the date of receiving complete valid documents, the Department of Justice shall issue a document to the Provincial People's Committee for consideration and decision; in case of refusal, a written notification with clear reasons must be provided.

Within ten working days from the date of receiving the request letter of the Department of Justice accompanied by a valid dossier, the Provincial People's Committee shall examine and decide on allowing the sale of the Notary Office; in case of refusal, it must notify in writing with detailed reasons.

3. The dossier for requesting changes in the registration of the Notary Office's activities after sale shall include the following documents:

a) A request form for changing the registration of the Notary Office's activities according to the model prescribed by the Minister of Justice;

b) Documents proving the conditions regarding the office premises of the Notary Office as prescribed in Article 18 of this Decree.

The papers specified in point b of this clause are original or certified copies or electronic copies.

4. The purchasing notary shall prepare one set of dossier in accordance with Clause 3 of this Article, submit directly or through postal service or online via electronic environment to the Department of Justice where the Notary Office has registered its activities.

Within five working days from the date of receiving a complete and valid dossier, the Department of Justice shall reissue the business registration certificate for the Notary Office, revoke the old business registration certificate of the Notary Office, and simultaneously issue a notary card for the purchasing notary; in case of refusal, it must notify in writing with detailed reasons.

5. The Notary Office after sale shall continue to operate but shall not accept new notarization requests until it receives the reissued business registration certificate.

6. The provision of information and publication of the registration content of the Notary Office after sale shall be carried out in accordance with Article 22 of this Decree.

Article 27. Termination of Notary Office Activities

1. A Notary Office terminating its activities as prescribed in point a, Clause 1, Article 34 of the Notarization Law shall have the obligation to publish in central or local newspapers in three consecutive issues about the expected termination date; it shall not accept new notarization requests from the date of submitting a report to the Department of Justice on the planned termination of activities.

Within five working days from the date of revoking the business registration certificate of the Notary Office, the Department of Justice shall have the responsibility to notify in writing to the agencies prescribed in Article 22 of this Decree about the termination of the Notary Office's activities, and simultaneously publish in central or local newspapers in three consecutive issues about the termination of the Notary Office's activities.

2. In cases where a Notary Office terminates its activities as prescribed in point b, Clause 1, Article 34 of the Notarization Law, the Department of Justice shall notify in writing to the Notary Office about stopping the acceptance of new notarization requests from the date when the Department of Justice sends a request letter to the Provincial People's Committee to revoke the establishment permit decision. Within five working days from the date of receiving the request from the Department of Justice, the Provincial People's Committee shall decide to revoke the establishment permit decision of the Notary Office; in case of refusal, it must notify in writing with detailed reasons.

Chapter IV

PRACTICE OF NOTARIES

Section 1

PROFESSIONAL LIABILITY INSURANCE OF NOTARIES

Article 28. Scope of Insurance and Exclusions from Liability

1. The insurance enterprise shall compensate the notary practice organization for the amount of money that the notary practice organization is responsible for compensating to the person requesting notarization and other individuals or organizations (hereinafter referred to as the damaged party) due to the fault of its notary officer during the process of performing notarization, except for the cases stipulated in Clause 2 of this Article.

2. The insurance enterprise shall not be liable for insurance compensation in the following cases:

a) Damage caused by the intentional fault of the notary officer during the notarization process; due to the notary officer violating the provisions on prohibited acts as prescribed by the Notarization Law;

b) Damage caused by the notary officer performing notarization during the period when the notary officer is temporarily suspended from practicing notarization or the notary practice organization is temporarily suspended from operating;

c) Other cases agreed upon between the notary practice organization and the insurance enterprise (if any).

Article 29. Insurance Period

1. The minimum insurance period is five years from the date the insurance contract becomes effective.

2. The notary practice organization and the insurance enterprise may agree on the insurance period, but it must not be shorter than the minimum insurance period prescribed in Clause 1 of this Article.

Article 30. Insurance Premium and Obligation to Purchase Insurance

1. The notary practice organization and the insurance enterprise may agree on the level of insurance premium, but it must not be lower than three million VND per year for each notary officer.

The reassessment of risk levels to adjust the insurance premium during the insurance period can only be carried out if the notary practice organization and the insurance enterprise have agreed and clearly recorded in the insurance contract.

2. The notary practice organization has the obligation to purchase professional liability insurance for its notary officers no later than sixty days from the date the notary officer receives the notary officer card.

3. The funds for purchasing professional liability insurance for notary officers of the Notary Office shall be deducted from the Development Fund of the Notary Office's Public Service Activities; in case the Development Fund of Public Service Activities does not have sufficient capacity to pay or the Notary Office is guaranteed regular funding by the State, then the funds for purchasing professional liability insurance for notary officers shall be included in the regular expenses of the Notary Office.

The funds for purchasing professional liability insurance for notary officers of the Notary Office shall be included in the operational costs of the Notary Office.

Article 31. Minimum Insurance Amount

1. The minimum insurance amount is four hundred million VND and must be clearly specified in the insurance contract.

2. The minimum deductible amount is two million VND per insurance compensation case and must be clearly specified in the insurance contract.

3. The insurance enterprise and the insurance buyer may agree on the insurance amount and deductible amount, but they must not be lower than the amounts prescribed in Clauses 1 and 2 of this Article.

Article 32. Principles of Insurance Compensation

1. Within the scope of insurance liability, the insurance enterprise must compensate the notary practice organization for the amount of money that the notary practice organization has compensated or will have to compensate to the damaged party.

2. In cases where there is an agreement on advance compensation, the advance compensation shall be carried out according to such agreement.

3. In cases where the claim for insurance compensation occurs when the notary officer is no longer practicing at the notary practice organization responsible for compensating the damage, the insurance enterprise still bears the responsibility to compensate for the damage if the notary officer and the notary practice organization meet the following conditions:

a) The notary officer is currently practicing at another notary practice organization and is insured by that organization;

b) The notary practice organization responsible for compensating the damage is insured with an insurance enterprise.

In this case, the insurance enterprise providing the insurance contract to the notary practice organization where the notary officer is currently practicing shall bear the responsibility to compensate for the damage.

Article 33. Responsibilities of Notary Public Organizations and Insurance Enterprises

1. When there is a request or decision from the competent authority regarding compensation for damages, the notary public organization shall have the following responsibilities:

a) Immediately notify the insurance enterprise;

b) Proactively collect and provide to the insurance enterprise all documents in the insurance compensation file in accordance with Article 35 of this Decree;

c) Create favorable conditions for the insurance enterprise during the process of verifying the documents provided by itself.

2. Upon receiving the notification from the notary public organization about the insurance compensation claim, the insurance enterprise must guide the notary public organization to prepare the claim file and procedures; closely cooperate with the notary public organization and related parties to determine the cause and extent of damage as the basis for resolving insurance compensation.

Article 34. Insurance Contract

1. The insurance contract between the notary public organization and the insurance enterprise becomes effective from the moment it is signed, stamped by both parties, and the notary public organization pays the insurance premium, except where the parties have agreed otherwise.

2. The insurance contract must clearly define the scope of insurance, the term of insurance, the insurance premium rate, the amount of insurance, the rights and obligations of the parties, and other agreements (if any).

3. The insurance contract ceases to be effective from the time the notary public organization decides to dissolve, has its registration for operation revoked, or in other cases as agreed between the notary public organization and the insurance enterprise.

The insurance enterprise is responsible for refunding the insurance premium that the notary public organization has paid corresponding to the remaining term of the insurance contract, except where the parties have agreed otherwise.

Article 35. Insurance Compensation File

1. The insurance compensation file includes the following documents:

a) Document requesting insurance compensation;

b) Insurance contract;

c) Documents proving damage;

d) Decision of the Court (if any).

2. The documents proving damage specified in point c Clause 1 of this Article include the following papers:

a) Invoices, valid vouchers, or evidence proving damage;

b) Mediation record between the notary public organization and the person suffering damage (if any);

c) Other relevant papers and documents (if any).

Section 2

PROFESSIONAL AND SOCIAL ORGANIZATIONS OF NOTARIES

Article 36. Notary Association

1. The Notary Associations of provinces and centrally-run cities are provincial-level professional and social organizations of notaries practicing in their respective areas in accordance with Clause 1 of Article 41 of the Notarization Law.

The Notary Association is organized and operates on the principles of self-management, transparency, non-profit, and self-responsibility for operational funds in compliance with the Notarization Law, this Decree, and the Charter of the Vietnam Notary Association. The Notary Association has legal personality, its own seal, and separate account.

2. The organization and operation of the Notary Association are subject to the management of the provincial People's Committee and guidance from the Vietnam Notary Association. The Notary Association may not issue resolutions, decisions, internal regulations, fee regulations, revenue provisions, and other regulations contrary to the law and the Charter of the Vietnam Notary Association.

The Department of Justice takes the lead and coordinates with the Department of Home Affairs to assist the provincial People's Committee in managing the organization and activities of the Notary Association locally.

3. Members of the Notary Association are notaries practicing in the locality. Notaries must join the Notary Association before practicing at a notary public organization in that locality.

The rights and obligations of members of the Notary Association are stipulated in the Charter of the Vietnam Notary Association.

Article 37. The organs of the Notary Association

1. The General Assembly of Notaries is the highest governing body of the Notary Association.

2. The Executive Board of the Notary Association is the executive organ of the General Assembly of Notaries, elected by the General Assembly of Notaries.

3. The Reward and Disciplinary Council of the Notary Association is elected by the General Assembly of Notaries for the term of the Executive Board of the Notary Association.

4. Other organs as prescribed in the Charter of the Vietnam Notary Association.

Article 38. Duties and powers of the Notary Association

1. To represent and protect the legitimate rights and interests of members in their practice according to the Charter of the Vietnam Notary Association and the provisions of the law.

2. To admit and expel members; to reward and discipline members; to resolve complaints and denunciations according to the Charter of the Vietnam Notary Association.

3. To supervise members in compliance with laws on notarization, the Code of Professional Ethics for Notaries, and the Charter of the Vietnam Notary Association.

4. To organize annual professional training for members in appropriate ways.

5. To implement resolutions, decisions, and regulations of the Vietnam Notary Association and competent state management agencies.

6. To comply with inspections and audits by competent authorities and supervision by the Vietnam Notary Association.

7. To participate in domestic and international cooperation activities in notarization according to the law.

8. Other duties and powers as prescribed in this Decree, relevant laws, and the Charter of the Vietnam Notary Association.

Article 39. The Vietnam Notary Association

1. The Vietnam Notary Association is a nationwide occupational organization of Vietnamese notaries as stipulated in Clause 1 of Article 41 of the Notarization Law.

The Vietnam Notary Association operates under the principles of self-management, transparency, non-profit, and responsibility for its operational expenses in accordance with the Notarization Law and this Decree. The Vietnam Notary Association has legal personality, its own seal, and separate account.

2. The activities of the Vietnam Notary Association are subject to state management by the Ministry of Justice, the Ministry of Home Affairs, and other competent state management agencies as prescribed by law.

3. Members of the Vietnam Notary Association include Notary Associations and individual notaries.

Rights and obligations of members of the Vietnam Notary Association are prescribed in the Charter of the Vietnam Notary Association in accordance with the Notarization Law, this Decree, and relevant laws.

Article 40. Organs of the Vietnam Notary Association

1. The National Congress of Notaries is the highest governing body of the Vietnam Notary Association.

2. The National Notary Council is the leadership organ of the Vietnam Notary Association between two sessions of the National Congress of Notaries.

3. The Standing Committee of the Vietnam Notary Association is the administrative organ of the Vietnam Notary Association between two meetings of the National Notary Council.

4. Other organs as prescribed in the Charter of the Vietnam Notary Association.

5. Specific duties and powers of the organs prescribed in Clauses 1, 2, 3, and 4 of this Article are prescribed in the Charter of the Vietnam Notary Association.

Article 41. Tasks and Authorities of the Vietnam Notary Association

1. Representing and protecting the legitimate rights and interests of members in accordance with the Statutes of the Vietnam Notary Association and the provisions of the law.

2. Admitting and expelling members; rewarding and disciplining members; resolving complaints and denunciations in accordance with the Statutes of the Vietnam Notary Association.

3. Issuing the Code of Ethics for Notarial Practice; supervising members in their compliance with the Code of Ethics for Notarial Practice and the laws on notarization.

4. Providing professional guidance to members; annually training members in notarial practice in accordance with the law.

5. Cooperating with the Ministry of Justice in organizing training and apprenticeship for notarial practice in accordance with the law; participating in building, disseminating, popularizing, and educating the law.

6. Establishing a Compensation Fund based on the principle of voluntary participation to support compensation for damages caused by the fault of member notaries during the course of notarial practice when the professional liability insurance of the member is insufficient to cover such compensation; implementing the use and management of the Compensation Fund in accordance with the law.

7. Implementing international cooperation activities in notarization in accordance with the law.

8. Inspecting and supervising the implementation of the Statutes of the Vietnam Notary Association; suspending the enforcement and requesting amendments or revocation of resolutions, decisions, and regulations of the Notary Association that contravene the Statutes of the Vietnam Notary Association; recommending competent state agencies to suspend the enforcement and request amendments or revocation of resolutions, decisions, and regulations of the Notary Association that contravene the law.

9. Reporting to the Ministry of Justice on the draft plan for the National Congress term, extraordinary congress, personnel plans, and the results of the Congress; implementing regular annual reporting or other reports as required by the Ministry of Justice.

10. Other tasks and authorities as prescribed by law and the Statutes of the Vietnam Notary Association.

Article 42. Statutes of the Vietnam Notary Association

1. Based on the provisions of the Notarization Law and this Decree, the National Congress of Notaries shall adopt the Statutes of the Vietnam Notary Association.

The Statutes of the Vietnam Notary Association shall be uniformly applied to the Vietnam Notary Association and the Notary Associations.

2. The Statutes of the Vietnam Notary Association include the following main contents:

a) The mission, purpose, and emblem of the Vietnam Notary Association;

b) The rights and obligations of members of the Vietnam Notary Association;

c) The relationship between the Vietnam Notary Association and the Notary Associations;

d) Procedures for joining, withdrawing from the list of members of the Notary Associations, and excluding membership status;

đ) Term of office, organizational structure, election procedures, removal, dismissal, tasks, and authorities of the bodies of the Vietnam Notary Association and the Notary Associations;

e) The coordination relationship among Notary Associations in performing tasks and authorities as prescribed;

g) Structure, tasks, and authorities of the National Congress of Notaries, the General Congress of Notaries of the Notary Associations; procedures and formalities for convening the Congress of the Vietnam Notary Association and the Notary Associations;

h) The issuance of internal regulations of the Notary Associations;

i) Financial matters of the Vietnam Notary Association and the Notary Associations;

k) Rewarding and disciplining members and resolving complaints and denunciations;

l) Reporting obligations of the Vietnam Notary Association and the Notary Associations;

m) Relations with other agencies and organizations.

3. Within ten working days from the date the Statutes are adopted by the National Congress of Notaries, the National Council of Notaries shall prepare one set of files to request approval of the Statutes, to be submitted directly or through postal services or online via electronic environment to the Ministry of Justice.

a) Application for recognition of equivalence of notary vocational training (Form TP-CC-01);

a) A document requesting the Minister of Justice to approve the Statutes, clearly stating the main content of the draft Statutes;

b) Draft Charter;

c) The resolution of the National Congress of Notaries on the adoption of the Statutes.

Within thirty days from the date of receiving complete valid files, the Minister of Justice shall issue a decision approving the Statutes after obtaining the unified opinion of the Minister of Home Affairs; in case of refusal, a written notification must be issued specifying the reasons. The time limit specified in this clause does not include the time limit for obtaining the unified opinion of the Minister of Home Affairs on the draft Statutes.

4. The Statutes of the Vietnam Notary Association shall be refused approval in the following cases:

a) Containing content contrary to the Constitution and laws;

b) The process and procedure for adopting the Statutes do not ensure legality, democracy, transparency, and openness as prescribed by law.

5. In case the Statutes of the Vietnam Notary Association are refused approval, the National Council of Notaries must amend the content of the Statutes or organize another Congress to adopt the Statutes in accordance with the law.

Within ten working days from the date the amended and supplemented Statutes are adopted, the National Council of Notaries shall submit the amended and supplemented Statutes to the Ministry of Justice for examination and approval. The approval of the amended and supplemented Statutes shall be carried out in accordance with the provisions of this Article.

6. The Statutes of the Vietnam Notary Association shall take effect from the date of approval.

Chapter V

NOTARIZATION PROCEDURES, NOTARIAL DATA,

STORAGE OF NOTARIAL FILES

Section 1

GENERAL PROCEDURES AND NOTARIZATION PROCEDURES

SOME SPECIFIC TRANSACTIONS

Article 43. Other Legitimate Reasons for Notarization Outside the Office of the Notary Organization

1. Other legitimate reasons for notarization outside the office of the notary organization as stipulated in point d, Clause 2, Article 46 of the Notarization Law include the following cases:

a) Pregnant women or women nursing children under 12 months old;

b) Elderly people, disabled persons, or those with difficulties in traveling;

c) Persons performing duties in the People's Public Security Force, the People's Army, or individuals holding positions or carrying out assigned tasks at their workplaces that would be affected if they left their posts;

d) Cases of force majeure or objective obstacles preventing the person requesting notarization from reaching the notary organization.

2. Notarization outside the office must be conducted at a specific location suitable for the legitimate reason for conducting notarization outside the office.

Article 44. Procedure for Announcing the Acceptance of Notarization of Documents Dividing Inherited Property

1. The announcement regarding the acceptance of notarization of documents dividing inherited property must be posted for a period of 15 days from the date of posting.

2. The posting shall be carried out at the office of the People's Committee of the commune where the decedent last resided permanently; in case the place of permanent residence cannot be determined, the posting shall be carried out at the office of the People's Committee of the commune where the decedent last resided temporarily.

If the place of permanent residence or temporary residence of the decedent is not in Vietnam, the posting shall be carried out at the office of the People's Committee of the commune where the decedent last resided permanently or temporarily in Vietnam; in case the decedent does not have or cannot determine the place of permanent or temporary residence in Vietnam, the notary organization shall send a request to the Department of Justice where it is located to post the announcement on its electronic portal. Within three working days from the date of receipt of the request from the notary organization, the Department of Justice must carry out the posting according to this provision.

3. In cases where the inherited property includes both immovable and movable assets or only immovable assets, the posting shall be carried out according to this Article, Clause 2, and at the office of the People's Committee of the commune where the immovable asset is located.

4. In cases where the office of the notary organization and the place of permanent or temporary residence of the decedent are not in the same province or centrally-administered city, the notary organization may send a request to the People's Committee of the commune where the decedent last resided permanently or temporarily to carry out the posting.

5. The content of the posting announcement shall include: the name of the decedent and the heirs; the inheritance relationship between the heirs and the decedent; the list of inherited assets; and it must clearly state that if there are complaints or reports about the omission or concealment of heirs or inherited assets not belonging to the decedent, such complaints or reports shall be sent to the notary organization that accepted the request for notarization of the document dividing inherited property and notified to the People's Committee of the commune where the posting was carried out.

6. The People's Committee of the commune where the posting is carried out shall be responsible for preserving the posting announcement during the posting period, shall not require other documents when receiving a request for posting; shall issue a confirmation document regarding the time and results of the posting and send it to the notary organization that requested the posting within three working days from the end of the posting period. In cases where the posting announcement is published according to this Article, Clause 2, the Department of Justice shall notify the notary organization of the publication results within three working days from the end of the 15-day publication period.

In cases where the notary organization receives complaints or reports after receiving the confirmation document from the People's Committee of the commune regarding the time and results of the posting but before the notarization of the document dividing inherited property, the notary officer must suspend the notarization process to handle the information according to regulations.

Article 45. Announcing a Will Kept at a Notary Organization

1. Upon receiving a request to announce a will, the notary organization keeping the will shall assign a notary public from its own organization to carry out the announcement of the will, except in cases where the testator has designated another notary public currently practicing at that notary organization to announce the will.

2. The person requesting the announcement of the will must be an heir of the testator, must present documents proving that the testator has died and their relationship with the testator; provide information related to the will being kept (if any) and bear costs related to the announcement of the will.

3. The procedure for announcing a will through a public meeting shall be conducted as follows:

a) If the will is established in a foreign language, it must be translated into Vietnamese and the translator's signature must be certified before the announcement;

b) The notary public shall post according to the time limit and procedures stipulated in Article 44 of this Decree to identify those persons related to the contents of the will, including heirs, estate managers, estate worship managers (if any), and those with rights and obligations mentioned in the will;

c) At least five working days before organizing the meeting to announce the will, the notary public shall notify in writing those persons related to the contents of the will about the time and place of the meeting;

d) The meeting shall be held at the office of the notary organization with the direct presence or online participation of those persons identified according to the provisions of point b clause 3; if notified persons do not attend, the meeting shall still proceed according to the time and place already announced;

đ) The notary public reads the entire content of the will aloud to the participants of the meeting, provides information and answers questions from the participants related to the storage of the will;

e) The notary public sends copies of the will to all persons related to the contents of the will, including those who have been notified but did not attend the meeting;

Copies of the will must be certified and stamped by the notary organization regarding the copy from the file of the will kept; the person receiving the copy of the will has the right to request comparison with the original of the will;

g) At the end of the meeting, the original of the will is handed over by the notary public to the person designated in the will or in the receipt of the will storage to keep the original; in case the testator does not designate, the meeting participants unanimously designate one person to keep the original of the will;

h) The meeting is recorded in minutes and kept in the file of the will storage.

4. The procedure for announcing a will without a public meeting shall be conducted as follows:

a) The notary public performs the tasks stipulated in points a and b of clause 3 of this Article;

b) The notary public sends copies of the will to those persons related to the announcement of the will. Copies of the will must be certified and stamped by the notary organization regarding the copy from the file of the will kept.

Within five working days from the date of sending copies of the will, if there is no feedback from those persons related to the contents of the will, the notary public shall hand over the original of the will to the person designated in the will or the person designated in the receipt of the will storage; in case the testator does not designate, the heirs under the will shall unanimously designate one person to keep the original of the will;

c) The person receiving the copy of the will has the right to request comparison with the original of the will or to request provision of information related to the storage of the will.

5. The file of announcing a will must be kept in the file of the will storage, including the following types of documents:

a) Identity documents of persons participating in the public meeting in accordance with clause 3 of this Article;

b) Death certificate or other documents prescribed by law proving that the testator has died;

c) Receipt of will storage;

d) File of posting in accordance with the provisions of point b clause 3 of this Article;

d) Other related documents.

Article 46. Photographing Notaries Witnessing the Signing of Notarized Documents

1. The act of photographing notaries witnessing the signing of notarized documents as stipulated in Clause 1 of Article 50 of the Notary Law shall be carried out in accordance with this Article, except where otherwise provided by law. The photographs must meet the following requirements:

a) Identifying the person signing the notarized document and the notary conducting the notarization;

b) Clear, sharp, and not prone to fading or smudging; no cutting, editing, adding, or removing details or backgrounds;

c) Printed in color or black and white on A4 paper; if specialized photo printing paper is used, the minimum size of the photograph must be 13cm x 18cm.

2. In cases where affixing fingerprints is performed instead of signing, the act of photographing notaries witnessing the affixing of fingerprints shall also be carried out in accordance with this Article.

3. In cases where there are witnesses or interpreters involved in the notarization process, the act of photographing these individuals signing or affixing fingerprints under the witness of the notary shall be carried out in accordance with this Article.

4. In cases where multiple parties sign notarized documents at the same time and place, photographs may be taken of each individual signing before the witness of the notary, or a group photograph of all signatories before the witness of the notary may be taken; the photographs must comply with the requirements set forth in this Article.

In cases where multiple parties sign notarized documents at different times or places, photographs of the signatories witnessed by the notary at corresponding times or places shall be taken; the photographs must comply with the requirements set forth in this Article.

5. Photographs are part of the notarial file and can only be stored and used in accordance with the laws governing the storage of notarial files.

6. If the party requesting notarization and the notary deem it necessary, video recording of the process of the parties participating in the transaction signing the notarized document may be conducted; visual materials are part of the notarial file and can only be stored and used in accordance with the laws governing the storage of notarial files.

7. The provisions regarding photography set forth in this Article apply to the electronic notarization process as stipulated in Section 2 of this Chapter.

Section 2

ELECTRONIC NOTARIZATION

Article 47. Electronic Notarized Documents

1. Electronic notarized documents are created directly in an electronic environment according to the direct or online electronic notarization procedures prescribed in the Notary Law, this Decree, and the laws on electronic transactions.

Paper notarized documents converted into electronic form in accordance with the Notary Law and the laws on electronic transactions, bearing the digital signature of the notary and the organization practicing notarization, are considered electronic notarized documents.

2. Electronic notarized documents must have a QR code, hyperlink, serial number, or other unique identifier for reference and verification of authenticity.

3. The act of digitally signing electronic notarized documents by transaction participants, witnesses, or interpreters must be done under the witness of the notary, except when the authorized person has registered a sample signature in accordance with Clause 2 of Article 50 of the Notary Law.

4. The pagination of electronic notarized documents shall be carried out in accordance with Clause 1 of Article 51 of the Notary Law.

5. Technical errors in electronic notarized documents must be corrected by creating a page containing the technical error correction content, signed digitally by the notary and the organization practicing notarization. The technical error correction document must be attached to the electronic notarized document and must appear together with the electronic notarized document when referenced.

6. Amendments, supplements, termination, or cancellation of electronically notarized transactions shall be carried out in accordance with Clause 1 of Article 53 of the Notary Law. The amendment, supplement, termination, or cancellation document must be attached to the electronic notarized document and must appear together with the electronic notarized document when referenced.

Article 48. Scope of transactions subject to electronic notarization

1. Direct electronic notarization shall be applied to all civil transactions.

2. Online electronic notarization shall be applied to civil transactions, except for wills and other unilateral civil acts.

3. Diplomatic missions shall perform electronic notarization on transactions as prescribed in Clause 1, Article 73 of the Notarization Law.

Article 49. Conditions for providing electronic notarization services

1. The account for performing electronic notarization (hereinafter referred to as the electronic notarization service provision account) of notaries, notary practice organizations, diplomatic officials, and diplomatic missions must be established on an electronic notarization platform in accordance with the provisions of Article 51 of this Decree and relevant laws.

2. The digital signature of notaries, notary practice organizations, diplomatic officials, and diplomatic missions using time-stamping services for electronic notarization shall be provided by a trusted service provider in Vietnam in accordance with Vietnamese law.

Notaries and notary practice organizations must register their digital signatures for electronic notarization at the Department of Justice where the notary practice organization is registered to operate.

3. Notary practice organizations providing electronic notarization services must ensure conditions regarding computers, network connections, electronic devices, and other necessary conditions.

4. The provision of electronic notarization services at diplomatic missions shall be carried out based on the actual conditions of such diplomatic missions.

Article 50. Conditions for using electronic notarization services

1. Participants in electronic notarization transactions shall use public digital signatures provided by a trusted service provider of public key infrastructure in Vietnam in accordance with Vietnamese law, or foreign digital signatures and digital signature certificates recognized in Vietnam, except where otherwise stipulated by law.

2. Organizations and individuals participating in electronic notarization transactions may register an account to use electronic notarization services on an electronic notarization platform or be authenticated to issue a digital signature certificate through the VNeID application or another application at the time of participation in the transaction to synchronize accounts and issue digital signature certificates in accordance with the law. Notaries and notary practice organizations have the obligation to guide organizations and individuals in registering accounts to use electronic notarization services and comply with relevant legal regulations.

Article 51. Electronic notarization platform and data reference gateway

1. An electronic notarization platform is an information system established in an electronic environment that allows parties to provide, use, and implement electronic notarization services in accordance with the law on notarization and electronic transactions, meeting the following conditions:

a) Having solutions and technologies using electronic identity accounts at a minimum level 2 for individuals and electronic identity accounts for organizations as prescribed by law on electronic identification and authentication;

b) When providing online electronic notarization services, having solutions and technologies to authenticate electronic identity accounts at level 2 or higher as prescribed by law on electronic identification and authentication;

c) Having solutions and technologies to collect, support verification and comparison, ensuring that the electronic copies in the electronic notarization dossier are complete, accurate, and consistent with the original according to the law;

d) Having video call solutions and technologies to support notaries interacting with participants in transactions and supporting the capture and storage of images of participants signing notarized documents;

e) Connecting to the local notarization database where the notary practice organization operates to provide real-time updates to the notarization database;

f) Using digital signature software meeting the requirements of the law on digital signatures and trusted services.

2. The data reference gateway for notarization is the official access point for referencing notarized document texts and other notarization data as prescribed by law.

3. The notarization database, electronic notarization platform, and data reference gateway for notarization must meet the minimum information system security standards at level 3 as prescribed by law on cybersecurity.

4. Notary practice organizations using the electronic notarization platform and exploiting the notarization database must pay costs in accordance with the law.

Article 52. Direct Electronic Notarization Process

1. The person requesting notarization and the notary public shall perform tasks as prescribed in Clause 1 and Clause 2 of Article 43 of the Notarization Law.

2. A direct electronic notarization transaction initiated by the notary public must include the account of the notary public and the accounts of the parties involved in the notarization transaction (if any).

3. The notary public uploads to the electronic notarization platform the transaction document that has been drafted in data message form or the transaction document that has been digitally signed by the authorized party to conclude the transaction as prescribed in Clause 2 of Article 50 of the Notarization Law.

4. The person requesting notarization reads the transaction document on the electronic notarization platform or the notary public reads it aloud upon request of the person requesting notarization.

5. If the person requesting notarization agrees with all contents in the draft transaction, they present the documents as prescribed in Clause 7 of Article 42 of the Notarization Law for the notary public to compare.

The notary public checks the documents presented by the person requesting notarization, compares the information on the documents with the database (if available). After verification, if the documents ensure authenticity, the notary public converts all documents presented by the person requesting notarization into data messages and uploads them to the electronic notarization platform for storage.

6. The notary public identifies and authenticates the identity of the transaction participants, then witnesses the digital signature of the transaction participants on the transaction document.

7. The notary public verifies the legality of the digital signatures made by the transaction participants, then signs, timestamps the certification statement.

8. The notary practice organization records the number of the notarized document, signs, timestamps, collects notarization fees, service charges related to notarization (hereinafter referred to as service charges) and other related costs, then sends the electronic notarized document to the person requesting notarization at the email address or storage method registered by the person requesting notarization.

9. The notary practice organization enters the notarization book, establishes and stores the electronic notarization file.

Article 53. Online Electronic Notarization Process

1. The person requesting notarization and the notary public shall perform tasks as prescribed in Clause 1 and Clause 2 of Article 43 of the Notarization Law.

2. The notary public of the notary practice organization meeting the requirements of Article 44 of the Notarization Law initiates an online electronic notarization transaction including the accounts of the notary publics and the accounts of the transaction participants (if any), sets up a video conference link between the notary publics at different locations.

3. The initiating notary public uploads to the electronic notarization platform the transaction document that has been drafted in data message form or the transaction document that has been digitally signed by the authorized party to conclude the transaction as prescribed in Clause 2 of Article 50 of the Notarization Law.

4. The person requesting notarization reads the transaction document on the electronic notarization platform or the notary public reads it aloud upon request of the person requesting notarization.

5. If the person requesting notarization agrees with all contents in the draft transaction, they present the documents as prescribed in Clause 7 of Article 42 of the Notarization Law for the notary public to compare.

The notary public checks the documents presented by the person requesting notarization, compares the information on the documents with the database (if available). After verification, if the documents ensure authenticity, the notary public converts all documents presented by the person requesting notarization into data messages and uploads them to the electronic notarization platform for comparison by the notary publics and transaction participants at different locations.

6. The notary public identifies, authenticates the identity of the transaction participants and the legality and authenticity of the transaction, then witnesses the digital signature of the transaction participants on the transaction document.

7. The notary publics at different locations verify the validity of the digital signatures made by the transaction participants before their witnessing, sign confirmation on the transaction document with their digital signatures. The initiating notary public verifies the validity of the digital signatures of all transaction participants and the notary publics at different locations who have signed, then signs, timestamps the certification statement.

8. The notary practice organization where the transaction was initiated records the number of the notarized document, signs, timestamps; collects notarization fees, service charges and other related costs; sends the electronic notarized document to the person requesting notarization at the email address or storage method registered by the person requesting notarization.

9. The notary practice organization enters the notarization book, establishes and stores the electronic notarization file, shares access rights to the notarized document with the notary publics and notary practice organizations at other locations that have participated in certifying the transaction.

Article 54. Responsibilities of Notary Organizations and Notaries Performing Online Electronic Notarization

1. Notary organizations providing electronic notarization services shall be liable for compensation for damages caused by the fault of notaries or employees of their organization according to the provisions of Article 40 of the Notarization Law.

2. The initiating notary and the notaries at agreed locations shall agree in writing on the scope of work; the portion of notarization fees, service charges, other costs to be received; liability for compensation for damages of each notary; and other related issues (if any).

Section 3

NOTARY DATABASE

Article 55. Updating, Exploiting, and Using the Notary Database

1. The collection, exploitation, and use of information in the notary database must comply with the provisions of laws on personal data protection, privacy, personal secrets, family secrets, the Notarization Law, and other relevant laws.

2. Regulations on managing, updating, exploiting, using, and sharing the notary database of the Ministry of Justice or localities as stipulated in Clause 2 and Clause 3 of Article 66 of the Notarization Law must clearly define the responsibilities of individuals, agencies, and organizations involved in updating information, exploiting, using, and sharing the database and the costs of exploitation and use.

Article 56. Connecting, Sharing, and Providing Notary Information and Data

1. The sharing and provision of information in the notary database of the Ministry of Justice with relevant ministries, sectors, and localities for state management and administrative procedures shall be carried out according to the Government's regulations on managing, connecting, and sharing digital data of state agencies, laws on data, and electronic transactions.

2. The notary database of the Ministry of Justice shall be connected and shared with the national integrated database, the national population database, the land, housing, tax databases, and other related databases. The connection and sharing shall be carried out according to the provisions of laws on data and electronic transactions.

1. The Ministry of Justice shall guide the content of data and common technical requirements for synchronizing local notary databases with the notary database of the Ministry of Justice.

2. Provincial People's Committees shall direct the construction and upgrading of local notary databases with complete basic information in accordance with technical requirements guided by the Ministry of Justice.

3. The synchronization of data includes the following contents:

a) Determining mandatory data to be synchronized including: Information as prescribed in Clause 2 of Article 66 of the Notarization Law; notarized document information and other electronic notarization data that can be referenced at the Notarization Data Reference Portal according to the law;

b) Determining the synchronization time;

c) Determining the responsibility for implementing synchronization.

4. The data synchronization process shall be carried out through the following steps:

a) Information within completed notarization files in the local notary database according to the notarization business process;

b) The local notary database automatically synchronizes data to the notary database of the Ministry of Justice through technical connection standards;

c) The local notary database receives the return results.

Section 4

STORAGE OF NOTARIAL FILES

Article 58. Archiving Notarized Documents for Notary Practice Organizations Subject to Dissolution or Termination of Operations

1. The agreement or designation of a notary practice organization to accept notarized documents from a notary practice organization subject to dissolution or termination of operations shall be carried out in accordance with the provisions of Clause 5, Article 68 of the Notarization Law.

2. In cases where a notary practice organization subject to dissolution or termination of operations has a large number of notarized documents that cannot be agreed upon or designated to another notary practice organization to accept, the Department of Justice shall coordinate with the Notary Association to examine and permit agreements or designations of several notary practice organizations to accept such notarized documents. The notarized documents to be transferred must be listed in a specific inventory; the transfer of documents must be recorded in a protocol witnessed by representatives of the Department of Justice and the local Notary Association.

3. A notary practice organization subject to dissolution or termination of operations must pay archiving costs for notarized documents to the accepting organization according to the level agreed upon by both parties; if no agreement can be reached, the Department of Justice shall coordinate with the Department of Finance to examine and decide.

4. If a notary practice organization subject to dissolution or termination of operations is unable to pay the archiving costs for notarized documents, these costs shall be guaranteed by the local budget. The Department of Justice shall take the lead and coordinate with the Department of Finance to report to the Provincial People's Committee for examination and decision on this amount.

Article 59. Conversion of Paper Notarized Documents to Electronic Storage

1. Notary practice organizations must convert paper notarized documents into data messages for electronic storage for notarization transactions conducted from July 1, 2025. Notarized documents completed before July 1, 2025 shall be converted and stored electronically according to the operational requirements of the notary practice organization managing those documents.

2. After being converted into data messages, notarized documents must ensure accuracy of content compared to paper notarized documents and must be confirmed by digital signatures by the notary practice organization prior to storage; the retention period shall be implemented in accordance with the provisions of Clause 2, Article 68 of the Notarization Law.

3. For paper notarized documents that have been converted into data messages for electronic storage, the retention period specified in Clause 2, Article 68 of the Notarization Law applies to original or true copies of notarized documents and other paper components; non-original or true copies of paper components shall have a minimum retention period of five years.

Article 60. Electronic Notarized Documents

1. Electronic notarized documents include electronic notarized documents and other documents as stipulated in Clause 1, Article 67 of the Notarization Law.

2. Electronic notarized documents shall be numbered in chronological order consistent with the execution of electronic notarized documents.

3. Electronic notarized documents must be synchronized in real-time to the notarization database for long-term storage, serving inspection, supervision, and interconnection sharing with competent authorities, ensuring information security at level 3 or higher.

Article 61. Storage of electronic notarization files and verification of electronic notarized documents

1. Electronic notarization files shall be stored in the form of data messages.

2. The responsibility for storing electronic notarization files shall be carried out in accordance with the provisions of Article 68 of the Notarization Law. In cases of online electronic notarization, the notary organization initiating the transaction shall be responsible for storing the electronic notarization files, performing technical corrections, modifying, supplementing, terminating, canceling transactions, providing copies of notarized documents and notarization files.

3. Notary organizations must ensure that electronic notarized documents can be referenced upon request from competent state agencies, notaries who have performed notarization, parties to the transaction, or interested parties when there is consent from the parties to the transaction.

Chapter VI

STATE MANAGEMENT OF NOTARIZATION

Article 62. Responsibilities of the Ministry of Justice and relevant ministries and ministerial-level agencies

1. The Ministry of Justice is responsible before the Government for managing notarization nationwide, with the following tasks and powers:

a) Issuing or submitting to competent state agencies for issuance of normative legal documents on notarization;

b) Building and submitting to the Government for issuance of strategies for the development of the notarization sector;

c) Reviewing, updating, and posting transactions required to be notarized or certified on the Ministry of Justice's electronic portal;

d) Promoting and disseminating laws on notarization and strategies for the development of the notarization sector;

đ) Appointing, reappointing, and removing notaries;

e) Guiding localities in drafting management and development plans for notary organizations; leading and coordinating with relevant ministries and sectors to guide and manage the activities of notaries and notary organizations nationwide;

g) Approving the Charter of the Vietnam Notary Association after reaching consensus with the Ministry of Home Affairs; suspending the implementation and requiring amendments to resolutions, decisions, regulations, and professional ethics rules issued by the Vietnam Notary Association that contravene the Notarization Law and related laws; implementing other state management tasks concerning the Vietnam Notary Association;

h) Inspecting, handling complaints and denunciations, and dealing with violations in notarization activities within their authority;

i) Managing and implementing international cooperation in notarization activities;

l) Other tasks and powers as prescribed by the Notarization Law, this Decree, and related laws.

2. The Ministry of Foreign Affairs leads and coordinates with the Ministry of Justice in guiding, inspecting, and handling complaints and denunciations within their authority regarding the implementation of notarization by diplomatic missions; organizing training for diplomats assigned to perform notarization; annually reporting to the Ministry of Justice on the notarization activities of diplomatic missions. Diplomats assigned to perform notarization according to Clause 1 and Clause 3 of Article 73 of the Notarization Law shall carry out notarization procedures as stipulated in Chapter V of this Decree.

3. The Ministry of Finance leads and coordinates with the Ministry of Justice to establish regulations on the collection, payment, management, and use of notarization fees; fees for certifying true copies from original documents, certifying signatures on documents and papers, and certifying the signature of translators; fees for assessing qualifications and conditions for practicing notarization for candidates undergoing internship evaluations, for appointing and reappointing notaries; fees for issuing and reissuing notary office registration certificates; fees for issuing and reissuing notary licenses, and guiding the implementation of regulations on professional liability insurance for notaries as prescribed by laws on insurance business and this Decree.

4. Ministries and ministerial-level agencies, within the scope of their functions, tasks, and powers, shall be responsible for coordinating with the Ministry of Justice to implement state management of notarization.

Article 63. Responsibilities of the Provincial People's Committee

1. The Provincial People's Committee shall implement state management over notarization at the local level and perform the following tasks and powers:

a) Organizing the implementation, dissemination, and popularization of laws on notarization and strategies for developing the notarization sector;

b) Issuing and implementing projects to manage and develop notary offices at the local level in accordance with the Notarization Law and the government's development strategy for the notarization sector; deciding measures to support the establishment of notary offices in districts with difficult socio-economic conditions in accordance with the actual situation at the local level and relevant laws;

c) Deciding on the establishment of new notary offices in accordance with the Notarization Law, ensuring material bases and other working conditions for notary offices; deciding on the transformation, dissolution of notary offices in accordance with the Notarization Law, this Decree, and relevant laws;

d) Deciding on the establishment, revocation of decisions to establish notary offices, permission to merge, consolidate, transform, transfer shares, sell notary offices in accordance with the Notarization Law, this Decree, and relevant laws;

e) Issuing maximum service fees for services related to notarization at the local level;

f) Considering and deciding to transfer authority to certify transactions to notary offices in districts where at least one notary office has been established for two years or more and is operating stably and effectively at the time of the decision; notary offices are reasonably distributed, facilitating individuals and organizations requiring notarization services at the local level;

g) State management over the Notary Association at the local level;

h) Inspecting, supervising, resolving complaints and denunciations, and handling violations related to notarization within their jurisdiction;

i) Reporting to the Ministry of Justice on notarization activities at the local level annually or as required;

j) Adjusting the list of areas for establishing notary offices in the form of private enterprises, and transferring authority to certify transactions to notary offices at the local level when there are changes in local administrative organization as decided by competent authorities;

l) Other tasks and powers as prescribed by the Notarization Law, this Decree, and relevant laws.

2. The Department of Justice shall be responsible for assisting the Provincial People's Committee in implementing state management over notarization at the local level, performing tasks and powers as prescribed by the Notarization Law, this Decree, and relevant laws.

Chapter VII

IMPLEMENTING PROVISIONS

Article 64. Amendment, Supplement, and Application of Relevant Legal Provisions

1. Amend and supplement Clause 4 of Article 5 of Government Decree No. 23/2015/NĐ-CP dated February 16, 2015, on issuing certified copies from original books, certifying copies from originals, certifying signatures, and certifying contracts and transactions as follows:

"4. Notaries have the authority and responsibility to certify matters specified in points a, b, and c of Clause 1 of this Article, sign the certification, and stamp the notary office or notary office (hereinafter referred to collectively as the notary practice organization)."

2. Standards, conditions, and procedures for registering sample signatures of translation collaborators of notary practice organizations shall be implemented in accordance with Articles 28 and 29 of Government Decree No. 23/2015/NĐ-CP dated February 16, 2015.

3. Procedures for certifying the signature of translators who are collaborators of notary practice organizations shall be carried out in accordance with Article 31 of Government Decree No. 23/2015/NĐ-CP dated February 16, 2015.

Article 65. Effective Date

1. This Decree takes effect from July 1, 2025.

2. This Decree replaces Decree No. 29/2015/NĐ-CP dated March 15, 2015 of the Government detailing and guiding the implementation of certain provisions of the Notarization Law.

Article 66. Transitional Provisions

1. Notary offices established before the effective date of this Decree that have not yet developed their Articles of Organization must develop them in accordance with point c, Clause 1, Article 19 of this Decree. Within three months from the effective date of this Decree, the Notary Office shall submit directly or through postal services or online via electronic environment to the Department of Justice at the place of registration a notification letter accompanied by one copy of its Articles of Organization. Within ten working days from the date of receiving complete and valid documents, the Department of Justice shall issue a notification letter to the Notary Office confirming that the Notary Office has fulfilled its obligation to develop the Articles of Organization; if the Articles of Organization of the Notary Office do not meet all the requirements stipulated in point c, Clause 1, Article 19 of this Decree, the Department of Justice shall issue a letter requesting the Notary Office to amend and supplement the Articles of Organization and resubmit them to the Department of Justice within ten working days from the date of receipt of the Department's letter.

2. Notary offices established before the effective date of this Decree that have not met the conditions regarding office premises as prescribed in this Decree may continue to operate; however, if these Notary Offices change their office premises, they must meet the conditions regarding office premises as prescribed in Articles 8 and 18 of this Decree.

3. After local authorities are restructured into a two-level administrative system, the district-level area specified in Clause 1, Article 17, point b and point e, Clause 1, Article 63 of this Decree shall be replaced by a commune-level area meeting the criteria and conditions set forth in the Notarization Law and relevant laws./.