How much does intercountry adoption cost in Vietnam? It is the first question most families ask — and the answer goes well beyond state fees. This article gives a complete cost inventory: registration fees under Circular 267/2016/TT-BTC for 5 applicant categories, the 50% reduction/exemption cases under Decree 114/2016/ND-CP, and every ancillary cost families should budget for during the ~115-day process.
State fees: rates for 5 categories
Under Circular 267/2016/TT-BTC:
| Category | Fee |
|---|---|
| Domestic adoption | VND 400,000 |
| Foreigners / overseas Vietnamese adopting | VND 9,000,000 |
| Foreigners residing in Vietnam adopting | VND 4,500,000 |
| Adoption in border areas | VND 4,500,000 |
| Registration at Vietnamese missions abroad | USD 150 |
Fees are paid to the Department of Justice where the adoption is registered, at the time of filing.
Reductions and exemptions
Article 4 of Decree 114/2016/ND-CP provides:
- 50% reduction for: step-parents adopting a spouse’s child; paternal/maternal aunts and uncles adopting nephews/nieces; second and subsequent adoptions where the children are biological siblings.
- Exemption for re-registration of adoption.
To claim the reduction/exemption, submit proof of relationship (birth certificates, marriage certificates, etc.) with the dossier.
Ancillary costs: the part families overlook
State fees are only a fraction. Ancillary costs include:
1. Health checks: both adopters and the child need health certificates. Foreigners usually need examinations at designated facilities, with costs varying by country of residence.
2. Criminal records: criminal-record clearances for adopters (in Vietnam and/or abroad). Foreign clearances cost fees plus waiting time.
3. Translation and consular legalization: all foreign documents must be translated into Vietnamese, notarized and consular-legalized — a dossier can run to dozens of pages, charged per page.
4. Travel and accommodation: the ~115-day process involves multiple in-person sessions at the Department of Justice; applicants abroad must budget flights and stays.
5. Economic and housing conditions: the law requires adopters to be at least 20 years older than the child and to have adequate health, finances and housing (Arts. 28–29, Law on Adoption 52/2010) — conditions to evidence, not fees, but families must prepare for them.
Total budgeting and key notes
Adding up: VND 4.5–9 million (or USD 150) in fees + translation/legalization + health checks + criminal records + travel/stays. The real total is many times the state fee — budget for the whole 115-day journey from the start.
Two important notes:
- Domestic substitute families take priority: Art. 15.2 of the Law on Adoption 52/2010 prioritizes finding domestic substitute families — intercountry adoption is considered only when no domestic solution is found.
- No service-fee assumptions: this article excludes service fees of foreign adoption agencies (if any), which follow separate regulations.
Frequently asked questions
Q: Where and when are fees paid?
A: At the Department of Justice registering the adoption, when the dossier is filed.
Q: Adopting two biological siblings — is the reduction available for both?
A: Under Art. 4 of Decree 114/2016, the 50% reduction for second and subsequent adoptions of biological siblings applies from the second child onward.
Q: Which documents need translation?
A: All documents issued by foreign authorities (criminal records, health certificates, income confirmations, etc.) must be translated into Vietnamese, notarized and consular-legalized.
Legal bases
- Law on Adoption 52/2010/QH12; Decree 19/2011/ND-CP (amended by Decree 24/2019/ND-CP): Arts. 15, 28, 29.
- Circular 267/2016/TT-BTC: adoption registration fee rates.
- Decree 114/2016/ND-CP: Art. 4 (fee reduction/exemption).
Fee figures checked against Circular 267/2016 at the time of writing (14/10/2026). General information only; contact your local Department of Justice for specific cases.
Further reading
Adoption procedures: Domestic vs. intercountry adoption in Vietnam.
Transparency note: This article was prepared and content-reviewed by the FLAW AI Legal Council; it has not been reviewed by a human lawyer. It is general information only and does not replace legal advice for your specific situation.
Need guidance on adoption procedures? Contact FLAT Law Firm via our contact page.
This article has been reviewed by the QA Council.
