Passport · Consular
Renewing a Vietnamese passport in the U.S.: what you need to know
Many clients ask KPN how to "renew" a Vietnamese passport while living in the United States. Here are the rules currently in force under the 2019 Law on Exit and Entry of Vietnamese Citizens (Law No. 49/2019/QH14, as amended by Law No. 23/2023/QH15):
1. Regular passports cannot be extended
Under Clause 2, Article 7 of Law No. 49/2019/QH14:
- Passports issued to persons aged 14 and older are valid for 10 years.
- Passports issued to children under 14 are valid for 5 years.
- Neither can be extended.
So a "renewal" is in fact an application for a new passport.
2. Where to apply
Under Article 16 of Law No. 49/2019/QH14, Vietnamese citizens abroad apply at the Vietnamese mission in the country where they reside. Texas residents apply at the Consulate General of Vietnam in Houston.
3. Documents to prepare
Please prepare the following:
- The application form and 2 portrait photos.
- Your old Vietnamese passport or another Vietnam-issued ID.
- Without Vietnamese documents: a foreign-issued ID plus proof of Vietnamese nationality.
- Children under 14: also a copy of the birth certificate or birth certificate extract.
4. Processing time
Under Article 16 of Law No. 49/2019/QH14:
- First passport: 5 working days.
- Second passport onward: 3 working days.
- Cases needing verification: agencies in Vietnam have up to 15 more days to respond, and the passport is then issued within 2 working days.
KPN’s commitment
This applies to every type of passport file: first-time, renewal, replacement of a lost passport, and passports for U.S.-born children. Once KPN receives your complete, valid file, you receive your passport at home within 2–3 days, delivered to all 50 states. Files that require verification under Article 16 may take longer.
5. Lost passports
Under Article 28 of Law No. 49/2019/QH14, you must report the loss within 48 hours of discovering it. Abroad, report it to the Vietnamese mission.
6. New passport format
Since August 15, 2023, Vietnamese passports include the holder’s place of birth, under Law No. 23/2023/QH15.
KPN helps you complete the form, review your documents and file your Vietnamese passport application: first-time, renewal, replacement of a lost passport, and passports for U.S.-born children. Free consultations from 9:00 AM to midnight, every day.
Need personal advice?
This article provides general information on Vietnamese law as of the date of publication and is not a substitute for advice on your specific situation. Ken Phuc Nguyen is an attorney-at-law in Vietnam and a Foreign Legal Consultant certified by the Supreme Court of Texas; he advises only on the laws of Vietnam, not on Texas or U.S. law.