Vietnamese Passport Renewal & Name Change

[ttram312 10]

Hi everyone,

 

My Vietnamese passport will expire in April 2019. I have 2-year GC and going through ROC at the moment. I am traveling back to Vietnam this December. I have couple questions regarding the process of renewal:

    

1. I changed my last name when I got married, and it reflected on my GC and marriage certificate. Do I have to change my name when renew for the passport? If so, will they change it officially on the passport or will the make a note of it on the passport? (I read couple threads on VJ and it seems like they won't let you have non-Vietnamese name on your passport...)

 

2. What is the fee for renewing passport? They didn't list the fee on the website and I got mixed result while doing google search. In my experience of applying visa for my husband last year, they're never clear on the fee (I got 5 different answers when calling them back then). 

 

3. Should I renew my passport after my trip this December? I bought the plane ticket under my maiden name because it's the same name on my passport. I'm not sure if there's any issue traveling with a near-expired passport. 

 

4. Do I need a valid passport to apply for US citizenship? I can file N400 in May 2019. If I don't need one, maybe I just won't file for a new passport at all. 

[Korruptor 4]

1. They will not change your name on your passport, they will only make a notation of your married name on it.

 

2. Last I remember, the fee is between 100 to 120 or so. Not too sure about it.

 

3. They will not let you fly with a passport with less than 6 months til  expiration. But since you are flying back with a vietnamese passport, I assume it should be ok.

 

4. I don't believe you need a passport to apply for N-400.

[ttram312 10]

Thank you. I'll probably renew my passport soon to be on the safe side. I'm just fretting over dealing with the embassy/consulate here. 

[VNN 147]

On 8/15/2018 at 9:46 AM, ttram312 said:

Hi everyone,

 

My Vietnamese passport will expire in April 2019. I have 2-year GC and going through ROC at the moment. I am traveling back to Vietnam this December. I have couple questions regarding the process of renewal:

    

1. I changed my last name when I got married, and it reflected on my GC and marriage certificate. Do I have to change my name when renew for the passport? If so, will they change it officially on the passport or will the make a note of it on the passport? (I read couple threads on VJ and it seems like they won't let you have non-Vietnamese name on your passport...)

 

2. What is the fee for renewing passport? They didn't list the fee on the website and I got mixed result while doing google search. In my experience of applying visa for my husband last year, they're never clear on the fee (I got 5 different answers when calling them back then). 

 

3. Should I renew my passport after my trip this December? I bought the plane ticket under my maiden name because it's the same name on my passport. I'm not sure if there's any issue traveling with a near-expired passport. 

 

4. Do I need a valid passport to apply for US citizenship? I can file N400 in May 2019. If I don't need one, maybe I just won't file for a new passport at all. 

1. VN Passport has additional which are used to make notes like name changes, info corrections, etc and as you will renew not making the new one so there is high chance that your name will not be changed.

 

2.

• You should do it while you are in Vietnam, the cost is very cheap ( less than $20)  and it is quite simple (well assuming you obtain it from a not-so-corrupted place).  To renew VN passport from US, it is $150 (shipping/return shipping)

• For the visa, doing it yourself is not cheaper than some airfare travel agency (it should be $90-$110). Just ask to help you with Visa, you do not need to book ticket from them.  

3.  Renew it to ease of mind and for urgent travel 

 

4. No, passport is not needed for N-400

 

 

 

[ttram312 10]

21 minutes ago, RTLE said:

1. VN Passport has additional which are used to make notes like name changes, info corrections, etc and as you will renew not making the new one so there is high chance that your name will not be changed.

 

2.

• You should do it while you are in Vietnam, the cost is very cheap ( less than $20)  and it is quite simple (well assuming you obtain it from a not-so-corrupted place).  To renew VN passport from US, it is $150 (shipping/return shipping)

• For the visa, doing it yourself is not cheaper than some airfare travel agency (it should be $90-$110). Just ask to help you with Visa, you do not need to book ticket from them.  

3.  Renew it to ease of mind and for urgent travel 

 

4. No, passport is not needed for N-400

 

 

 

Thank you for your response. I actually sent in my passport last week. I don't want to do it in Vietnam because I'll only be there for 2 weeks and just afraid that the new one won't be ready in time. 

 

So here is my story trying to ask how much the fee was: I called Washington DC embassy and no one ever picked up the phone. I called consulate in NY City and got told to call back in an hour. I called back in an hour and the lady basically yelled at me "Told you to call back tomorrow, why are you calling now?" Since I can't even get a response to the renewal fee, I don't even trust them with my passport. I call consulate in San Francisco and the lady told me the fee right away ($170). I sent my passport in last week and keep my finger crossed that it won't get messed up.   

[VNN 147]

2 minutes ago, ttram312 said:

Thank you for your response. I actually sent in my passport last week. I don't want to do it in Vietnam because I'll only be there for 2 weeks and just afraid that the new one won't be ready in time. 

 

So here is my story trying to ask how much the fee was: I called Washington DC embassy and no one ever picked up the phone. I called consulate in NY City and got told to call back in an hour. I called back in an hour and the lady basically yelled at me "Told you to call back tomorrow, why are you calling now?" Since I can't even get a response to the renewal fee, I don't even trust them with my passport. I call consulate in San Francisco and the lady told me the fee right away ($170). I sent my passport in last week and keep my finger crossed that it won't get messed up.   

Yes, that what I experienced when I helped my cousin renewed his passport  Vietnam Consulate people are very lazy (I think they only work a few hours per week).  In Vietnam, as long as you play with the system, you can get your passport in a few days   (not a good thing but sometimes one has no choice but follow their unwritten rules).