This information is detailed in a draft circular by the Minister of Public Security, which stipulates the use of forms, management, exploitation of criminal record databases, and procedures for issuing criminal record certificates and information. The draft is currently open for public comment.

The draft proposes that criminal record information for Vietnamese citizens and foreigners aged 16 or older will be simultaneously displayed on VNeID, starting from 1/7, upon the initial issuance of an electronic certificate. Any subsequent criminal record information will be automatically updated to the individual's personal account.

The content of the electronic certificate displayed on VNeID includes: general information about criminal status, the last data update time, and detailed criminal status corresponding to the contents of each type of criminal record certificate.

Specifically, detailed criminal status information for a type 1 criminal record certificate will automatically display. However, information for a type 2 criminal record certificate will only display when the individual enters a 6-digit passcode on VNeID.

Current law stipulates that criminal record information includes: criminal records regarding convictions, and criminal records concerning prohibitions from holding positions, establishing, or managing enterprises and cooperatives.

VNeID application interface. Photo: Pham Du

To view criminal record information displayed on VNeID, citizens must use a level 2 identification account. The draft states, "The display of criminal record information on VNeID must ensure proper authority, network information security, and personal data protection in accordance with legal regulations."

If approved, this initiative will mark a new development, representing the first time criminal record information is displayed on VNeID.

According to the draft, citizens, agencies, and organizations have the right to request the competent authority to correct, revoke, or cancel criminal record certificates or information already provided, or information displayed on VNeID. If inaccuracies are found in criminal record information on VNeID, the issuing agency must review, verify, and update the new information.

Individuals can also request criminal record certificates via VNeID. The draft stipulates that authorities will accept online requests for criminal record certificates from individuals via the National Public Service Portal or VNeID.

Those without an electronic identification account can request certificates directly at the headquarters of the competent authority or through postal services.

Provincial police will issue certificates to Vietnamese citizens, stateless persons, and foreigners residing in Vietnam. The Criminal Records Department under the Ministry of Public Security will issue certificates to Vietnamese citizens whose place of residence cannot be determined, and to foreigners who previously resided in Vietnam.

Certificates can be returned directly, via postal service, email, or VNeID. The Ministry of Public Security notes that if certificates are returned via postal service, the privacy of citizens must be ensured, and close coordination with public postal service providers is necessary to deliver the correct certificate to the applicant.

The Minister of Public Security plans to assign the Criminal Records Department to lead and coordinate with relevant units to research and propose solutions for connecting and sharing information and technical solutions. This aims to facilitate the exchange, provision, and sharing of electronic data between the criminal record database and national comprehensive databases, the national population database, and other databases.

The Criminal Records Department will authorize provincial police to receive and process information collected from relevant agencies and units through data connection and sharing.

Citizens completing a criminal record certificate application at the Criminal Records Office, Thanh Hoa Provincial Police. Photo: Pham Du

Competent certificate-issuing agencies are authorized to use and exploit the criminal record database to facilitate administrative procedures for issuing certificates. These units also provide criminal record information to other agencies and organizations, and review the lookup, verification, and provision of criminal record information.

The Ministry of Public Security expects that criminal record information will only be utilized for issuing criminal record certificates if the citizen is alive. Information regarding expunged records will be used for issuing type 2 criminal record certificates and providing criminal record information to prosecuting agencies. Information about newly arising criminal acts will only be utilized to verify conditions for automatic expungement.

If approved, the circular will take effect from 1/7.

From 1/3/2025, the Ministry of Public Security will officially assume the responsibility for managing and issuing criminal record certificates from the Ministry of Justice.