The Vietnamese government has introduced new regulations that will allow parents to request identification cards for children under the age of six as part of the birth registration process, effective September 1. This initiative is part of the government's efforts to enhance electronic administrative procedures, making it easier for parents to manage their children's documentation.

According to Decree 301/2026/NĐ-CP, which modifies existing regulations, the process for issuing ID cards for young children will now be integrated with birth registration, permanent residence registration, and health insurance card issuance. This means that parents can complete multiple administrative tasks in one streamlined process.

To obtain an ID card, parents, guardians, or individuals completing the paperwork must submit a request; the issuance is not automatic for all children. Once the birth registration application is submitted through the National Public Service Portal, the data will be processed by the Ministry of Justice's civil registration system. If the application is complete, local civil registration officials will register the birth and transfer the information to the national population database to assign a personal identification number.

The processing time for this procedure is set at 24 hours from the moment the system receives all valid documents. Each step of the process, including permanent residence registration and health insurance card issuance, will provide immediate results upon completion, eliminating the need to wait for the entire process to finish.

If there are any deficiencies in the birth registration application, authorities are required to notify the applicant of the reasons for rejection or the necessary additions within 24 hours. This notification can be sent via the National Public Service Portal, the VNeID application, or through automated text messages. Applicants will have seven working days to complete their documents; otherwise, the application will be halted.

The integration of civil registration data with the national population database will be managed through the operational systems of the Ministry of Justice and the Ministry of Public Security. Should any issues arise regarding the issuance of personal identification numbers, these ministries will collaborate to resolve them within one working day.

Once the electronic birth certificate is issued, the child's permanent residence registration application will be forwarded to the residence management system. The confirmation of consent from the household owner or legal guardian can be conducted through VNeID or the police's operational procedures, with a confirmation deadline of no more than five working days. For cases where children are registered for permanent residence with their parents, the processing time is capped at two working days, although verification may extend to five days if necessary.

In cases where the application is incomplete or inaccurate, the residence registration authority must inform the applicant of the reasons for non-acceptance or the required components to be added within one working day of receiving the electronic application. When a request for an ID card is made, the child's data will be transferred among the civil registration, residence, and ID management systems for processing. Information from the birth certificate and health insurance card will also be integrated into the ID card and the child's electronic identification account as mandated by the new regulations.