Parents who fail to register within 60 days of a child’s birth may face fines ranging from VND 500,000 to 1 million (USD 20-40), according to Decree No. 144/2021/NĐ-CP.
In recent weeks, local police stations have seen an increase in residents applying to complete household registration procedures after realizing their children were absent from official lists during government gift distributions for the80th National Day anniversary.
On September 12, Võ Thị Hạnh Chi from An Nhơn Nam ward discovered her youngest child, born in 2023, was not listed in the electronic registry despite having a birth certificate.
Police officers explained that permanent residence registration had not been completed. Similarly, on September 15, Vũ Thị Thu Hà from Quy Nhơn ward registered her grandchild, born in 2021, after learning the procedure was necessary to ensure rights to schooling, medical services, and state policies.
Major Phan Tiến Đoan, Deputy Chief of An Nhơn Nam Ward Police, said numerous families had neglected registration.
Officers have since guided residents in filing applications via the online public service portal and checking information through the VNeID application.
Police report that many parents mistakenly believe a birth certificate alone is sufficient, while others underestimate the importance of household registration.
Following Independence Day distributions, awareness has increased, prompting families to complete the process.
Under Decree No. 63/2024/NĐ-CP, administrative procedures for birth registration, permanent residence, and issuance of health insurance cards for children under six have been streamlined.
Still, authorities emphasize that parents must monitor application status and contact police for support when needed.
Challenges remain in rural and ethnic minority areas, where parents often work away from home and children stay with grandparents.
Major Phùng Văn, Deputy Chief of Kbang Commune Police, said limited understanding leads to incomplete registrations.
To address this, commune police have broadcast messages through loudspeakers, village meetings, and Zalo groups, resulting in higher compliance.
Provincial police have ordered communes and wards to review cases of unregistered children in the national database and intensify legal education campaigns.
Officials stressed that timely permanent residence registration is not only a legal obligation but also a vital safeguard for children’s rights to education, healthcare, and social welfare.