Electronic Authentication for Business Registration from 2026: Key Changes Every Business Should Know

Electronic authentication for business registration is becoming an essential requirement in Vietnam’s digital administrative procedures. The latest legal updates introduce new authentication obligations for several important business registration activities, affecting both newly established enterprises and businesses making changes to their registration information. Understanding these changes early will help businesses prepare compliant application dossiers and minimize delays during the registration process.

New Regulations on Electronic Authentication for Business Registration Procedures

From 23 July 2026, Decree No. 296/2026/ND-CP, which amends several provisions of Decree No. 168/2025/ND-CP on business registration, officially takes effect. One of its most significant updates is the introduction of mandatory electronic authentication for selected business registration procedures. Under the new regulation, electronic authentication serves not only as a method of identity verification but also as a legal basis for business registration authorities to confirm the legitimacy of the individual carrying out the registration procedure. This amendment represents another step toward the digital transformation of administrative services while improving transparency and reducing the risk of fraudulent business registration applications. In addition, both the authorizing party and the authorized representative remain legally responsible for the legality of the authorization as well as the truthfulness, completeness, and accuracy of the information submitted in the application dossier.

Which Business Registration Procedures Require Electronic Authentication?

The new requirement does not apply to every business registration procedure. Instead, it focuses on transactions that directly affect the legal status or ownership structure of an enterprise. Accordingly, enterprise establishment registration and registration of changes to the legal representative are among the procedures that require mandatory electronic authentication before the business registration authority processes the application.

The requirement also applies to changes involving the owner of a limited liability company, changes in members of a limited liability company, updates to information relating to founding shareholders or foreign investor shareholders of a joint-stock company that is neither a listed company nor a company registered for securities trading, changes in the owner of a private enterprise, and changes in general partners of a partnership. The expanded scope reflects the government’s intention to strengthen oversight of transactions that may significantly affect business ownership, management, or legal representation.

Important Responsibilities for Businesses and Authorized Persons

In addition to completing the electronic authentication process, both the authorizing party and the authorized representative are responsible for ensuring that every piece of information contained in the registration dossier is truthful, accurate, and fully compliant with applicable regulations. This means that all declarations, supporting documents, and authorization arrangements must accurately reflect the actual circumstances. Any inaccurate declaration or unauthorized representation may result in legal liability, regardless of whether the application is submitted electronically. Rather than being merely a technical requirement, electronic authentication reinforces accountability throughout the business registration process and provides greater assurance regarding the identity of the individuals involved.

What Happens If Electronic Authentication Cannot Be Completed?

The new regulation also anticipates situations in which electronic authentication cannot be completed due to technical issues or because the authorizing party has not yet obtained an electronic identification account. If the electronic authentication system experiences an interruption, the authorizing party may complete the authentication after the enterprise has been issued its Enterprise Registration Certificate. Where the authorizing party later confirms that no authorization was granted, or refuses to confirm the authorization, the provincial Business Registration Authority will require the enterprise to provide an explanation in accordance with applicable regulations to verify the legitimacy of the registration dossier. If the authorizing party does not yet possess an electronic identification account, the business registration application must include a copy of a valid citizen identification card, passport, or another valid document accepted in lieu of a passport under Vietnamese law. These provisions ensure that business registration procedures can continue even during the transition to mandatory electronic authentication.

How Do These Changes Differ from Previous Regulations?

Before the issuance of Decree No. 296/2026/ND-CP, Decree No. 168/2025/ND-CP primarily regulated online business registration procedures and the responsibilities of the authorizing party and the authorized representative. The previous regulation did not require either party to complete electronic authentication before or during the business registration process. It also contained no guidance on handling situations where the authentication system became unavailable or where the person carrying out the procedure had not yet established an electronic identification account. By introducing these new provisions, the amended regulation creates a clearer legal framework for digital business registration while enhancing identity verification, transparency, and the overall integrity of the registration process.

How Should Businesses Prepare for the New Requirements?

As more administrative procedures move to digital platforms, businesses should proactively verify that their legal representative or authorized person satisfies the electronic authentication requirements before submitting any registration documents.

Preparing valid identification documents, carefully reviewing the consistency of all information included in the application, and staying informed about the latest regulatory updates will help ensure a smoother registration process. Taking these steps in advance can reduce the likelihood of requests for additional documentation and minimize delays when establishing a new business or updating existing registration information.

Conclusion

Electronic authentication for business registration is an important regulatory change that businesses should understand and prepare for before carrying out registration procedures from 23 July 2026 onward. If you require professional assistance with company incorporation or amendments to business registration information under the latest regulations, Green NRJ is ready to provide practical guidance and reliable support throughout the process.