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An apostille is an official certificate attached to an Indonesian public document so that it is accepted in other countries of the Hague Apostille Convention without embassy legalisation. Indonesia is a member, and its apostilles are issued by the Ministry of Law through the AHU online system. The Indonesian apostille covers documents issued in Indonesia, such as a birth certificate from the civil registry or a deed made by an Indonesian notary.
Fees: the government fee for an apostille is Rp 150,000. The service fee for preparing, filing and collecting it is quoted before work starts. See notary fees in Bali.
How do I apostille an Indonesian birth certificate?
The most requested apostille is for an Indonesian birth certificate (akta kelahiran), for example when a child born in Bali registers abroad, applies for a passport or citizenship, or enrols in school in another country. You need the original certificate or a certified copy; a scan is not accepted. If the receiving country wants it in its own language, a sworn translation can be arranged alongside the apostille.
Which Indonesian documents can be apostilled?
- Birth, marriage, divorce and death certificates
- Academic diplomas and transcripts
- Police clearance certificates (SKCK)
- Notarial deeds, affidavits and powers of attorney
- Company deeds, business licences and tax documents
- Court decisions and medical certificates
A private document, such as a declaration or a contract, is first made into a notarial deed or notarized, and then apostilled. See notarized documents.
How does the AHU Online apostille process work?
- Check the document. It must be an original or certified copy, issued or certified by the right Indonesian authority. Some documents need notarization or prior certification first.
- File online. The application and supporting scans go to the Ministry of Law through AHU.
- Verification. The ministry checks the document's authenticity and completeness.
- Issue. The apostille is issued and attached to the document.
- Delivery. You collect it, or it is sent by registered courier.
It usually takes 3 to 7 business days, depending on the document, whether notarization comes first, and how busy the ministry is.
Can I get an Indonesian apostille without being in Bali?
The whole process can run through a power of attorney, so you can be abroad while the document is apostilled and couriered to you.
Apostille or legalisation?
If the destination country is in the Apostille Convention, the apostille is all you need. If it is not, the document goes through legalisation instead: authentication by the Indonesian Ministry of Foreign Affairs, then by the embassy or consulate of that country. Tell us the destination country and the route is confirmed before you pay.
What happens once the apostille is issued?
An apostille does not expire. The receiving office may still ask for a recently issued underlying document, so check their rules before you order.
