MEA ApostilleApostille for Indonesia
Since 4 June 2022, Indian documents for Indonesia have needed an MEA Apostille rather than legalisation by the Indonesian Embassy or a consulate, as the Apostille Convention has been in force between the two countries from that date.
Business comes first
Indian documents for Indonesia are usually needed for business: Indian companies investing in Indonesian manufacturing, mining, textiles, pharmaceuticals and technology, the directors they appoint, and the agreements they sign with local partners. Expatriate employees and their families make up the other main group.
The route since June 2022
Before 4 June 2022, Indian documents for Indonesia were legalised at the Indonesian Embassy or one of its consulates in India. Since then, an MEA Apostille has taken its place, issued after notarisation and Chamber of Commerce or state authentication.
Setting up a PT PMA
A foreign-owned limited liability company, known as a PT PMA, is established by deed before an Indonesian notary. When the shareholder is an Indian company, the notary typically asks for:
- The certificate of incorporation and articles of association
- A board resolution approving the investment and naming the company's representatives
- A power of attorney for the person who will sign in Indonesia
A single resolution covering several decisions can reduce the number of documents to legalise, but let the notary approve the wording first.
Agreements and language
Agreements involving Indonesian parties are generally expected to have an Indonesian-language version, often prepared as a bilingual contract. If a commercial agreement signed in India will be relied on in Indonesia, plan for both the Apostille and the translation. Translations are commonly made by a sworn translator in Indonesia; see Document Translation for what can be prepared here.
Expatriate staff and families
Work and stay permits are sponsored by the employer, which will say whether it needs an apostilled degree certificate or experience certificate. Dependants usually need a marriage certificate and birth certificates.
Agree the list with your notary or employer first; then the Service Finder or a quote request is the next step.
Route for Indian documents going to Indonesia
- 1
Coordinate with Indonesia
Agree the document list with your Indonesian notary, employer or adviser, including how recent each document must be.
- 2
Draft and notarise
Board resolutions and powers of attorney are finalised, signed and notarised, and certified copies of company records are prepared.
- 3
Chamber or state authentication
Company documents are attested by a Chamber of Commerce, and personal and educational documents go to the relevant state department.
- 4
MEA Apostille
The documents are apostilled by the MEA, so no Indonesian Embassy stage is needed.
- 5
Indonesian translation
Translations are arranged where the notary or authority expects them, commonly by a sworn translator in Indonesia.
- 6
Return and dispatch
We return the originals by courier for onward dispatch to your notary or employer in Indonesia.
Documents commonly prepared for Indonesia
Frequently asked questions
Do company documents for a PT PMA still need Indonesian Embassy legalisation?
No. Embassy legalisation stopped being part of the route on 4 June 2022, when the Apostille Convention began to apply between India and Indonesia, so your notary will expect an MEA Apostille. The notary may still set requirements on how recent the documents are and how they are translated.
Who should translate documents into Indonesian?
Indonesian notaries and authorities commonly ask for translations by a sworn translator in Indonesia, so the translation is often made there after the Apostille. Check before arranging one in India.
Can one board resolution cover several matters in Indonesia?
Often, yes. A single resolution can approve the investment, appoint representatives and authorise signatories, which reduces the number of documents to legalise; ask your notary to approve the wording first. See Board Resolution.
Not sure which route your document needs?
Tell us the document and the destination country. We will confirm the route, the documents we need from you and a quotation — before you send anything.