Document Legalization / Apostille Services

• UNDERSTANDING

Apostille is the process of legalizing official documents, such as birth certificates, divorce certificates, power of attorney, death certificates, agreements, or educational diplomas/certificates, so that they can be recognized internationally. An apostille is a special mark or stamp issued by the authorities in the country of origin of the documents, confirming the authenticity of the signature, position or seal contained in the documents. So, an Apostille Certificate is a certificate that authenticates the legality of the origin of a document with the signature of the officer ratifying a particular public document.

Apostille makes it easier to use official documents in countries that are members of the 1961 Hague Convention, without the need for additional legalization processes. Public documents attached with an Apostille certificate can be used directly at the destination agency in 124 countries, including four ASEAN countries, namely Indonesia, Singapore, the Philippines and Brunei Darussalam.

Apostille also has the meaning of validating an official’s signature, ratifying an official stamp and/or seal in a public document by matching with a specimen through an agency, one of which is the Ministry of Law and Human Rights as the Competent Authority or authorized authority.

Documents that can be submitted include legalization of 66 types of public documents that are standards for visa applications and marriage registration (mixed marriages), as well as overseas education and training requirements such as diplomas and academic transcripts, as well as other public documents.

• LEGAL BASIS

The legal basis for apostilles is The Hague Convention on Apostilles (Apostille Convention) of 1961. This convention is an international agreement signed in The Hague, Netherlands, on 5 October 1961. The purpose of this convention is to simplify the process of legalizing official documents for use abroad.

Indonesia has also adopted the 1961 Hague Convention concerning Apostille using Law Number 2 of 2016 concerning Ratification of the Convention on the Application of Foreign Law, including the Apostille. Using this ratification, official documents having an apostille are recognized internationally by countries that are members of the convention without the need for an additional legalization process. It makes it easier to use the document in these countries.

The following is a list of countries that have implemented the Apostille Convention:

• APOSTILLE FUNCTION

Apostille has several main functions, especially in the context of international document legalization. The following are the functions of the apostille system:

1. Document Authentication: Apostille is used to certify the authenticity of official documents, such as birth certificates, death certificates, business agreements, academic transcripts, and other documents.
2. Easy and Fast: Increasing efficiency and saving time in the international document legalization process by providing internationally recognized authentication marks.
3. International Recognition: Ensuring recognition of official documents in member countries of the 1961 Hague Convention on Apostille without the need for additional legalization processes.
4. Public Services: Increasing the general public’s accessibility to official documents and international public services, such as cross-border marriage, education, business, and others.
5. Cross-Border Cooperation: Encouraging better international cooperation and relations by facilitating the use of official documents between member countries of the convention.
6. Increased Mobility: Supporting international mobility and integration by making it easier to use official documents for needs such as working, studying, investing, and traveling to other countries.
7. Reduced Costs: Reducing costs associated with the document legalization process because it only requires one internationally recognized authentication mark (apostille).

With these functions, the apostille system provides convenience and efficiency in the use of official documents at the international level, strengthens public trust, and supports global integration.

The document to be apostille is a translation into English, not an original document, but the original document must be shown when submitting the apostille.