FCDO e-Apostille for Indonesia: Solicitor Certification

Do you need to use a UK document in Indonesia?

Ginkgo Advisory provides solicitor verification, enhanced solicitor certification and FCDO apostille services for Indonesia.

We assist with UK educational, company, court and personal documents. For urgent cases, our express e-Apostille service may take a few hours to one working day.

However, completion depends on verification, submission times and FCDO processing.

UK Documents for Use in Indonesia

Indonesia and the United Kingdom are parties to the Hague Apostille Convention.

Indonesia deposited its accession on 5 October 2021. The Convention entered into force for Indonesia on 4 June 2022. Therefore, an eligible UK public document can normally use an FCDO apostille instead of the former multi-stage embassy legalisation process.

Before starting, ask the Indonesian recipient whether it needs:

• an original or certified copy
• an FCDO e-Apostille or paper apostille
• a Bahasa Indonesia translation
• separate apostilles for each document
• direct verification from the issuing organisation
• a document issued within a set period

These checks can prevent delays and unnecessary costs.

Does a UK Document Need Indonesian Embassy Legalisation?

Normally, no.

The country that issued the public document must provide the apostille. Therefore, the UK Foreign, Commonwealth & Development Office issues apostilles for eligible UK documents.

Indonesia’s Directorate General of General Legal Administration, known as Ditjen AHU, handles Indonesia’s apostille service for Indonesian documents intended for use overseas. It does not issue an Indonesian apostille for a British document.

A correctly apostilled UK document should not need further Indonesian consular legalisation where the Convention applies.

However, the apostille does not replace the recipient’s other requirements. An Indonesian university, employer, regulator, bank, notary or authority may still ask for:

• a certified copy
• a translation
• an equivalence decision
• a particular document format
• recent supporting records
• separate verification from the issuer

Therefore, obtain the complete document checklist before arranging legalisation.

Which UK Documents Can We Prepare?

Our solicitor can review many types of UK documents.

Educational documents

• Degree Certificates
• Academic Transcripts
• Diploma Supplements
• Higher Education Achievement Reports
• university letters
• school certificates
• professional qualifications
• course-completion letters

Company documents

• Certificates of Incorporation
• Companies House certificates
• Articles of Association
• board resolutions
• shareholder resolutions
• powers of attorney
• registers of directors
• registers of members
• commercial agreements

Court and legal documents

• Final Orders
• Decrees Absolute
• court orders
• judgments
• consent orders
• probate documents
• legal declarations

Personal documents

• certified passport copies
• proof of address
• employment letters
• consent forms
• statutory declarations
• medical certificates
• professional certificates
• ACRO Police Certificates
• DBS certificates

The correct route depends on the document and its intended use in Indonesia.

What Is Solicitor Certification?

Solicitor certification is a formal statement signed by a UK solicitor.

For example, the solicitor may confirm that a copy matches the original document.

Basic wording often states:

“I certify that this is a true copy of the original document.”

This wording may meet a simple certified-copy requirement.

However, it does not confirm that the university, court, company or public authority genuinely issued the document.

Therefore, an Indonesian recipient may request stronger evidence.

What Is Enhanced Solicitor Certification?

Enhanced solicitor certification goes beyond basic true-copy wording.

First, our solicitor checks the document through a reliable source. The source may include a university, Companies House, a court record or an official digital platform.

Next, we may prepare wording such as:

“I further certify that I have verified the authenticity of this document with the issuing institution.”

As a result, the Indonesian recipient receives:

• a certified copy of the document; and
• confirmation that the solicitor checked its issuing source.

This approach may help when the recipient needs more than a visual comparison with the original.

Solicitor Verification and Certification

Verification and certification are separate stages.

Verification means checking the document with its issuing source.

Certification means issuing the formal solicitor statement after completing that check.

For educational documents, we may use:

• direct university confirmation
• HEDD
• Gradintelligence
• Digitary
• Parchment
• an official university portal
• a secure document-sharing service

Company checks may involve official Companies House records.

Court-document checks can include:

• the court seal
• the case number
• the issuing email
• the document format
• other official evidence

After completing the appropriate checks, our solicitor prepares and signs the certificate.

What Does the FCDO Apostille Confirm?

The FCDO checks whether the relevant UK signature, stamp or seal matches its records.

When the document meets the legalisation rules, the FCDO issues an apostille.

UK qualification certificates, contracts, powers of attorney and certified copies may qualify after certification by a UK solicitor or notary.

However, the apostille does not verify every fact written inside the underlying document.

Indonesia’s own official description follows the same principle. It explains that an apostille confirms the relevant official’s signature, position, institution and official seal or stamp.

For this reason, enhanced solicitor certification can create a stronger evidence chain:

Source verification → enhanced solicitor certification → solicitor signature → FCDO apostille

The enhanced certificate records the source check. The apostille then authenticates the relevant solicitor’s signature.

FCDO e-Apostille for Indonesia

The FCDO offers paper apostilles and e-Apostilles.

For an e-Apostille, the document must be a PDF electronically signed by a UK solicitor or notary. Once completed, the applicant can download the legalised file and share it digitally.

Our solicitor’s electronic signature is registered with the FCDO for e-Apostille purposes.

Consequently, we can prepare eligible PDFs for electronic legalisation.

Indonesia also operates an online apostille application and verification system for Indonesian documents. However, this does not mean that every Indonesian recipient automatically accepts every foreign e-Apostille.

Ask the recipient whether it accepts:

• a UK FCDO e-Apostille
• an electronically signed PDF
• a printed version of the digital document
• a paper apostille attached to an original
• a file uploaded through an online portal

A paper apostille may work better when the recipient requires a physical original.

Express e-Apostille Service for Indonesia

Straightforward cases may take a few hours to one working day through our express handling when:

• the document is clear and complete
• source verification has finished
• the PDF qualifies for an e-Apostille
• payment has arrived
• the FCDO requires no further checks

The FCDO’s published processing time for an e-Apostille is up to two working days. Signature checks or document queries can extend that timeframe.

Therefore, urgent clients should provide the document and the Indonesian recipient’s instructions as early as possible.

Educational Documents for Indonesia

UK educational documents may support:

• Indonesian university admission
• postgraduate study
• employment
• government recruitment
• foreign-degree equivalence
• professional registration
• teaching applications
• scholarship reporting
• immigration procedures

Common documents include the Degree Certificate and Academic Transcript.

A Degree Certificate confirms the academic award.

An Academic Transcript records information such as:

• subjects studied
• grades achieved
• academic credits
• dates of attendance
• internships
• projects
• completion of the qualification

However, an apostille does not determine the Indonesian level of the UK qualification.

The applicant may also need:

• Penyetaraan Ijazah Luar Negeri
• GPA conversion
• direct university verification
• a complete Academic Transcript
• course or programme information
• professional registration
• separate apostilles

Penyetaraan Ijazah Luar Negeri

Indonesia provides an online foreign-degree equivalence service known as:

Penyetaraan Ijazah Luar Negeri, or PILN.

The Ministry of Higher Education, Science and Technology uses this service to recognise qualifications awarded by overseas higher-education institutions.

The assessment compares the overseas qualification with Indonesian higher-education qualifications by reference to the Indonesian National Qualifications Framework, known as KKNI. The service can also convert the applicant’s overseas GPA into an Indonesian equivalent.

Therefore, an apostille and PILN equivalence perform different functions:

The FCDO apostille authenticates the relevant UK signature or seal.

PILN assesses the qualification against Indonesia’s education framework.

Neither process automatically replaces the other.

Online Foreign-Degree Equivalence

The PILN application process takes place online.

The official process includes:

1. creating an account;
2. completing the application forms;
3. uploading the required documents;
4. document verification;
5. substantive academic assessment;
6. electronic issue of the equivalence decision.

The final equivalence decision and GPA conversion can be issued electronically to the applicant.

The current PILN portal also allows users to:

• check an application’s status
• search for previous decisions
• search for foreign universities
• verify electronically issued decisions

Documents for PILN Equivalence

The exact requirements depend on the qualification and study history.

Applicants may need to provide:

• the final Degree Certificate
• the complete Academic Transcript
• passport pages covering the period of study
• evidence of attendance
• course or curriculum information
• a thesis or dissertation
• internship or field-project evidence
• previous academic qualifications
• proof of name changes

The official PILN portal warns that applications can be delayed when information is unclear, documents are incomplete or the applicant has not followed the required procedure.

It also asks applicants to provide clear colour scans of all passport pages covering the study period. Where the applicant used more than one passport, each passport should appear in a separate complete file.

Therefore, apostilling the Degree Certificate alone may not complete the wider equivalence process.

How Indonesia Assesses Bachelor’s Degrees

Indonesia does not assess a foreign degree solely by reading its title.

The PILN portal explains that evaluators may consider:

• the number of credits
• teaching hours
• internships
• field projects
• final project reports
• thesis requirements
• the contents of the Academic Transcript

The portal also states that an Honours title does not always guarantee equivalence to an Indonesian Sarjana qualification. The authority can review the curriculum and actual studies completed.

Therefore, the Academic Transcript and course details can be as important as the Degree Certificate.

Religious Higher-Education Programmes

The Ministry of Higher Education’s PILN portal does not handle every overseas qualification.

The official portal states that the Ministry of Religious Affairs handles equivalence applications for overseas higher-education programmes in religious studies.

Applicants should therefore confirm whether their programme belongs to:

• the Ministry of Higher Education, Science and Technology; or
• the Ministry of Religious Affairs.

Submitting the application to the wrong authority can cause delays.

Is PILN Equivalence Free?

The current official PILN portal states that the foreign-degree equivalence and GPA-conversion service does not charge an application fee.

However, applicants may still incur separate costs for:

• document certification
• university verification
• apostilles
• translations
• obtaining replacement records
• courier delivery

These supporting services remain separate from the government equivalence application.

UK Degree Verification for Indonesia

A basic certified copy may not satisfy every Indonesian recipient.

For stronger evidence, our solicitor can verify a UK qualification where the university provides a reliable verification route.

The process may include:

• reviewing the Degree Certificate
• checking the Academic Transcript
• accessing an official verification platform
• contacting the issuing university
• confirming the source of the qualification
• preparing enhanced solicitor certification
• electronically signing the PDF
• arranging the FCDO apostille

This process records how we checked the qualification.

However, it does not replace PILN equivalence, professional registration or a university admission decision where a separate assessment applies.

Professional Qualifications in Indonesia

Indonesia regulates many professions.

Applicants may need separate approval before working as:

• doctors
• dentists
• nurses
• pharmacists
• engineers
• architects
• teachers
• lawyers
• accountants
• other regulated professionals

The responsible authority may request:

• the Degree Certificate
• the complete Academic Transcript
• course descriptions
• practical-training records
• proof of UK registration
• certificates of professional standing
• employment records
• PILN equivalence
• apostilled documents
• examinations or supervised practice

Therefore, obtain the regulator’s current checklist before legalising a large group of documents.

Healthcare Professional Registration

Indonesia uses professional-registration systems for healthcare practitioners.

The Indonesian Health Council, known as Konsil Kesehatan Indonesia, operates electronic registration certificates known as E-STR.

Foreign-qualified healthcare professionals may need to complete additional education, competency, registration or licensing procedures before practising in Indonesia.

An applicant may have to provide:

• the final professional qualification
• the Academic Transcript
• clinical-training records
• internship evidence
• proof of overseas registration
• a certificate of good standing
• identity and immigration documents
• an equivalence decision
• translated or apostilled records

An FCDO apostille does not itself grant an Indonesian professional licence or STR.

Company Documents for Indonesia

UK company documents may support:

• establishing a foreign-investment company
• setting up an Indonesian subsidiary
• opening a representative office
• opening a corporate bank account
• foreign investment
• commercial contracts
• tender applications
• proving directors or shareholders
• appointing an Indonesian representative

Official Companies House certificates may qualify for direct FCDO legalisation.

Company-created documents usually need an appropriate signature or solicitor certification before the FCDO can issue an apostille.

Examples include:

• board resolutions
• shareholder resolutions
• company powers of attorney
• registers of directors
• registers of members
• authorised signatory letters
• commercial agreements

Requirements may differ between Indonesian notaries, banks, investment advisers and government filing systems.

OSS Business Licensing

Indonesia operates an electronic risk-based business-licensing system known as OSS RBA.

The official OSS portal states that a Business Identification Number, known as an NIB, is the formal identity used to start or operate a business in Indonesia. The type of licence and business obligation depends on the activity’s risk level.

UK company documents may therefore support matters involving:

• incorporation
• shareholder verification
• beneficial ownership
• foreign investment
• business licensing
• director appointments
• opening a representative office

However, an apostille does not create the Indonesian company or issue the NIB.

The Indonesian notary, lawyer or corporate service provider should confirm which UK documents must be:

• certified
• notarised
• apostilled
• translated
• recently issued
• provided as physical originals

Powers of Attorney for Indonesia

A UK power of attorney may support:

• company establishment
• business licensing
• banking
• property matters
• court proceedings
• estate administration
• representation before an Indonesian authority

The Indonesian lawyer, notary or recipient should provide the required wording before the document is signed.

Depending on the transaction, the power may require:

• execution before a solicitor or notary
• witness details
• identity verification
• an FCDO apostille
• a Bahasa Indonesia translation
• a physical original
• local notarisation or registration

Some Indonesian transactions may specifically require a notarial act rather than ordinary solicitor certification.

Therefore, do not rely on a general power-of-attorney template without checking the local requirements.

Court Documents for Indonesia

UK court documents may need legalisation for:

• divorce matters
• probate
• inheritance
• family proceedings
• civil claims
• debt enforcement
• commercial disputes

Examples include:

• Final Orders
• Decrees Absolute
• court judgments
• consent orders
• Grants of Probate
• Letters of Administration

A UK court document carrying a recognised wet-ink court seal may qualify for direct FCDO legalisation.

By contrast, an electronic court document may first need solicitor verification and certification. GOV.UK distinguishes between court documents with wet-ink seals and documents that require certification by a UK public official.

The Indonesian court, lawyer, civil registry or other authority may also request:

• the original document
• a paper apostille
• a certified copy
• a sworn Indonesian translation
• further recognition proceedings
• a document issued within a set period

Confirm the format before selecting the e-Apostille route.

Does Indonesia Require a Bahasa Indonesia Translation?

The answer depends on the recipient and procedure.

Some Indonesian immigration procedures accept documents written in English without translation.

For example, official immigration guidance for certain family residence applications states that an overseas marriage certificate must have a sworn Indonesian translation unless the certificate is already written in English.

Other Indonesian procedures may still require a Bahasa Indonesia translation even when the original document is in English.

Before arranging translation, ask:

• whether the recipient accepts English
• whether it requires Bahasa Indonesia
• whether a sworn translator must prepare the translation
• whether the apostille also needs translation
• whether every page and annex needs translation
• whether the translation must be completed in Indonesia

Sworn Indonesian Translations

A sworn translator is commonly known in Indonesia as a:

penerjemah tersumpah

A university, court, notary, bank or public authority may ask a sworn translator to translate:

• the underlying UK document
• the solicitor certificate
• the FCDO apostille
• stamps and annotations
• schedules and annexes

Often, applicants obtain the apostille first. Afterwards, the translator prepares the Bahasa Indonesia version of the complete legalised package.

However, the receiving authority should confirm the correct order.

Immigration and Residence Documents

UK documents may support Indonesian applications involving:

• family residence
• work
• study
• investment
• marriage
• dependent residence
• proof of qualifications
• proof of family relationships

Official Indonesian immigration guidance shows that translation rules can depend on the document’s language and visa category.

For example, some procedures require foreign documents to be translated into Bahasa Indonesia unless they are already written in English.

Therefore, applicants should follow the exact checklist for their:

• visa
• electronic limited-stay permit
• residence permit
• dependent application
• immigration status

An apostille does not replace immigration approval.

Birth, Marriage and Civil-Status Documents

UK civil-status documents may support:

• marriage reporting
• dependent visas
• birth registration
• divorce procedures
• family residence
• nationality matters
• inheritance
• proof of family relationships

Common documents include:

• birth certificates
• marriage certificates
• death certificates
• civil partnership certificates
• adoption certificates
• divorce orders

The Indonesian recipient may require:

• the original paper certificate
• an FCDO paper apostille
• a long-form certificate
• a recently issued copy
• a sworn Indonesian translation
• supporting passport or identity documents

General Register Office documents cannot receive an FCDO e-Apostille. They must use the paper apostille route when legalisation is required.

Police Certificates for Indonesia

A UK ACRO Police Certificate may support:

• employment
• immigration
• residence
• professional registration
• background screening
• security checks

The FCDO does not issue e-Apostilles for ACRO Police Certificates.

Therefore, an ACRO certificate must use the paper apostille route.

The Indonesian recipient may also require:

• the original certificate
• a recent issue date
• a Bahasa Indonesia translation
• a paper apostille
• police certificates from other countries
• direct verification

Check the required validity period before ordering the certificate.

Documents That Need a Paper Apostille

The FCDO does not issue an e-Apostille for certain document types.

These include:

• UK birth certificates
• marriage certificates
• death certificates
• civil partnership certificates
• adoption certificates
• other General Register Office documents
• ACRO Police Certificates
• DBS certificates
• Scottish and Northern Irish disclosure certificates
• fingerprint certificates
• ACCA membership certificates

These documents normally require a paper apostille.

An Indonesian recipient may also require a physical document even where the document type is technically eligible for an e-Apostille.

Separate or Combined Apostilles?

Several related documents can sometimes form one solicitor-certified PDF.

However, this approach does not suit every Indonesian application.

Separate apostilles may work better when:

• the Degree Certificate and Transcript serve different purposes
• PILN expects separate academic records
• a professional regulator requires separate documents
• each document will go to a different organisation
• a notary requires individual company records
• the documents come from different issuing bodies

GOV.UK advises applicants to ask whether the recipient needs one apostille for a group of documents or a separate apostille for each document.

Our Process

Step 1: Send the Document

Send us a clear PDF of the UK document.

Step 2: Provide the Indonesian Requirements

Include any instructions from the Indonesian:

• authority
• university
• employer
• professional regulator
• court
• bank
• lawyer
• notary
• corporate service provider

Step 3: Check Whether Legalisation Is Needed

We first determine whether the recipient requires an apostille.

Step 4: Select the Correct Route

We check whether the document needs:

• an e-Apostille
• a paper apostille
• solicitor certification
• enhanced source verification
• notarisation
• separate legalisation

Step 5: Verify the Document

Where possible, our solicitor checks the document with its issuing source.

Step 6: Prepare Enhanced Certification

We draft the appropriate certification wording and apply the solicitor’s electronic or wet-ink signature.

Step 7: Arrange the FCDO Apostille

Our team submits the document through the suitable FCDO route.

Step 8: Send the Completed Document

Finally, we provide the completed electronic file or arrange return delivery of the paper documents.

The Indonesian recipient can verify a UK paper or electronic apostille using its issue date and apostille number.

Need an Apostille for Indonesia?

Send Ginkgo Advisory:

• a copy of the UK document
• its intended use in Indonesia
• the name of the recipient
• any written document requirements
• whether PILN equivalence is required
• whether professional registration is involved
• your required completion date

We will check whether an apostille is necessary and confirm the appropriate verification, certification and legalisation route.

Eligible express e-Apostille cases may take a few hours to one working day, subject to document checks and FCDO processing.

Frequently Asked Questions

Does Indonesia accept an FCDO apostille?

Yes. The Apostille Convention entered into force for Indonesia on 4 June 2022. The United Kingdom is also a party to the Convention.

Does an apostilled UK document need Indonesian Embassy legalisation?

Normally, no. The FCDO apostille replaces the traditional consular legalisation process for an eligible UK public document used in Indonesia.

Does Indonesia accept an FCDO e-Apostille?

A UK e-Apostille may suit a digital application. However, the receiving Indonesian organisation should confirm that its system accepts an electronically signed PDF.

Does Indonesia’s AHU office apostille UK documents?

No. Indonesia’s AHU apostille service handles Indonesian documents intended for overseas use. The UK FCDO apostilles eligible UK documents.

Is true-copy certification enough?

It depends on the purpose. Some Indonesian recipients may also want confirmation that the solicitor verified the document with the issuing university, company or public authority.

Can you verify a UK Degree Certificate?

Yes, where the issuing university provides a reliable verification route.

Does an apostille replace PILN equivalence?

No. The apostille authenticates the relevant UK signature or seal. PILN assesses how the overseas qualification compares with Indonesia’s higher-education framework.

Does PILN convert foreign grades?

The service includes the conversion of overseas GPA results into an Indonesian equivalent alongside the foreign-degree equivalence process.

Does PILN need the Academic Transcript?

The Academic Transcript is important because the authority may review credits, teaching hours, internships, projects and thesis requirements when deciding equivalence.

Can you apostille an Academic Transcript?

Yes. We can review, verify and certify an eligible Academic Transcript before arranging the FCDO apostille.

Does an Honours degree automatically equal an Indonesian Sarjana?

Not automatically. The PILN authority may assess the curriculum, credits and studies completed rather than relying only on the qualification title.

Who handles equivalence for religious-study degrees?

The PILN portal states that Indonesia’s Ministry of Religious Affairs handles foreign-degree equivalence for religious higher-education programmes.

Do English UK documents need translation?

Not always. Some Indonesian immigration procedures accept English documents without translation. However, another authority may still require a Bahasa Indonesia translation.

Can an ACRO Police Certificate receive an e-Apostille?

No. An ACRO Police Certificate must use the FCDO paper apostille route.

Do UK birth and marriage certificates need a paper apostille?

When an apostille is required, General Register Office certificates must use the paper route because they are not eligible for an e-Apostille.

Can several documents share one apostille?

Sometimes. However, PILN, an Indonesian professional regulator, notary or other recipient may request a separate apostille for each document.