Apostille for PT PMA Documents in Indonesia

Apostille for PT PMA (Perseroan Terbatas Penanaman Modal Asing) documents in Indonesia is a simplified legalization process for using foreign issued documents in Indonesia or Indonesian documents abroad following Indonesia’s ratification of the Hague Apostille Convention.

Indonesia ratified the Apostille Convention through Presidential Regulation No. 2 of 2021. The implementation is handled by the Ministry of Law and Human Rights through the Directorate General of General Legal Administration (Ditjen AHU).

Official portal: https://ahu.go.id/

The Apostille system eliminates the need for multi step legalization at the Ministry of Law and Human Rights, Ministry of Foreign Affairs, and the embassy, provided the destination country is also a member of the Apostille Convention.

An Apostille is an official certificate issued by the competent authority that authenticates:

• The signature on a document
• The capacity of the person who signed the document
• The authenticity of the seal or stamp

Important: An Apostille confirms the authenticity of the signature and seal, not the content of the document.

The Apostille must always be obtained in the country where the document was issued.

When Is Apostille Required for PT PMA?

Apostille is commonly required in two main situations:

• Foreign documents used to establish a PT PMA in Indonesia
• Indonesian PT PMA documents used abroad

If the issuing country is a member of the Apostille Convention, diplomatic or consular legalization is no longer required.

Common PT PMA Documents Requiring Apostille

For foreign investors establishing a PT PMA in Indonesia, the following documents are typically apostilled:

1. Articles of Incorporation or Deed of Establishment of the Foreign Parent Company
Required when a foreign legal entity becomes a shareholder in a PT PMA.

2. Power of Attorney
Used when the investor is not physically present in Indonesia to sign the Deed of Establishment.

3. Passport and Identity Documents
Required for foreign shareholders, directors, or commissioners.

4. Board Resolutions or Other Corporate Documents
Used to authorize investment, appointment of representatives, or capital participation.

On the other hand, Indonesian PT PMA documents that may require apostille for overseas use include:

• Deed of Establishment
• Deed of Amendment
• AHU approval or notification letters
• Business Identification Number (NIB)
• Corporate resolutions

Read more: Important Information Contained in an NIB for a PT PMA 

Legal Basis in Indonesia

The Apostille system in Indonesia is implemented by the Ministry of Law and Human Rights through Ditjen AHU.

Official references include:

• Presidential Regulation No. 2 of 2021 on Ratification of the Apostille Convention
• AHU Apostille system at https://apostille.ahu.go.id/
• Directorate General of General Legal Administration portal

All applications must be submitted electronically through the official AHU Apostille system.

Procedure for Apostille in Indonesia

Below is the official process for obtaining an Apostille in Indonesia.

1. Preparation

Ensure the document:

• Is a public document issued by an official authority
• Has been properly signed by an authorized official
• Is complete and not a draft

For foreign documents, the Apostille must be obtained in the country of origin.

2. Notarization

The document must first be notarized by a local notary in the country where it is issued if required under local law.

For Indonesian documents, ensure the document bears proper official signatures or seals recognized by the Ministry.

3. Online Application

• Register through the official Ministry of Law and Human Rights.
• Create an account and submit the application electronically.

4. Data Entry

Fill in:

• Applicant data
• Personal data
• Destination country
• Details of the official who signed the document

Accuracy is critical. Incorrect official name or signature details may cause rejection.

5. Upload and Verification

Upload scanned copies of the document.

The Ministry verifies:

• Signature authenticity
• Official seal
• Compliance with Apostille requirements

6. Payment

• Pay the Non Tax State Revenue (BNBP) fee using the provided billing code.
• Payment must be completed within 7 calendar days.

7. Finalization

Once verified:

• The Apostille certificate is issued
• The original document must be shown at the Ministry of Law and Human Rights office or its regional branch to receive the physical Apostille sticker

Costs and Timeframe

Timeframe

• Normal processing typically takes 3 to 7 business days
• Express processing may be available depending on office capacity

Cost

• The official Apostille certificate fee is regulated under Non Tax State Revenue (PNBP) rules
• Third party service fees vary depending on urgency and complexity

Office Locations

Finalized or verified documents are taken to the Ministry of Law and Human Rights office in Jakarta or its regional offices for printing and sticker attachment.

Key Points for PT PMA Investors

1. Simplified Legalization
Since 2021, documents originating from Apostille Convention countries no longer require embassy legalization.

2. Apostille Does Not Validate Content
It confirms only the authenticity of signature and seal.

3. Country of Origin Rule
The Apostille must be obtained in the country where the document was issued.

4. Public Document Requirement
Only public documents signed by authorized officials can be apostilled.

5. Destination Country Must Be a Member
If the destination country is not part of the Apostille Convention, traditional legalization procedures still apply.

Practical Example for PT PMA Establishment

If a Singapore company becomes a shareholder in a PT PMA in Bali:

• The Singapore company prepares its Certificate of Incorporation and Board Resolution
• Those documents are notarized in Singapore
• Singapore authorities issue an Apostille
• The apostilled documents are submitted to the Indonesian notary for PT PMA establishment

No embassy legalization is required.

Read more: What to Prepare to Establish a PT PMA

Conclusion

Apostille for PT PMA documents in Indonesia significantly simplifies cross border document legalization following Indonesia’s ratification of the Apostille Convention.

The process is fully managed by the Ministry of Law and Human Rights through the AHU Apostille system and eliminates the need for multi layer diplomatic legalization.

For foreign investors establishing a PT PMA, understanding when and where Apostille is required ensures smoother incorporation, faster licensing, and reduced administrative risk.

If you need, I can also prepare a structured checklist specifically for PT PMA establishment in Bali, aligned with current Indonesian investment regulations.

How BaliEasy Can Help You

Establishing a PT PMA often requires properly apostilled foreign documents, accurate company structuring, OSS registration, and full licensing compliance.

BaliEasy helps foreign investors manage this entire process smoothly, from reviewing apostille documents and coordinating incorporation to handling business licenses and Investor KITAS applications in line with current Indonesian regulations.

We provide clear guidance, transparent pricing with no hidden fees, and 24/7 human customer support.

As regulations in Indonesia continue to evolve, BaliEasy ensures your PT PMA and immigration status remain compliant, efficient, and legally secure from day one.