Apostille vs. Embassy legalisation for Indonesia
Since Indonesia joined the Hague Convention in 2022, an apostille for Indonesia has been the only necessary certification for official British documents used there. This replaces the old two-step process of FCDO legalisation followed by Indonesian embassy stamping. Documents from Leicester with an apostille issued in Leicester for use in Indonesia are recognised across all Indonesian provinces without further steps.
Indonesia's Hague status & what it means
Indonesia became part of the Hague Convention in 2022 and requires an apostille from United Kingdom to Indonesia for all British public documents used on its territory. For Leicester residents, this means your birth, marriage or death certificate can be certified solely through the UK process. There's no need for the Indonesian Embassy in London to verify the papers after the FCDO has issued its apostille.
The Leicester → Indonesia route step by step
Start by getting a new certified copy of your civil record from Leicester Registration Service at 115 Charles Street instead of risking your original. Once you have this fresh copy, send it to the Legalisation Office at PO Box 6255, Milton Keynes MK10 1XX to receive the apostille. The office returns documents by recorded delivery, which normally takes a working week plus post time each way.
If your paper comes from another source like a UK court or signed by a notary, check first whether it's acceptable for document legalisation for Indonesia. The office works by post with no counter service, so you'll send your forms along with payment. Remember to keep a copy of everything you post, as replacements take longer to process if anything goes astray.
Cost & timing for this route
The standard process through the Legalisation Office carries an official fee for each document, with next-day service available to registered businesses. Standard postal service typically takes a week from when the office receives your papers, while the expedited option shortens this to about two working days. These timings don't include postage periods in either direction or potential delays around holidays.
Destination-specific requirements
When working out what you need for an apostille for Indonesia, note that Indonesian authorities require all foreign documents to be translated into Indonesian by a sworn translator in Indonesia. The translation must match the original exactly, including any stamps on the apostille itself. Consider having an extra certified copy made to send with your translation, as Indonesian offices will want to keep both versions on file.
While the apostille is sufficient for use in Indonesia, certain document types might need additional local attestation upon arrival, such as academic transcripts for employment. Always confirm with the Indonesian agency or employer receiving your documents exactly which papers they require.