1. On 8 March 2023, China acceded to the Convention Abolishing the Requirement of Legalization for Foreign Public Documents (hereinafter referred to as the Convention). The Convention will enter into force between China and Indonesia on 7 November 2023. The Convention will remain effective for Hong Kong Special Administrative Region and the Macao Special Administrative Region.

2. From 7 November, public document as referred to in the Convention issued by Indonesia to be used in Chinese mainland only need to apply for Indonesian Apostille, instead of applying for Legalization by the Chinese Embassy and Consulates General in Indonesia.

3. From 7 November, the Chinese Embassy and Consulates General in Indonesia will cease Legalization services. Documents issued by Indonesia to be sent and used in the Chinese mainland, need to apply for an Apostille from the Indonesia authority (see Appendix 1 for specific information).

4. According to the Convention, the Apostille is to certify the authenticity of the signature, the capacity of the person when signing the document and, when needed, the authenticity of the seal or stamp which it bears. The completion of the Indonesian Apostille does not ensure that the relevant documents will be accepted by the relevant Chinese authorities. Applicants are suggested to check the format, content, time limit, translation and other specific requirements of foreign public documents with the Chinese authority where the documents are to be used before going through the relevant procedures.

5. Starting from 7 November 2023, public documents, as defined in the Convention, which are issued in the Chinese mainland for use in Indonesia will be exempt from Legalization by Chinese authorities and the Indonesian Embassy and Consulates General in China.Only application for Apostilles is needed. The Ministry of Foreign Affairs of China is the competent authority for issuing Apostille for public documents issued within the country. Entrusted by the Ministry of Foreign Affairs, the Foreign Affairs Offices of relevant local people's governments in China can issue Apostille for public documents issued within their own administrative regions (see Appendix 2 for the specific list). Apostille can be verified online. For details, please visit website: https://consular.mfa.gov.cn/VERIFY/. For specific procedures and requirements for applying for Apostille, please visit the website of the China Consular Service: http://cs.mfa.gov.cn/ or the relevant websites of local Foreign Affairs Offices.

Appendix 1: Information on Applying for Apostille in Indonesia

Appendix 2: List of Foreign Affairs Offices that May Issue Apostille