A death certificate is an essential legal document that confirms the passing of an individual. For foreigners residing in Indonesia, obtaining a death certificate is not only necessary for local purposes but also for legalizing the document for use abroad. It serves as proof of death and is crucial for closing financial accounts, processing inheritance, and other administrative matters.
The process for obtaining a death certificate for foreigners can seem complex due to different regulations and paperwork, but with the right information, it can be managed efficiently. This article will guide you through the steps to obtain a death certificate for foreigners in Indonesia, following the provisions of Presidential Regulation No. 96 of 2018, specifically Article 45, which outlines the process for death registration.
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Who Needs to Apply Death Certificate?
When a foreigner passes away in Indonesia, the responsibility to apply for a death certificate falls on the family members, legal representatives, or authorized individuals. In some cases, the embassy or consulate of the deceased’s home country may assist in the application process. The need for a death certificate is not only important for the deceased’s family but also for ensuring that legal and administrative procedures are completed properly in both Indonesia and the home country of the foreign national.
Required Documents for Death Certificate
According to Article 45 of Presidential Regulation No. 96 of 2018, several documents are required for registering the death of a foreigner in Indonesia. The key documents include:
Death Certificate from a Medical Professional
This certificate is typically issued by a doctor, hospital, or clinic and serves as the primary proof of death. Alternatively, if the death occurred in a remote area, the village head or local official may issue a death certificate.
Police Report
If the identity of the deceased is unclear, a police report is necessary to document the circumstances of the death.
Court Rulling
In cases where a person is missing or presumed dead without the body being found, a court ruling may be required to confirm the death legally.
Death Statement from Airline
If the individual was on a flight and their body has not been recovered, the airline may provide an official statement of death in accordance with legal provisions.
Foreign Passport or Travel Documents
The passport or any valid travel documents of the deceased foreigner must be submitted as part of the application process.
These documents must be carefully gathered and presented in their original form or certified copies, depending on the specific requirements of the local civil registration office.
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Death Certificate Application Process
Obtaining a death certificate for a foreigner in Indonesia involves several steps. It is important to follow the correct procedure to ensure that the certificate is issued in a timely manner and can be used for legal and administrative purposes in both Indonesia and the deceased’s home country.
Gather Required Documents
As mentioned earlier, you will need to collect several essential documents before starting the application process. Ensure that you have the death certificate from a doctor or local official, the deceased’s passport or travel documents, and any other necessary paperwork, such as a police report or court ruling if applicable.
Submit the Documents to the Civil Registration Office
Once you have all the required documents, submit them to the nearest civil registration office (Dinas Kependudukan dan Pencatatan Sipil or “Dukcapil”). The civil registration office is responsible for processing death certificates and maintaining vital records in Indonesia.
Make sure to bring multiple copies of the documents, as some may need to be retained by the authorities. Additionally, the documents may need to be translated into Bahasa Indonesia if they are in a foreign language, and translations must be certified by an authorized translator.
Application Review and Processing
The civil registration office will review the submitted documents to ensure they meet all legal requirements. This process may take several days to a week, depending on the completeness of the paperwork and the workload of the office. If the documents are in order, the death will be recorded in the official registry, and a death certificate will be issued.
Collection of the Death Certificate
Once the application is approved, you will be notified to collect the death certificate. It is essential to check the certificate carefully for any errors in the spelling of names or other important details. If any discrepancies are found, they should be corrected immediately to avoid problems with using the certificate for legal purposes in other countries.
Legalization of Death Certificate for Use Abroad
In many cases, the death certificate issued by the Indonesian civil registration office will need to be legalized or authenticated for use in the deceased’s home country. Legalization is the process of certifying a document for international use, ensuring that it will be recognized by foreign authorities.
Notarization
First, the death certificate must be notarized by a public notary in Indonesia. The notary will confirm that the document is authentic and that it has been issued by the proper authorities.
Ministry of Law and Human Rights
After notarization, the death certificate must be submitted to the Ministry of Law and Human Rights (Kementerian Hukum dan Hak Asasi Manusia) for further verification. This step is necessary to certify that the document complies with Indonesian legal standards.
Ministry of Foreign Affairs
Once the certificate has been verified by the Ministry of Law and Human Rights, it must be taken to the Ministry of Foreign Affairs (Kementerian Luar Negeri) for additional authentication. The Ministry of Foreign Affairs will confirm that the certificate is suitable for use in foreign countries.
Embassy or Consulate of the Deceased’s Country
Finally, the death certificate must be submitted to the embassy or consulate of the deceased’s home country for final legalization. The embassy will ensure that the document meets the requirements of the foreign legal system and can be used in the deceased’s home country for administrative purposes, such as settling the estate or claiming insurance.
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Conclusion
Obtaining a death certificate for foreigners in Indonesia involves several critical steps, from gathering the necessary documents to ensuring proper legalization for international use. The key documents, such as the death certificate from a doctor or local official, the passport of the deceased, and, in certain cases, police reports or court rulings, must be submitted to the local civil registration office. Afterward, the certificate can be legalized for use abroad by following the steps of notarization, verification by the Ministry of Law and Human Rights, authentication by the Ministry of Foreign Affairs, and final certification by the relevant foreign embassy.
By being well-prepared with the required documents and understanding the steps involved, you can ensure a smoother process and avoid delays. Following these guidelines will help you obtain and legalize the death certificate for a foreigner in Indonesia, ensuring it can be used for all necessary legal and administrative purposes both domestically and internationally. Check Devisa Global Services for more info!