A power of attorney for use in India can be signed in Indonesia before an Indonesian notary and apostilled through the AHU system, or, for Indian citizens, signed and attested at the Embassy of India in Jakarta or the Consulates General in Medan and Bali. Once it reaches India, it must be stamped within three months, and for property matters the local sub-registrar's requirements for authentication or registration must be met before it is used.
- Document route
- Indonesian notary (notaris), then apostille through the AHU system
- Time difference
- IST is 1h30 behind Jakarta, 2h30 behind Bali and 3h30 behind Papua (no daylight saving)
- Recognition
- Section 33, Registration Act 1908
- Authentication
- Indian mission, or notary plus apostille
Power of Attorney from Indonesia: how it works
We draft the power for the task in hand: selling a specific property, managing rent, operating a bank account, representing you in a partition or recovery case, or dealing with the tax department. Narrow, specific powers are accepted far more readily than general ones. We include your details and passport number, the attorney holder's identity and the precise acts allowed. You then choose the route: the Indian mission, which many sub-registrars prefer for property, or a notaris followed by an apostille, which is often more convenient outside Jakarta.
When the original arrives in India, we stamp it under the state stamp law and complete any authentication by the local registering authority. The attorney holder can then act, and our team accompanies them for registrations or court appearances where useful. Remember to keep a scan, inform the attorney holder of any limits, and revoke the power formally by deed when the work is finished, informing the bank or registry that relied on it.
What clients in Indonesia should know
- The apostille route has been available from Indonesia since June 2022, which makes powers signed outside Jakarta easier to use in India.
- Some North Indian sub-registrars still prefer Embassy or Consulate attested powers for property sales, so check the specific office first.
- A power of attorney cannot be used to transfer property to the attorney holder himself unless that is expressly authorised, and such clauses attract scrutiny.
Step by step from Indonesia
Video consultation
A call at a time that suits Indonesia, after we have read your documents.
Documents signed in Indonesia
Indonesian notary (notaris), then apostille through the AHU system
Work in India
Our team files, appears and follows up in India, and shares scans of everything filed.
Result and handover
Certified copies and originals are couriered to you in Indonesia where needed.
The full guide
This page covers what changes when you are in Indonesia. For the law, the documents and the step-by-step procedure, read our main page on Power of Attorney, or see all services for clients in Indonesia and the Inheritance & Documents practice area.
Questions from clients in Indonesia
Is an Indonesian notary's signature enough?
No. The document must also carry an apostille from the AHU system, or be attested at the Indian mission.
Can the power be in Bahasa Indonesia?
It should be in English for Indian use. If the notary adds Indonesian text, a certified translation is needed.
How long is a power of attorney valid?
Until revoked, completed or the death of the principal, unless the document sets a period.