[Please refer to How to Read a Country Entry for help interpreting this material. It was produced prior to March 2001 as part of a US government report entitled Citizenship Laws of the World. The accuracy and depth of these country listings varies significantly, and some information may be incorrect. At best, this page presents only part of the story for a particular country. Additional information for this country may be available in Country Information]

INDONESIA

CITIZENSHIP: Citizenship is based upon the Nationality Laws of Indonesia, dated January 1, 1946, and amended on August 1, 1958. Questions concerning persons born before January 1, 1946, should be directed to the Embassy.

BY BIRTH: Child born in the territory of Indonesia, between January 1, 1946, and August 1, 1958, regardless of the nationality of the parents. Birth in the territory of Indonesia, on or after August 1, 1958, does not automatically confer citizenship. The exception is a child born to unknown parents.

BY DESCENT: Child born abroad, between January 1, 1946, and August 1, 1958, of an Indonesian father or of an Indonesian mother and an unknown father. Child born on or after August 1, 1958, of an Indonesian father, regardless of the child's country of birth. Child born on or after August 1, 1958, of an Indonesian mother and an unknown father, regardless of the country of birth.

MARRIAGE: A foreign woman who marries a citizen of Indonesia may obtain Indonesian citizenship upon revocation of previous citizenship.

BY NATURALIZATION: Indonesian citizenship may be acquired upon fulfillment of the following conditions: Person provides proof of loss or renunciation of former nationality, is at least age 21, was either born in Indonesia or has resided continuously for five years or not continuously for ten years, knows the Indonesian language, has knowledge of Indonesian history, has no criminal record, is of good mental and physical health, has a regular means of support, and, if applicable, has obtained their spouse's permission.

DUAL CITIZENSHIP: NOT RECOGNIZED.

LOSS OF CITIZENSHIP:

VOLUNTARY: Voluntary renunciation of Indonesian citizenship is permitted by law. Contact the Embassy for details and required paperwork.

INVOLUNTARY: The following are grounds for involuntary loss of Indonesian citizenship: Person voluntarily acquires foreign citizenship; without permission from Indonesian Minister of Justice. Person joins official military of a foreign country; without permission from Indonesian Minister of Justice.

Person conducts official tasks of an organization the Indonesian Government is not a member of and, according to Indonesian rules, the tasks are normally carried out only by a citizen of the country and requires him to take an oath to be devoted to the foreign country.

Person has a valid passport or other documents, in lieu of a passport, of foreign country on their behalf. Person freely takes part in the official election of a foreign country, without any obligation. Because of other than official tasks, lives in foreign country continuously for five years without declaring intention to still be an Indonesian citizen and fails to declare citizenship for two years consecutively.

ANY QUESTIONS concerning citizenship, or requests for renunciation of citizenship, should be directed to the address below:

Embassy of the Republic of Indonesia Consular Section 2020 Massachusetts Ave., NW Washington, DC 20036

Embassy/Consular Telephone: 202-775-5200 Fax: 202-775-5365

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