U.S. EMBASSY WARDEN MESSAGE

U.S. Embassy Jakarta
U.S. Consulate General Surabaya
U.S. Consulate Medan
June 4, 2008

Requirement for all International NGOs to Register with the Government of the Republic of Indonesia’s Ministry of Foreign Affairs

The U.S. Embassy in Jakarta, Indonesia, informs American citizens that the Government of Indonesia’s Ministry of Foreign Affairs (DEPLU) recently informed the Embassy that under Indonesian law, all international NGOs working in Indonesia, including those working with the U.S. Embassy, other foreign donor governments, or funded by private contributions, are required to register with DEPLU. 

Guidance on the “Process and Procedures for Registration of International non-Governmental Organizations,” is posted on DEPLU’s website at http://www.deplu.go.id under the link, “Proses Dan Tata Cara Pendaftaran Organisasi Internasional Non Pemerintah.”

DEPLU has stated its objective is to have all international NGOs registered no later than June 30, 2008.  Requests for registration received after this date will be handled by DEPLU on a case-by-case basis. 

The USAID Procurement Office has issued a Contract Notice to inform USAID implementing partners, namely those which are considered international NGOs by the GOI, of this registration requirement.  

One of the Government of Indonesia’s registration requirements is to have the U.S. Embassy issue a Letter of Recommendation in support of a U.S. NGO.  NGOs affiliated with USAID should contact cherwilliams@usaid.gov for assistance in acquiring that letter.  U.S. NGOs not affiliated with USAID should contact the Consular Section of the Embassy at jakartaacs@state.gov to request the letter.  The request should include the following information:

• Name of the Organization, Legal Status in the United States, Date Founded, Address of the organization in the U.S., Name of the Director(s) in the United States, Address in Indonesia, and Name of Representative in Indonesia;
• Copy of the organization’s State Certification of Incorporation
• Copy of the organization’s Tax Exemption Status Qualification Letter from the Internal Revenue Service;
• Copy of passport for local representative.

The Embassy will usually be able to issue the letter within one week. 

For more information about DEPLU’s international NGO registration requirement, please contact the U.S. Embassy USAID’s office at cherwilliams@usaid.gov or the Consular Section at jakartaacs@state.gov.