Indonesia, Naturalization and Citizenship Records - FamilySearch Historical Records

Indonesia

What is in the Collection?
This article describes records held by FamilySearch, International. For information on a specific record collection or record publication please refer to the FamilySearch Catalog or the FamilySearch Historical Record Collection.

Record Background
Indonesia is an island nation inhabited since 2000 BC. It was colonized by the Dutch in 1602 and gained its independence in 1949. As a country dependent on agriculture as well as trade with foreign nations, it is a country filled with several languages, religions, and peoples. The custom of naming children is one example of diversity: In general, the everyday Indonesian typically will have only one name, while those of the middle class more often have two names like in Western cultures. In other words, longer names may be an indicator of an individual’s social status.

Immigration to Indonesia also took place when huge populations from the Indian subcontinent visited the country and settled there. For working in Indonesia, the foreigners have to send their application to the immigration office. Beginning with the Dutch colonial period until the year 2000, the policy of forced migration (transmigrasi) to move people from heavily population areas to more sparsely populated ones to reduce poverty and overcrowding was actively practiced.

Naturalization and citizenship records were created by district courts (Pengadilan Negeri) and local civil registration offices in Indonesia. The Surat Bukti Kewarganegaraan Republik Indonesia (SBKRI), or applications for citizenship, were primarily filled out by Chinese immigrants to Indonesia. The Surat Pernyataan Keterangan Melepaskan Kewarganegaraan Republik Rakyat Tionkok Untuk Tetap Menjadi Warganegara Republik Indonesia were exclusively used for Chinese nationals.

Collection Contents
During the naturalization process an individual was required to produce multiple documents to establish their identity. Because of this these records contain materials that may be duplicated in other collections.

The collections may include the following record types:
 * Kartu Tanda Penduduk Warga Negara : Identity cards
 * Permohonan Ahli Waris : Court decrees of inheritance
 * Permohonan Akte Kelahiran : Applications for birth certificate
 * Permohonan Akte Perkawinan : Applications for marriage certificate
 * Permohonan Anak Angkat : Applications for adoption of a child
 * Permohonan Ganti Nama : Applications for name changes
 * Permohonan Pewarganegaraan : Applications for naturalization
 * Permohonan Surat bukti kewarganegaraan Republik Indonesia (SBKRI) : Proof of Indonesian Citizenship
 * Surat Pernyataan Keterangan Melepaskan Kewarganegaraan Republik Rakyat Tionkok Untuk Tetap Menjadi Warganegara Republik Indonesia : Renunciation of Chinese citizenship and acceptance of Indonesian citizenship

Court Decrees of Inheritance
Court Decrees of Inheritance (Permohonan Ahli Waris) • 2

Applications for Naturalization
Applications for Naturalization (Pewarganegaraan) • 2

Identity Cards
Identity Cards (Kartu Tanda Penduduk) • 2

Name Change Applications
Name Change Applications (Ganti Nama) • 2

Proof of Indonesian Citizenship
Proof of Indonesian Citizenship (Surat Bukti Kewarganegaraan Republik Indonesia) • 2 These records were not required for Chinese Indonesians after 20 January 1962.

Renunciation of Chinese Citizenship
Renunciation of Chinese Citizenship (Melepaskan kewarganegaraan Republik Rakjat Tiongkok) • 2

Research Helps
The following articles will help you in your research for your family in Indonesia.
 * Record Finder

Related FamilySearch Historical Records Collections
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Indonésia, Registros de Naturalização e Cidadania (Registros Históricos do FamilySearch) Bahasa Indonesia