Americans traveling or living in Indonesia are subject to the Indonesian Laws. Please bear in mind that the Embassy is limited by jurisdiction in the assistance it can provide to Americans arrested in Indonesia. The U.S. Government has no funds for your legal fees or other related expenses.
We cannot:
- Get U.S. citizens out of jail overseas
- State to a court that anyone is guilty or innocent
- Provide legal advice or represent U.S. citizens in court overseas
- Serve as official interpreters or translators
- Pay legal, medical, or other fees for U.S. citizens overseas
- Provide any guarantee letter
Although Consular officers cannot serve as attorneys or give legal advice, they can provide a list of local attorneys. However, neither the Department of State nor the U.S. Embassy/Consulate can assume any responsibility for the caliber, competence, or professional integrity of these attorneys.
A consular officer will do whatever he/she can to protect your legitimate interests and ensure that you are not discriminated against under local law. If you are arrested, immediately ask that a Consular officer at the U.S. Embassy be notified. Our emergency contact number is +62-21-5083-1000 – inform the operator what is the emergency, who you are, your location and any contact number where you can be reach, in case the line cut off. If you are turned down, keep asking–politely, but persistently. If unsuccessful, try to have someone get in touch with us on your behalf.
Upon learning of your arrest, a U.S. Consular Officer will visit you, provide a list of local attorneys, inform the Department of State of your arrest and, if requested, contact family or friends in the U.S. or elsewhere*.
*Please note: the U.S. Department of State will not disclose the information you provide unless you have given us written authorization to do so. If you wish us to contact someone on your behalf, please complete the authorization form (Privacy Act Waiver), specifying whom a U.S. Consular Officer may contact and to whom to release information with regard to your case. Please return the completed authorization to the Consular Officer, or scan email it to jakartaacs@state.gov or fax it to 021-3857189.
Please note: The Department of State assumes no responsibility or liability for the professional ability or reputation of, or the quality of services provided by, the entities or individuals whose names appear on the following lists. Inclusion on this list is in no way an endorsement by the Department or the U.S. government. Names are listed alphabetically, and the order in which they appear has no other significance. The information on the list is provided directly by the local service providers; the Department is not in a position to vouch for such information.
