Malaysia Judicial Assistance

Party to Hague Service Convention? No
Party to Hague Evidence Convention? No
Party to Hague Apostille Convention? No
Party to Inter-American Convention? No
Service of Process by Mail? N/A

THE INFORMATION RELATING TO THE LEGAL REQUIREMENTS OF SPECIFIC FOREIGN COUNTRIES IS PROVIDED FOR GENERAL INFORMATION ONLY AND MAY NOT BE TOTALLY ACCURATE IN A PARTICULAR CASE. QUESTIONS INVOLVING INTERPRETATION OF SPECIFIC FOREIGN LAWS SHOULD BE ADDRESSED TO FOREIGN ATTORNEYS. THIS CIRCULAR SEEKS ONLY TO PROVIDE INFORMATION; IT IS NOT AN OPINION ON ANY ASPECT OF U.S., FOREIGN, OR INTERNATIONAL LAW. THE U.S. DEPARTMENT OF STATE DOES NOT INTEND BY THE CONTENTS OF THIS CIRCULAR TO TAKE A POSITION ON ANY ASPECT OF ANY PENDING LITIGATION.

Embassies and Consulates
U.S. Embassy Kuala Lumpur
376 Jalan Tun Razak
50400, Kuala Lumpur
Malaysia
Telephone: (60-3) 2168-4997/4979
Emergency Telephone: (60-3) 2168-5000 (press 1 at the recording)
Fax: (60-3) 2148-5801
klacs@state.gov
List of Attorneys
E-mail the U.S. Embassy Kuala Lumpur at KLACS@state.gov for a list.
Helpful Links
None.
Service of Process

Malaysia is not a party to the Hague Service Convention.  In the absence of any prohibition against it, service of process in Malaysia may be effected by mail, by agent, such as a local attorney, or through letters rogatory. Litigants may wish to consult an attorney in Malaysia before pursuing a particular method of service of process, particularly if enforcement of a U.S. judgment is contemplated in the future.

Service on a Foreign State:  See also our Service Under the Foreign Sovereign Immunities Act (FSIA) feature and FSIA Checklist for questions about service on a foreign state, agency or instrumentality.

Criminal Matters

Prosecution Requests:  U.S. federal or state prosecutors should also contact the Office of International Affairs, Criminal Division, Department of Justice for guidance.

Defense Requests in Criminal Matters:  Criminal defendants or their defense counsel seeking judicial assistance in obtaining evidence or in effecting service of documents abroad in connection with criminal matters may do so via the letters rogatory process.

Obtaining Evidence in Civil and Commercial Matters
None.
Taking Voluntary Depositions of Willing Witnesses
Malaysian authorities have advised the U.S. Embassy that voluntary depositions of willing witnesses in civil and commercial matters may be taken before U.S. consular officers in Malaysia. Malaysia is not a party to the Hague Evidence Convention. Voluntary depositions may be conducted in Malaysia regardless of the nationality of the witness, provided no compulsion is used. Oral depositions or depositions on written questions may be taken by U.S. consular officers or by private attorneys from the United States or Malaysia at the U.S. Embassy or at another location such as a hotel or office, either on notice or pursuant to a commission. If the services of a U.S. consular officer are required to administer an oath to the witness, interpreter and stenographer, such arrangements must be made in advance with the U.S. embassy directly.
Authentication of Documents
Malaysia is not a party to the Hague Convention Abolishing the Legalization of Foreign Public Documents.  Documents issued in the United States may be authenticated for use in Malaysia by (a) contacting the U.S. Department of State Authentications Officeand (b) then having the seal of the U.S. Department of State authenticated by the Embassy of Malaysia in Washington, D.C. Documents issued in U.S. states must first be authenticated by the designated state authority, generally the state Secretary of State.