Estate Settlement Checklist Indonesia: Step-by-Step for Expat Families

When someone dies in Indonesia, the administrative sequence is strict and sequential — each document depends on the previous one, and a missing stamp at any stage freezes everything downstream. This checklist follows the actual order that Indonesian government agencies, banks, and courts require.

Phase 1: First 24 Hours

Secure the medical cause of death certificate. If the death occurred in hospital, the attending physician issues a Visum (medical death statement). If the death occurred at home, police will conduct a mandatory investigation — expect a forensic autopsy costing USD 1,700–2,000 in Bali. Hospital deaths bypass police involvement entirely.

Obtain the neighbourhood death report. The local RT (Neighbourhood Association) and RW (Community Association) chiefs must issue a community-level death confirmation (Surat Keterangan Kematian). This requires the medical statement, the deceased's KTP or passport, and witness identification.

Arrange immediate disposition. Indonesian public health laws expect burial or cremation within 24 hours (primarily for the Muslim majority). Non-Muslims have more flexibility, but embalming is required if disposition is delayed. Hospital refrigeration storage runs USD 25–60 per day in Bali.

Phase 2: First Week

Register with Dukcapil. File Form F-2.01 at the Civil Registry Office (Dinas Kependudukan dan Pencatatan Sipil) to obtain the official death certificate (Kutipan Akta Kematian). You'll need: the completed form, hospital death letter, RT/RW death report, the deceased's KTP/passport, family card (KK), and KTPs of the applicant and two witnesses. The certificate itself is legally free under Law 24/2013. Processing takes approximately 2 business days.

Notify banks immediately. Once you have the Akta Kematian, notify all commercial banks where the deceased held accounts. Banks will freeze checking, savings, and term deposit accounts. This sounds harsh, but it protects the estate from unauthorised withdrawals. Do not try to use the deceased's ATM card or online banking — this constitutes fraud under Indonesian law.

Notify the employer (if the deceased was on a work visa). The corporate sponsor must issue a death notification to the Regional Manpower Department (Disnaker).

Phase 3: First Month

Search the Central Wills Register. A licensed Notary runs a formal search under the Directorate General of Legal Administrative Affairs (AHU) to check whether the deceased registered a will in Indonesia.

Obtain the Certificate of Inheritance. The Surat Keterangan Ahli Waris (SKW) identifies legal heirs and their shares. For foreign nationals, this is typically drafted by a Notary as a formal deed. Cost: 0.5%–1.0% of estate value.

Cancel the visa. Submit the Akta Kematian to the local Immigration Office for EPO cancellation. The Manpower Confirmation Letter from Disnaker is required for work visa holders.

Notify your embassy. Request a Consular Report of Death Abroad (CRODA) — needed for home-country insurance claims, social security notifications, and probate proceedings.

File for guardianship (if minor heirs exist). A court-appointed guardian must be established, and the BHP (Heritage Office) enters as Supervising Guardian. The guardian takes a formal oath and submits to annual asset audits.

Phase 4: First 6 Months

Clear tax obligations. Check the deceased's Land and Building Tax (PBB) status for the last 5 years. Calculate BPHTB inheritance tax on any real estate: 5% × (assessed value minus regional tax-free threshold), with many regions applying a 50% inheritance discount.

File the BPN title transfer (Turun Waris). Submit the original land certificate, Akta Kematian, certified SKW, heirs' identity documents, current PBB receipt, and validated BPHTB payment to the Land Office. If filed within 6 months of death, the BPN registration fee is waived.

Release bank accounts. Submit the formal Notarial SKW or Court Determination (for balances over Rp 10 million), all heirs' KTPs, original passbooks, and the signed Letter of Indemnity.

Phase 5: Before the One-Year Deadline

Resolve foreign-held freehold property. If a foreign heir inherited Hak Milik land, they must either sell it to an Indonesian citizen or convert the title to Hak Pakai within one year of death. Missing this deadline means automatic forfeiture to the state.

Claim pension and insurance benefits. File with BPJS Ketenagakerjaan for JKM death benefits and JHT balance. For civil servants, file with PT Taspen (forms AKT 3, KPPG, SPTB, FPP). For military/police, file with PT Asabri. The pension claim limitation is 5 years.

File home-country insurance claims. Use the CRODA, Indonesian Akta Kematian, medical reports, police reports, and expense receipts to submit claims to travel or expat health insurance providers.

The Complete Resource

This checklist covers the sequence, but each step has its own document requirements, agency contacts, and potential pitfalls. The Indonesia Expat Death Guide provides the full playbook — every form, every fee, every deadline — with bilingual templates so you can navigate each agency without relying entirely on expensive professional intermediaries.

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