Identity & family
Wills, inheritance and powers of attorney in Indonesia
Understand Indonesian inheritance systems, will preparation, heir documents, powers of attorney and notary review.
English edition. Official forms and source documents may be in Indonesian.
QUICK ANSWER
How do wills, inheritance and powers of attorney work in Indonesia?
Indonesia has no single will form suitable for every family. Islamic, civil or customary inheritance rules may apply; heirs’ rights and will formalities need review. A power of attorney authorises specified acts while the grantor has legal authority; it is not a substitute for inheritance or elder-care rules.
See 3 official references ↓Open the official service ↗peraturan.bpk.go.id
Guide contents
What you need to make a will or power of attorney
- List assets, debts, shared ownership and potential heirs.
- Identity, marriage, birth and ownership records plus the exact authority to be delegated.
How to make a will or power of attorney
Map family and estate
Record close relatives, marriage history, personal or shared assets and liabilities.
Identify the legal framework
Check whether Islamic, civil or customary rules apply; cross-border estates and mixed marriages need special review.
Review document form
Discuss will form and proof with an appropriate notary or adviser; do not use a UK template.
Limit an authorisation
For a power of attorney, identify the agent, acts, assets, duration and revocation; confirm required form with the receiving institution.
How much it costs to make a will or power of attorney
Since Government Regulation 30/2026 took effect (around 1 August 2026), Ministry of Law fees for wills and inheritance are: will certificate (Surat Keterangan Wasiat) Rp500,000; registering an open will at the Estate Office (Balai Harta Peninggalan) Rp200,000 per deed; opening a sealed will Rp500,000; and an inheritance certificate issued by the Estate Office Rp200,000. Notary, legalisation and court costs are separate and vary by region; ask for a written breakdown before signing.
| Service | Fee |
|---|---|
| Will certificate (Directorate General of General Legal Administration) | Rp500,000 per certificate |
| Registering an open will (Estate Office) | Rp200,000 per deed |
| Opening a sealed will (Estate Office) | Rp500,000 per will |
| Inheritance certificate (Estate Office) | Rp200,000 per certificate |
Check current requirements, availability and charges through the official reference ↗ before applying or paying.
Will versus power of attorney
A will deals with arrangements after death and may be limited by heirs’ rights. A power of attorney authorises specified acts; banks or land offices may demand their own form. Neither permits unauthorised transfer of another person’s assets.
Things to check carefully
- An overseas will does not automatically operate the same way in Indonesia.
- Hukumonline is secondary explanation; check applicable law and case-specific advice.
Frequently asked questions
Is a power of attorney a will?
No. Purpose, effect, authorised people and formalities differ.
How much do a will certificate and an inheritance certificate cost?
Under Government Regulation 30/2026 on Ministry of Law fees, a will certificate costs Rp500,000 and an inheritance certificate issued by the Estate Office (Balai Harta Peninggalan) Rp200,000. Notary and court costs are separate.
Additional non-government reading
Hukumonline Klinik: civil-law will formalities ↗
Secondary legal explanation; use the applicable law and obtain case-specific advice.
Reviewed 23 September 2026.
Hukumonline Klinik: Islamic inheritance wills ↗
Additional secondary explanation of Islamic inheritance wills; check the governing law for your family.
Reviewed 23 September 2026.
Sources and review
Editorial review of public information: . This is not a review by an agency officer or a professional adviser. Reviewed by Kaiser Khan, publisher of Panduan Warga. Official document titles are retained below.
- Inpres 1/1991: penyebarluasan Kompilasi Hukum Islam ↗peraturan.bpk.go.id · Accessed 1 October 2026
- JDIH BPK: PP 30/2026 tentang jenis dan tarif PNBP Kementerian Hukum ↗peraturan.bpk.go.id · Accessed 1 October 2026
- BPJS Ketenagakerjaan: dokumen ahli waris untuk klaim ↗www.bpjsketenagakerjaan.go.id · Accessed 1 October 2026
Current agency rules take precedence. Editorial method · Report a correction · Markdown version