How Long Does the Process Take from AJB to Obtaining SHM?

Many people believe that the Deed of Sale and Purchase (AJB) automatically changes ownership of land or a house into a Certificate of Ownership (SHM). However, AJB is merely one stage in the process of transferring land rights. This document cannot yet serve as proof of land ownership recorded at the National Land Agency (BPN). After the AJB is signed, the new owner must still handle the certificate name transfer process at the land office so that the ownership status is officially recorded in their name. So, how long does the SHM process take from the issuance of the AJB by the Land Deed Official (PPAT) office? It should be noted that the AJB is a document prepared by the PPAT official as valid proof of a land or building sale transaction. The fully recognised proof of ownership remains the land certificate that has been transferred in name or upgraded in status to SHM or other certificates issued by the BPN. Legal practitioner Adyanisa Septya Yuslandari, S.H., M.Kn, explains that in general, the process from AJB to the completion of the name-transferred certificate takes around 3-12 months, and it can be faster or slower. The duration of the process depends on several factors, such as the completeness of documents, service queues at the land office, the location of the land object, the presence or absence of administrative obstacles, and the previous certificate status. If all documents are complete and there are no administrative issues, the name transfer process can be completed in a short time. “Usually around 3-12 months, depending on the local ATR BPN region, the completeness of files, and the condition of the land (whether registered or not),” said Adyanisa when contacted on Wednesday (6/5/2026). Moreover, if the land being transferred has not yet been certified, the SHM issuance process at the land office can take even longer. “If the land is not certified at all, it can take even longer,” Adyanisa revealed. The process can proceed faster if all requirements are complete from the start and the application is submitted immediately after the AJB is signed. Therefore, buyers are advised not to delay handling the name transfer to quickly obtain legal certainty over land ownership. In other words, although signing the AJB marks the validity of the sale transaction, ownership is only truly strong administratively after the certificate is completed in the new owner’s name or officially issued as SHM.