Wafer processing method

A wafer processing method for processing a wafer of a two-layer structure having a second wafer laminated on a front surface of a first wafer, the first wafer being provided on the front surface with a device region in which a plurality of devices are formed in a state of being partitioned by a plurality of intersecting streets and a peripheral surplus region surrounding the device region, the wafer processing method comprising:

• a stepped part forming step of cutting from the second wafer side to the peripheral surplus region of the first wafer to a depth corresponding to a finished thickness of the first wafer, thereby removing a chamfered part formed at a peripheral end of the second wafer and forming an annular stepped part in the peripheral surplus region of the first wafer;
• a second wafer grinding step of, after the stepped part forming step is carried out, grinding an exposed surface of the second wafer to make the second wafer have a predetermined thickness;
• an annular modified layer forming step of, after the second wafer grinding step is carried out, applying a laser beam of such a wavelength as to be transmitted through the first wafer while positioning a focal point of the laser beam inside a base of the stepped part formed in the peripheral surplus region of the first wafer to form an annular modified layer;
• a protective tape disposing step of, after the annular modified layer forming step is carried out, disposing a protective tape of a size corresponding to the first wafer on the exposed surface of the second wafer;
• and
• a first wafer grinding step of, after the protective tape disposing step is carried out, grinding an exposed surface of the first wafer to give a stimulus to the modified layer, to separate a ring-shaped region including the stepped part from the first wafer along the modified layer, to drop the region onto the protective tape, and to grind the first wafer to the finished thickness.