PROBLEM TO BE SOLVED: To provide a method and apparatus for manufacturing an underpants type absorbent article, capable of easily manufacturing the underpants type absorbent article which is easy to pull up toward the waist of a wearer.SOLUTION: A method for manufacturing an underpants type absorbent article 200 includes forming a handle 35 by folding downward the end part of a waist part opening 201, and welding a prescribed position spaced in the circumferential direction of the folded part 30. In the method, in a first position where a projected mold part 110 to be covered by the underpants type absorbent article before welding from the waist part opening is most separated from welding means 122 while the end part of the waist part opening is folded, in a state where the underpants type absorbent article with the folded end part of the waist part opening covers the mold part from the waist part opening side, the mold part is relatively made close to the welding means, and a prescribed position of the folded part is welded by the welding means.
