In brief
Records each citizen's civil status: births, deaths, marriage, divorce and name changes, the national ID and family register, reporting deadlines and penalties.
Summary of the law
Key points
- Births, deaths, marriages and divorces must be reported within set periods; late reports follow Article 20.
- Some violations, such as false statements, carry up to six months' imprisonment and SAR 10,000, or either (Article 79).
An advisory summary prepared by Al-Bayan Al-Wadih Law Firm. It is not an official text and does not replace the law, its implementing regulations, or advice from a specialised lawyer. The official published text and its amendments prevail.
What it covers
- Recording civil events
- National ID and family register
- Reporting deadlines
- Penalties
Timeline
- Issued: Royal Decree M/7 · 20/4/1407H
- Amendments: Royal Decree M/25 · 1/6/1422H. Amendment to some articles (shown on the law's page at the Bureau of Experts)
- Amendments: Royal Decree M/11 · 4/3/1426H. Amendment to some articles (shown on the law's page at the Bureau of Experts)
- Amendments: Royal Decree M/51 · 6/8/1427H. Amendment to some articles (shown on the law's page at the Bureau of Experts)
- Amendments: Royal Decree M/28 · 21/5/1434H. Amendment to some articles (shown on the law's page at the Bureau of Experts)
- Amendments: Royal Decree M/134 · 27/11/1440H. Amendment to some articles (shown on the law's page at the Bureau of Experts)
Full record of amendments and regulations at the official source
Official text at the Bureau of Experts
The authoritative text is in Arabic; the Bureau of Experts publishes English translations for some laws.
Full official text
The full official text is in Arabic and is reproduced on the Arabic version of this page, as published by the Bureau of Experts at the Council of Ministers. Read the full Arabic text
Library content is simplified general information for awareness only. It is not legal advice and does not replace the official text. Laws change: always check the official source and consult a lawyer before acting. Library data last reviewed: .