Civil Status Law

Purpose and scope

• Governs the civil status of citizens, the registration of civil events such as birth, marriage, divorce and death, and the issue of national ID cards and family records (Articles 1 and 2 as amended).

Key rules, rights and obligations

• All births in the Kingdom and births of Saudis abroad must be reported (Article 32), within fifteen days of birth (Article 34 as amended), or of arrival if the birth occurred while travelling (Article 35).
• Anyone who finds a newborn foundling must notify the police or the local governor immediately (Article 39).
• Either spouse may apply for the family record, and the husband is responsible if it is not requested within sixty days of the marriage (Article 50 as amended).
• A citizen must visit civil affairs after any event that changes the data on their ID or family record (Article 75).

Violations, penalties and common problems

• Giving false information: imprisonment of up to six months and a fine of up to ten thousand riyals, or either (Article 79).
• Breaching specified provisions, including those on reporting births and foundlings: a fine of up to ten thousand riyals (Article 80); other violations up to five thousand riyals (Article 81).
• Common problems: late registration of a child or a marriage, and failing to report a lost ID.

Procedures and key deadlines

• If a national ID or family record is lost or damaged, it must be reported within fifteen days of the loss or damage (Article 76 as amended).
• If a registrar refuses to record an event, they must refer it to their department within seven days (Article 19 as amended).
• Committee decisions imposing a fine or imprisonment may be challenged before the Board of Grievances within sixty days of notification (Article 85 as amended).

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.