Article 15 of the Saudi Child Protection Law
المادة 15 من نظام حماية الطفل · الفصل الرابع: حق الطفل في الرعاية والمسؤولية تجاهه
The article makes the parents or whoever cares for the child responsible for the child's upbringing and protection within their capabilities, guarantees visitation rights on separation, and gives the mother the right to custody unless a court judgment provides otherwise.
Official text after amendments (Arabic)
Compiled from the original text and every officially published amendment; the amendments are shown in full below for comparison.
1- يعد والدا الطفل - أو أحدهما ، أو من يقوم على رعايته - مسؤولين في حدود إمكاناتهما المالية وقدراتهما عن تربيته وضمان حقوقه، والعمل على توفير الرعاية له، وحمايته من الإيذاء والإهمال.
2- تتخذ الجهات ذات العلاقة التدابير اللازمة لضمان التزام والدي الطفل - أو من يقوم على رعايته - بتحمل مسؤولياتهما تجاهه، وحفظ حقوقه، وحمايته من الإيذاء والإهمال.
3- في حالة انفصال الوالدين، يضمن للطفل حق الزيارة والاتصال بأي منهما؛ ما لم تقتض مصلحته غير ذلك.
4- في حال انفصال الوالدين للأم الحق في حضانة أولادها، ولا ينزع هذا الحق إلا بحكم قضائي
This is the official Arabic wording, the only legally binding version. We do not translate the law itself; the explanation below is ours. Official source: Bureau of Experts at the Council of Ministers
Article 15 explained in plain English
This article sets out responsibility toward the child, who under Article 1 is every human being who has not exceeded eighteen years of age. It contains four provisions:
- Responsibility of the parents: the child's parents, or one of them, or whoever is responsible for the child's care are responsible, within their financial means and capabilities, for the child's upbringing, ensuring the child's rights, providing care and protecting the child from abuse and neglect. Neglect under Article 1 is failing to provide the child's basic needs or falling short in them, whether physical, health, emotional, psychological, educational or other.
- Role of the relevant authorities: they take the measures necessary to ensure that the parents or whoever cares for the child comply with their responsibilities and to preserve the child's rights and protect the child.
- Visitation and contact on separation: the child's right to visit and contact either parent is guaranteed, unless the child's interest requires otherwise.
- The mother's custody: if the parents separate, the mother has the right to custody of her children, and this right may not be removed except by a court judgment.
The fourth paragraph was added by Royal Decree No. M/72 dated 6/8/1443 AH. It means that custody cannot be taken from the mother by an action of the father or anyone else without a court judgment. The article does not set out the grounds or conditions for removing custody. Article 16 requires all authorities to take the child's interest into account in all procedures taken concerning the child and to expedite them.
Anyone with a custody or visitation dispute is advised to consult a lawyer who specializes in personal status cases.
Practical example
Sara has separated from her husband and they have two children. Sara keeps custody of the two children, and her former husband has no right to take them from her without a court judgment. In return, the children are guaranteed the right to visit and contact their father, unless their interest requires otherwise.
Translated from our Arabic explanation with machine assistance. For guidance only; it does not replace advice from a lawyer on your situation.
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Active contributorFrequently asked questions about Article 15 of the Saudi Child Protection Law
Can the father remove custody of the children from the mother after divorce?
No. The mother has the right to custody of her children when the parents separate, and this right may not be removed except by a court judgment.
Does a child have the right to visit the father after the parents separate?
Yes. The child's right to visit and contact either parent is guaranteed unless the child's interest requires otherwise.
Is the parents' responsibility for the child unlimited?
Their responsibility for the child's upbringing, ensuring the child's rights and protection is within their financial means and capabilities.
Amendment history
Royal Decree No. M/72 — 6/8/1443 AH
Official amendment text (Arabic)
- إضافة فقرة تحمل الرقم (4) لهذه المادة وذلك بموجب المرسوم الملكي رقم (م/72) وتاريخ 1443/8/6هـ، وتكون بالنص الآتي:
"في حال انفصال الوالدين للأم الحق في حضانة أولادها، ولا ينزع هذا الحق إلا بحكم قضائي".
Original text before the amendments (Arabic)
1- يعد والدا الطفل - أو أحدهما ، أو من يقوم على رعايته - مسؤولين في حدود إمكاناتهما المالية وقدراتهما عن تربيته وضمان حقوقه، والعمل على توفير الرعاية له، وحمايته من الإيذاء والإهمال.
2- تتخذ الجهات ذات العلاقة التدابير اللازمة لضمان التزام والدي الطفل - أو من يقوم على رعايته - بتحمل مسؤولياتهما تجاهه، وحفظ حقوقه، وحمايته من الإيذاء والإهمال.
3- في حالة انفصال الوالدين، يضمن للطفل حق الزيارة والاتصال بأي منهما؛ ما لم تقتض مصلحته غير ذلك.
The texts are reproduced from the official website of the Bureau of Experts at the Council of Ministers for reference; where they differ, the officially published Arabic text prevails. This content is not legal advice.