Article 68 of the Saudi Civil Status Law
المادة 68 من نظام الأحوال المدنية
The Article allows Saudis residing abroad to apply for the personal card, renew it and report its loss or damage at the Saudi representation, as the Implementing Regulations specify.
Official text (Arabic)
This article has not been amended since the law was issued.
استثناء من حكم المادة (67) يجوز للسعوديين المقيمين في الخارج طلب الحصول على البطاقة الشخصية وطلب تجديدها والتبليغ بفقدها أو تلفها إلى الممثلية العربية السعودية في الجهة التي يقيم فيها صاحب الطلب، وتحدد اللائحة التنفيذية القواعد والإجراءات التي تتبع في هذه الأحوال.
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 68 explained in plain English
This Article deals with the situation of Saudis residing abroad, who find it difficult to go to the civil status departments inside the Kingdom.
It is an exception to Article 67, which requires every Saudi who has completed fifteen to obtain a personal card of his own, with his guardian, custodian or the agent of either carrying out the procedures required for this, makes obtaining it optional for those between six and fifteen, and provides that the card is issued from the entries of the central civil register.
What can a resident abroad do at the representation?
- Apply for the personal card.
- Apply to renew it.
- Report its loss or damage.
The body: the Saudi representation in the place where the applicant resides.
The text uses the word "may", so it makes this route available to the resident abroad instead of going to the civil status departments in the Kingdom.
Details: the Article does not set out the conditions and steps, but provides that the Implementing Regulations set the rules and procedures followed in these cases.
It is followed by Article 69, which requires every citizen to carry his personal card at all times and to produce it in transactions that call for proof of his identity and to public authority officers whenever it is requested of him.
To learn the requirements in your case, you may contact the representation or consult a lawyer who specializes in civil status and personal status cases.
Practical example
Omar has been studying in Canada for years, and his personal card is close to expiring. He may apply to renew it at the Saudi representation in the country where he resides, under the rules set by the Implementing Regulations.
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 68 of the Saudi Civil Status Law
Can the national ID be renewed from the embassy?
Yes. Saudis residing abroad may apply to renew the personal card at the Saudi representation in the place where they reside.
What do I do if I lose my ID while outside the Kingdom?
You may report its loss or damage at the Saudi representation where you reside, under the procedures set by the Implementing Regulations.
What are the conditions for obtaining an ID from abroad?
The Article does not set them; it refers the rules and procedures to the Implementing Regulations.
Articles this article refers to
More articles on National ID
- Article 2Amended by M/198
The article defines the terms of the Civil Status Law, including event, civil status, registers and committees, and the personal ID card in both its physical and digital forms.
تدل المصطلحات التالية - حيثما وردت في هذا النظام ولائحته التنفيذية - على المعاني المدونة لكل منها: أ - المديرية : هي المديرية العامة للأحوال المدنية المسئولة عن
- Article 16Amended by M/198
The Article requires the biometric features of Saudis who have reached the age of six to be recorded when entries are amended or civil statuses and events are registered, and leaves the rules to the Implementing Regulations.
عند تعديل القيود أو تسجيل الحالات والواقعات المدنية، تُسجّل الخصائص الحيوية لمن بلغ سن (السادسة) من السعوديين. وتحدد اللائحة التنفيذية الضوابط اللازمة لما ورد ف
- Article 67Amended by M/198
The Article requires every Saudi who has completed fifteen to obtain a personal card, with procedures handled by his guardian, custodian or agent, and makes it optional between six and fifteen.
يجب أن يحصل من أكمل سن (الخامسة عشرة) من السعوديين على بطاقة شخصية خاصة به، ويقوم وليه أو وصيه أو وكيل أي منهما بالإجراءات المطلوبة لذلك، ويكون ذلك اختيارياً لم
- Article 69
The Article requires every citizen to carry his personal card at all times and produce it in transactions that call for proof of his identity and to public authority officers whenever they ask.
يجب على كل مواطن حمل بطاقته الشخصية بصفة مستمرة، وعليه إبرازها عند إجراء جميع المعاملات التي تستدعي إثبات شخصيته، كما أن عليه إبرازها إلى رجال السلطة العامة كلم
- Article 70
The Article prohibits government, educational and private bodies and individuals from accepting, employing or retaining any Saudi who has completed fifteen as an employee, student or in any capacity unless he holds a personal card.
لا يجوز لأي جهة أو مصلحة حكومية أو مؤسسة عامة بما في ذلك الجامعات والمعاهد والمدارس ولا للشركات والجمعيات والمؤسسات الخاصة والأفراد أن يقبلوا أو يستخدموا أو يست
- Article 71
The Article requires those in charge of hotels, shelters and places that house the public to record the card details of every guest who has completed fifteen in their registers.
يجب على المسئولين في الفنادق والملاجئ أو ما يماثلها من الأماكن المعدة لإيواء الجمهور أن يثبتوا في سجلاتهم البيانات الموضحة في بطاقة كل من ينزل في تلك الأماكن إذ
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.