Article 71 of the Saudi Civil Status Law
المادة 71 من نظام الأحوال المدنية
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.
Official text (Arabic)
This article has not been amended since the law was issued.
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 إذا كان مكملا الخامسة عشرة من عمره.
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 71 explained in plain English
This Article places a duty on those in charge of places that house the public, which are:
- hotels;
- shelters;
- similar places prepared to house the public.
The duty: to record in their registers the details shown on the card of everyone who stays with them.
The age range: the duty covers every guest who has completed fifteen.
The person addressed by this duty is the one in charge of the place, not the guest, although in practice the guest needs to present his card so that the person in charge can record its details. The text does not specify the method of recording or the form of the register.
This Article is among the provisions that make the personal card the basis for proving identity in daily life; Article 70 prohibits government bodies, 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. It is followed by Article 72 on the family record book, which requires every Saudi head of family, subject to Article 50, to go to one of the civil status departments within three years of the Law coming into force to obtain it.
If you manage an accommodation establishment and want to be sure of your obligations, you may consult a lawyer who specializes in administrative regulations.
Practical example
A family arrived at a hotel in Abha with a 16-year-old son and a 12-year-old daughter. The hotel manager must record in the hotel's registers the card details of each parent and of the son who has completed fifteen.
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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Frequently asked questions about Article 71 of the Saudi Civil Status Law
Must a hotel record ID details?
Yes. Those in charge of hotels, shelters and similar places must record the card details of everyone staying with them who has completed fifteen.
Are the details of those under fifteen recorded at the hotel?
The duty in the text concerns those who have completed fifteen.
Does the Article cover furnished apartments?
It covers hotels, shelters and similar places prepared to house the public; the text does not list these places in detail.
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 68
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.
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
- 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
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.