Article 77 of the Saudi Civil Status Law
المادة 77 من نظام الأحوال المدنية
The Article requires, when a holder loses Saudi nationality, the personal card and family record book to be presented to civil status to withdraw the card and annotate or withdraw the book as the Regulations specify.
Official text (Arabic)
This article has not been amended since the law was issued.
عند زوال صفة الجنسية السعودية عن حاملها لأي سبب من الأسباب يجب تقديم البطاقة الشخصية ودفتر العائلة إلى إحدى دوائر الأحوال المدنية لسحب البطاقة والتأشير على دفتر العائلة أو سحبه، وتحدد اللائحة التنفيذية حالات السحب أو التأشير.
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 77 explained in plain English
This Article regulates the effect of loss of Saudi nationality on civil status documents.
When does it apply? When Saudi nationality ceases for its holder for any reason; the text does not limit the reasons.
The duty: to present the personal card and the family record book to one of the civil status departments.
What civil status does:
- Withdraws the personal card.
- Either annotates the family record book or withdraws it.
Details: the Article does not say when an annotation on the book is enough and when it is withdrawn, but provides that the Implementing Regulations set the cases of withdrawal or annotation.
The Article does not set a particular period for presenting the documents in this case. It comes after Article 76, which requires, when the card or family record book is lost or damaged, notification within fifteen days and obtaining a replacement under the procedures of the Implementing Regulations, and before Article 78, with which the penalty provisions begin, providing for punishing violators of the provisions of the Law with the penalties set in the Articles that follow it, without prejudice to any more severe penalty provided for by other laws.
Because nationality matters have effects on the family and its documents, it is advisable to consult a lawyer who specializes in civil status and personal status cases in the particular case.
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 77 of the Saudi Civil Status Law
What happens to the national ID when Saudi nationality ceases?
It must be presented to one of the civil status departments to be withdrawn.
Is the family record book withdrawn when nationality is lost?
The family record book is annotated or withdrawn, and the Implementing Regulations set the cases of withdrawal or annotation.
Does the Article apply to all reasons for loss of nationality?
Yes. The text covers the cessation of Saudi nationality for its holder for any reason.
More articles on National ID
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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
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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
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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
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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
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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.