Article 13 of the Saudi Notarization Law
المادة 13 من نظام التوثيق · الفصل الثالث: اختصاص كُتاب العدل
The article allows the Kingdom's consuls abroad, or those acting in their place, to carry out some of the notary's competences, in accordance with controls the Minister of Justice issues in coordination with the Minister of Foreign Affairs.
Official text (Arabic)
This article has not been amended since the law was issued.
يتولى قناصل المملكة في الخارج أو من يقوم مقامهم بعض اختصاصات كاتب العدل، وفق ضوابط تصدر بقرار من الوزير بالتنسيق مع وزير الخارجية.
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 13 explained in plain English
This article addresses the need of someone who is outside the Kingdom and needs notarization. It provides that the Kingdom's consuls abroad or those acting in their place carry out some of the notary's competences.
The key points of the article:
- The consul does not carry out all the notary's competences, but only some of them.
- These competences and how they are exercised are determined in accordance with controls issued by decision of the Minister of Justice in coordination with the Minister of Foreign Affairs.
- The provision covers the consul or whoever acts in their place.
Under Article 1, a notary is competent to notarize contracts and acknowledgments. The article does not specify which of these acts a consul may notarize; that is left to the ministerial controls, and it should not be assumed that everything a notary notarizes inside the Kingdom can be notarized at the consulate.
Therefore, anyone who wants notarization from abroad should check in advance with the consulate or embassy what type of notarization is available there. For important transactions, it is advisable to consult a lawyer specializing in notarization work.
Practical example
Sultan is studying abroad and wants to authorize his father in Riyadh to follow up a transaction. He can contact the Saudi consulate in the country where he studies to ask whether this type of notarization is among what the controls issued to consuls allow.
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 13 of the Saudi Notarization Law
Can a power of attorney be notarized at the Saudi consulate?
The article allows consuls to carry out some of the notary's competences in accordance with ministerial controls, so those controls or the consulate should be consulted to know what falls within them.
Does a consul have all the powers of a notary?
No. The text limits it to some of the notary's competences.
Who sets the controls for notarization at consulates?
They are issued by decision of the Minister of Justice in coordination with the Minister of Foreign Affairs.
More articles on Powers of the Notary Public
- Article 11Amended by M/21
The article sets the notary's competence to notarize contracts and acknowledgments, and lists ten matters they notarize in particular, including divorce, settlement, endowments, partition and conveying deeds.
يختص كاتب العدل بتوثيق العقود والإقرارات، وله على وجه خاص توثيق ما يأتي: 1- الطلاق والخلع والرجعة. 2- الصلح. 3- عقد الزواج إذا كان أحد طرفيه سعودي الجنسية والآخ
- Article 12Amended by M/21
The article prevents a notary from notarizing an acknowledgment or contract where a party lacks or has limited capacity, is absent, or is an endowment or will administrator, except in five specific cases.
لا يختص كاتب العدل بتوثيق أي إقرار أو عقد يكون أحد طرفيه عديم الأهلية أو ناقصها، أو غائباً، أو ناظر وقف أو وصية، إلا في الحالات الآتية: 1- قبول الهبة. 2- تصرفات
- Article 15Amended (1444 AH)
The article lists the work a licensed notary notarizes, such as conveying deeds, powers of attorney, mortgages, company contracts and financial suretyship, without prejudice to Articles 11 and 12.
دون إخلال بما ورد في المادتين (الحادية عشرة) و(الثانية عشرة) من النظام، يعهد إلى الموثق -وفق أحكام النظام- توثيق ما يأتي: 1- إفراغ صكوك الملكية العقارية، وفقاً
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.