Article 18 of the Saudi Notarization Law
المادة 18 من نظام التوثيق · الفصل الثاني: مأذونو عقود النكاح
The article entrusts the marriage officiant with notarizing marriage contracts where both parties are Saudis or both are non-Saudis, as set out in the Regulations.
Official text (Arabic)
This article has not been amended since the law was issued.
يُعهد إلى المأذون بتوثيق عقود النكاح إذا كان كلا طرفيه سعوديين، أو غير سعوديين، وذلك وفقاً لما تبينه اللائحة.
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 18 explained in plain English
This article sets out the competence of the marriage officiant, who under Article 1 is a person who notarizes marriage contracts under a license issued in accordance with the Law.
The marriage officiant is entrusted with notarizing a marriage contract in two cases:
- where both parties are Saudis.
- where both parties are non-Saudis.
This is in accordance with what the Implementing Regulations set out, so the details and procedures are left to them.
The article does not mention the case in which one party is a Saudi and the other is not, so it does not fall within the two cases that this article entrusts to the marriage officiant. Anyone whose marriage is of this kind should check which body is competent to notarize it, and can consult a lawyer specializing in personal status.
The marriage officiant is subject to specific conditions set out in Article 19, including being a Saudi national, holding a university degree in Sharia sciences, and passing a written examination prepared by the competent department.
Practical example
Ahmed and his fiancée are both Saudis living in Riyadh. They can notarize their marriage contract with a licensed marriage officiant under this article. Likewise, a married couple resident in the Kingdom of non-Saudi nationality can notarize with the marriage officiant as set out in the 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 18 of the Saudi Notarization Law
Does the marriage officiant marry non-Saudis?
Yes. The marriage officiant is entrusted with notarizing marriage contracts where both parties are non-Saudis, as set out in the Regulations.
Does the marriage officiant notarize the marriage of a Saudi to a non-Saudi?
This article limits the marriage officiant's competence to the two cases in which both parties are Saudis or both are non-Saudis, and does not mention mixed marriage.
More articles on The Marriage Officiant
- Article 19
The article sets five conditions for the marriage officiant: Saudi nationality, good conduct with an exception for those 5 years past completing a sentence, medical fitness, a Sharia university degree, and passing a written exam.
يُشترط في المأذون ما يأتي: 1- أن يكون سعودي الجنسية. 2- أن يكون حسن السيرة والسلوك، وألا يكون محكوماً عليه بجريمة مخلة بالدين أو الشرف، ما لم يكن قد مضى على انت
- Article 33
The article requires the marriage officiant, before performing a marriage contract, to verify that the pillars and conditions are met, that no impediments exist between the spouses, and that the guardian required under Sharia is present.
يجب على المأذون -قبل إجراء عقد النكاح- التحقق من توافر الأركان والشروط وانتفاء الموانع في الزوجين وحضور الولي المقرر شرعاً.
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.