Article 27 of the Saudi Notarization Law
المادة 27 من نظام التوثيق · الفصل الأول: الواجبات والمحظورات
The article requires the notary and the licensee to record the statements of the parties only after verifying their capacity, status and identity and confirming their documents are valid, and refers the details to the Implementing Regulations.
Official text (Arabic)
This article has not been amended since the law was issued.
على كاتب العدل والمرخص له كتابة إقرارات ذوي الشأن بعد التحقق من أهليتهم وصفاتهم وهوياتهم، والتثبت من المستندات المقدمة منهم، وأنها صالحة للاعتماد عليها، وتبين اللائحة الإجراءات والمستندات اللازمة لذلك.
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 27 explained in plain English
This article places a duty of verification on everyone who notarizes: the notary (kātib al-adl) and the licensee, meaning the licensed notary (muwathiq) or marriage officiant (ma'dhun).
Before recording the statements of the parties concerned (under Article 1, the parties to the contract or the declarant), the notarizing person must:
- Verify their capacity, that is, their legal ability to carry out the act.
- Verify their status, for example whether the person is an agent, a guardian or a company representative.
- Verify their identities.
- Confirm the documents they submit and that they are valid to rely on.
It is the Implementing Regulations that set out the procedures and documents required for this; the article itself does not list the required documents.
This duty protects the parties and anyone who later relies on the document. As Article 1 defines it, notarization aims to establish a right in a form that can be relied on as evidence. The article is linked to Article 28, which requires an approved translator for anyone who does not speak Arabic well. Anyone with a concern about a document they believe was drawn up without sufficient verification may consult a lawyer who specializes in notarization matters.
Practical example
Salem went to a notary in Riyadh to acknowledge receipt of a sum on behalf of his company. Before recording the statement, the notary verifies Salem's identity and capacity and his status as the company's representative, and confirms that the documents he submitted are valid to rely on.
Translated from our Arabic explanation with machine assistance. For guidance only; it does not replace advice from a lawyer on your situation.
How we write and review contentA question about Article 27 of Notarization Law?
Describe what happened and specialist lawyers answer. You can write in English.
- Completely free
- Lawyers from the directory answer
- Your name stays hidden
Civil Litigation & Compensation lawyers: ask a specialist about your case
Describe your situation briefly and we'll suggest a lawyer who specialises in this law
Civil Litigation & Compensation lawyers
Lawyers who handle this kind of case
Dr. Ali Al-Rubaie Law Office and Ittihad Al-Asr Legal Company
Active contributor
Unwan Law Firm
Frequently asked questions about Article 27 of the Saudi Notarization Law
Does the notary verify the identity of the parties?
Yes. The notary must record the parties' statements only after verifying their capacity, status and identities.
What documents are required for notarization?
The Implementing Regulations set out the required procedures and documents; the article itself does not specify them.
Does a licensed private notary have the same verification duty?
Yes. The duty covers both the notary and the licensee, meaning the licensed notary and the marriage officiant.
More articles on Duties of the Notary Public and Private Notary
- Article 28
The article requires the notary and the licensee to use an approved translator for anyone who does not speak Arabic well, requires the translator to sign, and bars using a translator with an interest in what is notarized.
على كاتب العدل والمرخص له الاستعانة بمترجم معتمد لمن لا يحسن العربية، ويوقع المترجم على ما قام به من ترجمة، ولا تجوز الاستعانة بمترجم له مصلحة فيما يوثق.
- Article 29
The article bars the notary and the licensee from notarizing matters touching their own interest or that of their spouse, ascendants, descendants or persons under their guardianship, even when acting as a representative.
لا يجوز لكاتب العدل أو المرخص له توثيق ما يتعلق بمصلحته، أو مصلحة زوجه أو أصوله، أو فروعه أو من تحت ولايته ولو بصفة النيابة.
- Article 30
The article requires the notary to receive notarization requests and take the necessary steps under the Law and its Regulations, and gives anyone whose request is refused the right to file a grievance with the competent department.
على كاتب العدل تلقي طلبات التوثيق، واتخاذ ما يلزم في شأنها، وفقاً لأحكام النظام ولائحته، ولمن رُفض طلبه حق التظلم لدى الإدارة المختصة.
- Article 31
The article confines the notary's work to the notary's office except under controls set by the competent department, allows the licensed notary to travel at the parties' request, and bars removing the notarization record and official documents otherwise.
يقوم كاتب العدل بأعمال التوثيق في كتابة العدل، ولا ينتقل خارجها إلا وفق ضوابط تحددها الإدارة المختصة، أما الموثق فله أن ينتقل إذا طلب ذوو الشأن ذلك. وفي غير ما
- Article 32
The article prohibits the notary and the licensee from disclosing the secrets of transactions and any information they saw or obtained because of their work.
يُحظر على كاتب العدل والمرخص له إفشاء أسرار المعاملات وأي معلومة اطلعا عليها، أو تحصلا عليها بسبب عملهما.
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.