Article 28 of the Saudi Notarization Law
المادة 28 من نظام التوثيق · الفصل الأول: الواجبات والمحظورات
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.
Official text (Arabic)
This article has not been amended since the law was issued.
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.
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 28 explained in plain English
This article protects people who do not speak Arabic well during notarization, so that they understand what is written about them and make their statements knowingly.
It contains three rules:
- Duty to use a translator: the notary and the licensee (the licensed notary or marriage officiant) must use an approved translator for anyone who does not speak Arabic well. This is mandatory for the notarizing person, not optional.
- Translator's signature: the translator signs for the translation he or she has done.
- Translator's impartiality: a translator who has an interest in what is being notarized may not be used.
The translator must be approved; it is not enough for a person to be fluent in both languages. The article does not say which body grants the approval or what its procedures are.
The article is linked to Article 27, which requires the notary and the licensee to verify the capacity, status and identity of the parties and to confirm their documents; translation is part of ensuring that a statement is made with understanding. It is also linked to Article 29, which bars the notarizing person from notarizing matters touching his own interest or that of the relatives listed there, the same idea this article applies to the translator.
Practical example
A foreign investor who does not speak Arabic well wants to notarize an acknowledgment of a sum before a notary in Riyadh. The notary must use an approved translator who signs for the translation, and the translator may not be a partner with an interest in this acknowledgment.
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 28 of the Saudi Notarization Law
Is a translator required when notarizing for someone who does not speak Arabic?
Yes. The notary and the licensee must use an approved translator for anyone who does not speak Arabic well.
Can someone with an interest in the transaction translate for me?
No. A translator who has an interest in what is being notarized may not be used.
Does the translator sign the document?
Yes. The translator signs for the translation he or she has done.
More articles on Duties of the Notary Public and Private Notary
- Article 27
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.
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 ا
- 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.