Article 29 of the Saudi Notarization Law
المادة 29 من نظام التوثيق · الفصل الأول: الواجبات والمحظورات
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.
Official text (Arabic)
This article has not been amended since the law was issued.
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.
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 29 explained in plain English
This article deals with conflict of interest in notarization. It bars the notary and the licensee (the licensed notary or marriage officiant) from notarizing anything that touches the interest of the following:
- Their own interest.
- The interest of their spouse.
- The interest of their ascendants, such as father, mother and grandfather.
- The interest of their descendants, such as son, daughter and son's son.
- The interest of persons under their guardianship.
The article states that the bar applies "even in a representative capacity". That is, even if the interested person is not a party personally but is represented by an agent or deputy, the notarizing person may not notarize the transaction as long as it touches the interest of one of these people.
The aim is to protect the neutrality of notarization: the document serves as evidence that can be relied on, so it should not be notarized by someone who, or whose listed relatives, have an interest in it. The article lists the barred categories specifically and does not mention siblings or other relatives.
It follows Article 28, which applies the same idea to the translator by barring the use of a translator with an interest in what is notarized. Anyone who doubts the validity of a document for this reason may consult a lawyer who specializes in notarization matters.
Practical example
A licensed notary in Madinah is asked by his son to notarize a mortgage contract in which the son is a party through his agent. The notary may not notarize it because the transaction touches the interest of one of his descendants, even though the son is represented by an agent, and the son must go to another notary.
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 29 of the Saudi Notarization Law
Can a notary notarize a contract for his wife?
No. He may not notarize anything touching the interest of his spouse.
Can the notary notarize for his son if an agent attends on the son's behalf?
No. The bar applies even in a representative capacity.
Does the bar cover siblings?
The article mentions his own interest and that of his spouse, ascendants, descendants and persons under his guardianship. It does not mention siblings.
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 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 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.