Article 31 of the Saudi Notarization Law
المادة 31 من نظام التوثيق · الفصل الأول: الواجبات والمحظورات
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.
Official text (Arabic)
This article has not been amended since the law was issued.
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 ذكر لا يجوز -بأي حال- إخراج وعاء التوثيق أو أي مستند رسمي محفوظ خارج كتابة العدل أو مكتب التوثيق.
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 31 explained in plain English
This article sets where notarization takes place and distinguishes between the notary and the licensed notary:
- The notary: performs notarization work at the notary's office (his place of work) and does not go outside it except under controls set by the competent department.
- The licensed notary: may travel if the parties concerned request it, that is, the parties to the contract or the declarant.
The article then sets a strict protective rule: in anything other than what is stated, the notarization record or any retained official document may in no case be taken out of the notary's office or the notarization office. Under Article 1, the notarization record is the form or minute designated for notarization, and it includes the signatures of the parties concerned.
The text protects documents from loss or tampering and limits their leaving to the cases of travel mentioned. The article does not detail the controls on the notary's travel; they are left to the competent department. It also names the licensed notary expressly as allowed to travel at the parties' request, and does not name the marriage officiant in this rule.
The article is linked to Article 30, which requires the notary to receive notarization requests and take the necessary steps, with a right to file a grievance with the competent department for anyone refused, and to Article 32, which prohibits the notary and the licensee from disclosing transaction secrets.
Practical example
Abdulaziz's father is elderly and finds it hard to come to the notarization office in Riyadh to notarize a power of attorney. As a party concerned, the father can ask a licensed notary to come to his home, because the article allows the licensed notary to travel if the parties concerned request it.
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 31 of the Saudi Notarization Law
Can the licensed notary come to my home?
Yes. The licensed notary may travel if the parties concerned request it.
Does the notary work outside the notary's office?
He does not go outside it except under controls set by the competent department.
Can the notarization record be taken out of the notarization office?
Apart from the cases of travel mentioned, the notarization record or any retained official document may in no case be taken out of the notary's office or the notarization office.
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 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 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.