Article 38 of the Saudi Notarization Law
المادة 38 من نظام التوثيق · الفصل الثاني: إجراءات التوثيق
The article sets the term of a power of attorney deed at five years from its date of issue, unless it ends earlier through revocation, death, loss of capacity, or a shorter term set by the principal.
Official text after amendments (Arabic)
Compiled from the original text and every officially published amendment; the amendments are shown in full below for comparison.
تكون مدة صك الوكالة خمس سنوات من تاريخ صدوره ما لم تُفسخ أو يُتوفى أحد طرفيها أو تُفقد أهليته قبل مضي هذه المدة أو يحدد الموكل مدتها بما يقل عن تلك المدة
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 38 explained in plain English
This article sets a clear rule for the term of a power of attorney deed issued under the Notarization Law, and identifies the cases in which the power of attorney ends before this term is complete.
The rule: the term of a power of attorney deed is five years, counted from the date of its issue.
When does the power of attorney end before five years? According to the text, in these cases:
- If the power of attorney is revoked.
- If one of its parties dies, that is, the principal or the agent.
- If one of its parties loses capacity.
- If the principal sets a shorter term than five years, in which case the term he set governs.
The article mentions only the principal setting a term that is shorter than five years. It does not explain the procedures for revocation or for renewing a power of attorney after it ends, since its text does not address them.
This article appears in the chapter on notarization procedures, and it was amended by Royal Decree No. (M/21) dated 26/1/1447 AH to its current wording. In practice, anyone relying on an old power of attorney should check its date of issue before using it. If a dispute arises over an act done by an agent after the term ended or after the death of one of the parties, it is advisable to consult a lawyer who specializes in civil matters and notarization.
Practical example
Khalid issued a power of attorney to his brother in Jeddah to deal with government bodies without specifying a term. The power of attorney remains valid for five years from its date of issue, unless Khalid revokes it or one of them dies or loses capacity before then. If Khalid wanted the power of attorney to last only one year, he could set that shorter term when issuing 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 38 of the Saudi Notarization Law
How long is a power of attorney deed valid?
Five years from its date of issue, unless it ends earlier for one of the reasons stated in the article.
Does a power of attorney end when the principal or agent dies?
Yes. The article provides that the five-year term does not continue if one of the parties to the power of attorney dies before it has run.
Can the principal set a shorter term for the power of attorney?
Yes. The principal may set the term of the power of attorney at less than five years.
Amendment history
Royal Decree No. M/21 — 26/1/1447 AH
Official amendment text (Arabic)
- عُدلت هذه المادة وذلك بموجب المرسوم الملكي رقم (م/21) وتاريخ 1447/1/26هـ، لتكون بالنص الآتي:
" تكون مدة صك الوكالة خمس سنوات من تاريخ صدوره ما لم تُفسخ أو يُتوفى أحد طرفيها أو تُفقد أهليته قبل مضي هذه المدة أو يحدد الموكل مدتها بما يقل عن تلك المدة".
Original text before the amendments (Arabic)
تكون مدة صك الوكالة خمس سنوات من تاريخ صدوره ما لم تفسخ أو يتوفى أحد طرفيها أو تزول أهليته قبل مضي هذه المدة أو يحدد الموكل مدتها بما يقل عن تلك المدة.
More articles on Notarization Procedures and Powers of Attorney
- 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 34
The article refers to the Implementing Regulations the statement of notarization procedures followed at the notary's office and with the licensee, whether a licensed notary or a marriage officiant.
تبين اللائحة إجراءات التوثيق لدى كتابة العدل، ولدى المرخص له.
- Article 35
The article permits recording notarization data electronically and gives it the status of written documents in accordance with the provisions of the Electronic Transactions Law.
يجوز تدوين بيانات التوثيق إلكترونيًّا، ويكون لها حكم المحررات المكتوبة، وفقًا لأحكام نظام التعاملات الإلكترونية.
- Article 36
The article requires contracts and acknowledgments to be notarized in Arabic.
توثق العقود والإقرارات باللغة العربية.
- Article 37
The article requires the notary and the licensee to accept documents issued outside the Kingdom after verifying that they do not conflict with Sharia or statutory requirements and after the Ministry attests them, and this applies to the original of their Arabic translation.
على كاتب العدل والمرخص له اعتماد الوثائق الصادرة من خارج المملكة بعد التحقق من عدم مخالفتها للمقتضى الشرعي أو النظامي وتصديق الوزارة عليها، ويسري ذلك على أصل تر
- Article 39
The article requires notarization records to be kept at the notary's office and with licensees, and refers to the Regulations the controls for this, the procedures for handing over the records, copies of notarized contracts, and the departments competent to receive them.
تُحفظ أوعية التوثيق في كتابة العدل ولدى المرخص لهم، وتحدد اللائحة ضوابط ذلك، وإجراءات تسليم أوعية التوثيق، ونسخ العقود الموثقة، والإدارات المختصة بتسلمها.
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.