Article 39 of the Saudi Notarization Law
المادة 39 من نظام التوثيق · الفصل الثالث: أوعية التوثيق
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.
Official text (Arabic)
This article has not been amended since the law was issued.
تُحفظ أوعية التوثيق في كتابة العدل ولدى المرخص لهم، وتحدد اللائحة ضوابط ذلك، وإجراءات تسليم أوعية التوثيق، ونسخ العقود الموثقة، والإدارات المختصة بتسلمها.
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 39 explained in plain English
This article concerns where what is notarized is kept. Under Article 1, the notarization record is the form or minute designated for notarization, and it includes the signatures of the parties concerned; it is the original register in which the transaction is recorded.
The article provides that notarization records are kept in two places:
- The notary's office: the place of work of the notary.
- With licensees: the licensed notaries and marriage officiants.
It then refers to the Implementing Regulations the setting of four matters:
- The controls for keeping notarization records.
- The procedures for handing over notarization records.
- Copies of notarized contracts.
- The departments competent to receive them.
The article states no retention periods and no method of handing over; it leaves all of that to the Regulations, so no answer on these details can be drawn from it alone.
The article is linked to Article 40, which provides that notarization work is done on forms prepared by the Ministry, and, where the work relates to a government body, prepared by that body in coordination with the Ministry. Keeping matters in order is important because the notarization record is the original on which the issued document rests. Anyone who needs to know what became of the notarization record for their transaction may contact the competent body or consult a lawyer who specializes in notarization and contracts.
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 39 of the Saudi Notarization Law
Where are notarization records kept?
Article 39 provides that they are kept at the notary's office and with licensees, meaning licensed notaries and marriage officiants.
Who sets how notarized contracts are kept and handed over?
The article refers to the Implementing Regulations the controls for keeping and the procedures for handing over notarization records, copies of notarized contracts, and the departments competent to receive them.
What is a notarization record?
Under the Law's definitions, it is the form or minute designated for notarization, and it includes the signatures of the parties concerned.
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 38Amended by M/21
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.
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
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.