Article 4 of the Saudi Notarization Law
المادة 4 من نظام التوثيق · الفصل الثاني: كتابات وكتاب العدل
The article sets five conditions for appointing a notary, including original Saudi nationality, good conduct, health fitness, a Sharia degree, and passing a written examination.
Official text (Arabic)
This article has not been amended since the law was issued.
يشترط فيمن يعين كاتب عدل ما يأتي:
1- أن يكون سعودي الجنسية بالأصل.
2- أن يكون حسن السيرة والسلوك، وألا يكون محكوماً عليه بجريمة مخلة بالدين أو الشرف، أو صدر في حقه قرار تأديبي بالفصل من وظيفة عامة، ولو كان قد رُدّ إليه اعتباره.
3- أن يكون لائقاً صحيًا، وسليم الحواس.
4- أن يكون حاصلاً على شهادة جامعية في تخصص الشريعة من إحدى الكليات في المملكة أو شهادة أخرى معادلة لها.
5- أن يجتاز امتحاناً تحريريًا تعده الإدارة المختصة.
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 4 explained in plain English
This article sets out the conditions that must be met by a person appointed as a notary, who according to Article 1 is a government employee with Sharia qualifications competent to notarize contracts and acknowledgments.
There are five conditions:
- to be a Saudi national by origin.
- to be of good conduct and behavior, and not to have been convicted of an offense involving violation of religion or honor, or to have been subject to a disciplinary decision of dismissal from a public post, even if rehabilitated.
- to be medically fit with sound senses.
- to hold a university degree in Sharia from one of the colleges in the Kingdom or an equivalent qualification.
- to pass a written examination prepared by the competent department, which is the body competent for notarization affairs in the Ministry of Justice.
Note that the second condition is strict: a conviction for an offense involving violation of religion or honor, or disciplinary dismissal from a public post, prevents appointment even if the person has been rehabilitated. The nationality condition here is also restricted to being a Saudi national "by origin".
After appointment, the notary is subject to a training course and a probation period under Article 5. Anyone with a question about whether these conditions apply to their case can consult a lawyer specializing in administrative matters.
Practical example
Saad graduated from the Sharia college in Riyadh and wants to apply for a notary post. He must be a Saudi national by origin, of good conduct and medically fit, and then pass the written examination prepared by the competent department before he can be appointed.
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 4 of the Saudi Notarization Law
Must a notary be a Sharia graduate?
Yes. A notary must hold a university degree in Sharia from one of the colleges in the Kingdom or an equivalent qualification.
Can someone who has been rehabilitated be appointed a notary?
No. If the person was convicted of an offense involving violation of religion or honor or was dismissed through a disciplinary decision from a public post, the bar remains even if they have been rehabilitated.
Who prepares the notary examination?
The competent department, which is the body competent for notarization affairs in the Ministry of Justice.
More articles on Appointing a Notary Public
- Article 3
The article makes establishing Notary Offices, setting their subject-matter and territorial jurisdiction and composition, and abolishing them subject to a decision of the Minister of Justice, with the head of the Notary Office supervising.
يكون إنشاء كتابات العدل، وتحديد دوائر اختصاصها النوعي والمكاني وتكوينها، وإلغاؤها، بقرار يصدره الوزير، ويشرف رئيس كتابة العدل على كتاب العدل فيها.
- Article 5
After appointment a notary must take a training course of at least 3 months and serve a two-year probation period; the Minister decides to dispense with them if they prove unfit.
يخضع كاتب العدل -بعد تعيينه- لدورة تدريبية تطبيقية في مجال عمله لا تقل مدتها عن (3) أشهر، وتكون مدة التجربة له سنتين من تاريخ مباشرته للعمل بعد صدور قرار تعيينه
- Article 6
The article classifies notary posts into eight: notary (D), (C), (B) and (A), then head of notary office (D), (C), (B) and (A).
تصنف وظائف كُتاب العدل على النحو الآتي: كاتب عدل (د)، كاتب عدل (ج)، كاتب عدل (ب)، كاتب عدل (أ)، رئيس كتابة عدل (د)، رئيس كتابة عدل (ج)، رئيس كتابة عدل (ب)، رئيس
- Article 7
The article sets the qualifications and experience required for each of the posts of notary (D), (C), (B) and (A), and leaves the Regulations to specify the type of experience.
تحدد المؤهلات المطلوبة لشغل وظائف كُتاب العدل على النحو الآتي: 1- كاتب عدل (د): أن يكون حاصلاً على شهادة جامعية في تخصص الشريعة أو ما يعادلها بتقدير عام لا يقل
- Article 8
The article requires at least two years in the post of notary (A) for promotion to head of notary office (D), and two years in the previous post for promotion to (C), (B) and (A).
1- يشترط للترقية إلى وظيفة رئيس كتابة عدل (د) أن يكون المرشح قد أمضى سنتين على الأقل في وظيفة كاتب عدل (أ). 2- يشترط للترقية إلى وظائف: رئيس كتابة عدل (أ) و(ب)
- Article 9
The article provides an appointment allowance equal to three months' salary to anyone appointed for the first time in the service to one of the notary posts.
يُصرف لمن يعين لأول مرة في الخدمة على إحدى وظائف كُتاب العدل بدل تعيين يعادل راتب ثلاثة أشهر للوظيفة المعين عليها.
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.