Article 40 of the Saudi Notarization Law
المادة 40 من نظام التوثيق · الفصل الثالث: أوعية التوثيق
The article provides that notarization work is done on forms prepared by the Ministry of Justice, or by the government body concerned in coordination with it, while preserving the contracting parties' right to add any condition that does not conflict with statutory provisions.
Official text after amendments (Arabic)
Compiled from the original text and every officially published amendment; the amendments are shown in full below for comparison.
1- تكون أعمال التوثيق في نماذج تعدها الوزارة، وإذا كانت النماذج تتعلق بأعمال جهة حكومية، فتعدها تلك الجهة بالتنسيق مع الوزارة.
2- يراعى عند إعداد نماذج العقود حق المتعاقدين في إضافة أي شرط أو اتفاق، ما لم يخالف النصوص النظامية
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 40 explained in plain English
This article regulates the forms on which notarization work is done. They are part of the "notarization records" that Article 1 defines as the form or minute designated for notarization, including the signatures of the parties concerned.
First: who prepares the forms?
- As a rule, the Ministry of Justice prepares the forms for notarization work.
- If the forms relate to the work of a government body, that body prepares them in coordination with the Ministry.
Second: the parties' freedom to set conditions. In preparing contract forms, the right of the contracting parties to add any condition or agreement must be respected, provided it does not conflict with statutory provisions. The form is an organizing framework for notarization, and it does not stop the parties from including what they have agreed within the limits of the Law.
Paragraph (2) of this article was amended by Royal Decree No. (M/21) dated 26/1/1447 AH to its current wording.
The article is linked to Article 39, which provides for keeping notarization records at the notary's office and with licensees according to controls set by the Regulations, and to Article 41, which gives documents issued under the Law evidentiary force and makes them an enforceable instrument for the obligation they contain. It is therefore important to word any added conditions precisely, and where needed it is advisable to consult a lawyer who specializes in contracts and commercial matters before notarizing.
Practical example
Fahd agreed with a buyer to sell a shop in Makkah and wanted to notarize the contract before a licensed notary. The contract is prepared on the approved form, and they may add a condition on the delivery date or the method of payment, as long as the condition does not conflict with statutory provisions.
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 40 of the Saudi Notarization Law
Who prepares the notarization forms?
The Ministry of Justice prepares them, and where the forms relate to the work of a government body, that body prepares them in coordination with the Ministry.
May special conditions be added to a notarized contract form?
Yes. In preparing contract forms the right of the contracting parties to add any condition or agreement is respected, provided it does not conflict with statutory provisions.
Amendment history
Royal Decree No. M/21 — 26/1/1447 AH
Official amendment text (Arabic)
- عُدلت الفقرة (2) من هذه المادة وذلك بموجب المرسوم الملكي رقم (م/21) وتاريخ 1447/1/26هـ، لتكون بالنص الآتي:
"يراعى عند إعداد نماذج العقود حق المتعاقدين في إضافة أي شرط أو اتفاق، ما لم يخالف النصوص النظامية".
Original text before the amendments (Arabic)
1- تكون أعمال التوثيق في نماذج تعدها الوزارة، وإذا كانت النماذج تتعلق بأعمال جهة حكومية، فتعدها تلك الجهة بالتنسيق مع الوزارة.
2- يراعى في النماذج بالنسبة إلى العقود حق المتعاقدين في إضافة ما بينهما من شروط أو اتفاق ما لم يخالف ذلك المقتضى الشرعي أو النظامي.
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.