Article 44 of the Saudi Notarization Law
المادة 44 من نظام التوثيق · الفصل الرابع: حجية الوثائق وحمايتها
When the minute of a deed issued by a notary before the Law, or a notarization record, is lost or damaged so its content cannot be known, the minute is re-drawn after the parties' confirmation if the deed matches its basis; otherwise it goes to the competent department.
Official text (Arabic)
This article has not been amended since the law was issued.
إذا فقد ضبط صك صادر من كاتب عدل قبل صدور النظام، أو فقد وعاء توثيق، أو تلف أي منهما تلفاً لا يعرف معه مضمونه، فيعاد ضبطه بعد أخذ تصديق ذوي الشأن، متى طابق الصك أساسه المستند إليه، وإلا فيعرض على الإدارة المختصة لتقرير ما يلزم في شأنه.
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 44 explained in plain English
This article deals with a practical problem: what happens if the original kept by the notarization body is lost or damaged?
The cases the article covers:
- Loss of the minute of a deed issued by a notary before the Law came into force.
- Loss of a notarization record.
- Damage to either of them to the point that its content cannot be known; damage that leaves the content known is not covered by this rule.
The rule: the minute is re-drawn, on two conditions:
- The confirmation of the parties concerned is obtained; under Article 1, these are the parties to the contract or the declarant.
- The deed matches the basis on which it rests.
If the deed does not match its basis, the matter goes to the competent department, the department responsible for notarization affairs at the Ministry of Justice, to decide what is needed. The article does not state what the department decides in that case.
This article differs from Article 45, which deals with the loss or damage of the register of a deed issued before the Law; it provides for re-registering when the deed matches its basis, without mentioning the parties' confirmation. Article 43 also bars noting a suspension or restraint on a notarization record except by order of the competent court or an authority competent under a statutory provision.
Anyone facing the loss of the minute of a deed that concerns them may consult a lawyer who specializes in real estate matters.
Practical example
Abdullah owns a deed issued by a notary before the Notarization Law, and it turns out the minute of this deed is lost. The minute is re-drawn after obtaining the confirmation of the parties concerned if the deed matches the basis on which it rests; if it does not match, the matter goes to the competent department to decide what is needed.
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 44 of the Saudi Notarization Law
What should I do if the minute of my old deed is lost at the notary's office?
Article 44 provides for re-drawing it after obtaining the confirmation of the parties concerned if the deed matches the basis on which it rests; otherwise it goes to the competent department to decide what is needed.
Does any damage to a notarization record require re-drawing it?
The article deals with damage to the point that the content of the minute or record cannot be known.
What is the rule if the deed does not match its basis?
It goes to the competent department for notarization affairs at the Ministry of Justice to decide what is needed.
More articles on Evidentiary Weight of Documents and Challenging Them
- Article 41
The article gives documents issued under the Notarization Law evidentiary force and the status of an enforceable instrument, and provides they may be annulled only by a court judgment for conflict with Sharia or statutory principles or for forgery, after a fully completed hearing.
الوثائق الصادرة وفق أحكام النظام لها قوة الإثبات، وتعد سنداً تنفيذيًا فيما تضمنته من التزام، ويجب العمل بمضمونها أمام المحاكم بلا بينة إضافية ولا يجوز الطعن فيه
- Article 42
The article allows anyone with an interest, even a potential one, whether a natural or legal person, public or private, to bring a claim against the holder of a document issued under the Law or its beneficiary before the competent court.
يجوز لمن له مصلحة ولو محتملة من الأشخاص ذوي الصفة الطبيعية أو الاعتبارية -العامة والخاصة- أن يخاصم من بيده وثيقة صادرة وفق أحكام النظام أو من يستفيد منها أمام ا
- Article 43
The article bars noting a suspension or restraint on a notarization record, or lifting either, except by an order of the competent court or an authority competent under a statutory provision.
لا يؤشر على وعاء التوثيق بالإيقاف أو التحفظ عليه أو رفعهما إلا بأمر من المحكمة المختصة، أو سلطة مختصة بذلك بموجب نص نظامي.
- Article 45
The article provides for re-registering a deed issued by a notary before the Law if its register is lost or damaged so its content cannot be known, when the deed matches its basis; otherwise it goes to the competent department.
إذا فقد سجل صك صادر من كاتب عدل قبل صدور النظام، أو تلف تلفاً لا يعرف معه مضمونه، فيعاد تسجيله، متى طابق الصك أساسه المستند إليه، وإلا فيعرض على الإدارة المختصة
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.