Article 165 of the Saudi Personal Status Law
المادة 165 من نظام الأحوال الشخصية · الفصل الخامس: الغائب والمفقود
In all cases the court must take what is necessary to find out whether the missing person is alive or dead before ruling that he is deceased.
Official text (Arabic)
This article has not been amended since the law was issued.
على المحكمة في جميع الأحوال أن تتخذ ما يلزم للوصول إلى معرفة ما إذا كان المفقود حيًّا أو ميتاً قبل أن تحكم بوفاته.
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 165 explained in plain English
A ruling that a missing person is deceased has serious consequences, since results follow for his property and his family. This article therefore places a duty on the court before it issues such a ruling.
Content of the duty: the court must take what is necessary to find out whether the missing person is alive or dead. The text does not specify particular means; what is required is whatever is necessary to uncover the truth.
Scope of the duty: the phrase "in all cases" means that this duty always applies and cannot be dispensed with in any case of ruling that a person is deceased.
The article is linked to what comes before and after it:
- Article 164 makes a court judgment treating the missing person as deceased one of the two cases in which being missing ends.
- Article 166 explains that the court rules that a missing person is deceased at the request of an interested person if evidence of his death exists, and otherwise only after 4 years from the date the competent authority was notified of his disappearance if he disappeared in circumstances where his death is not likely, or one year from the date of disappearance if he disappeared in circumstances where his death is likely.
So the passing of time alone does not replace the inquiry required by this article.
To know what applies in a particular case, it is advisable to consult a lawyer specialized in personal status matters.
Practical example
The wife of a missing man applied for a ruling that he is deceased. Before the court rules so, it must take what is necessary to find out whether he is alive or dead, even if the period set out in Article 166 has passed.
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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Active contributorFrequently asked questions about Article 165 of the Saudi Personal Status Law
Does the court rule that a missing person is deceased straight away?
No. In all cases it must take what is necessary to find out whether the missing person is alive or dead before ruling that he is deceased.
Is the passing of time enough to rule that a missing person is dead?
This article requires the court to inquire in all cases, so the passing of time mentioned in Article 166 does not take the place of this duty.
More articles on Guardianship and Wardship over a Minor
- Article 136
The article defines a minor as a person who has not attained full legal capacity, whether by losing it completely or having it diminished, and anyone treated as such under the regulating provisions.
دون إخلال بما تقضي به الأنظمة الأخرى، يقصد بالقاصر في هذا النظام من لم يستكمل الأهلية، بفقدها بالكلية أو نقصانها، ومن في حكمه بحسب الأحكام المنظمة لذلك.
- Article 137
The guardian is the father or whomever the court appoints, and the executor is whomever the father appoints when unable to act or after his death; each takes charge of the minor's affairs and represents him.
1- الولي هو الأب، أو من تعينه المحكمة. 2- الوصي هو من يعينه الأب عند عجزه أو بعد وفاته. ويتولى الولي أو الوصي -بحسب الحال- شؤون القاصر وتمثيله.
- Article 138
The article divides guardianship over a minor into guardianship of the person and guardianship of property, and both may be combined in one person.
تنقسم الولاية على القاصر إلى ما يأتي: 1- ولاية على النفس، ويقصد بها؛ الإشراف العام على شخص القاصر بما لا يتعارض مع سلطة الحاضن في إدارة شؤون المحضون. 2- ولاية ع
- Article 139
Guardianship of a minor's property belongs to the father, then the father's executor, then whomever the court appoints.
تكون الولاية على مال القاصر للأب، ثم وصي الأب، ثم من تعينه المحكمة.
- Article 140
A guardian of the person or property must have full legal capacity, be trustworthy and be able to carry out the requirements of guardianship, and a guardian of the person must share the religion of a Muslim ward.
يشترط في الولي على النفس أو المال أن يكون كامل الأهلية أميناً، قادراً على القيام بمقتضيات الولاية المنوطة به، ويشترط في الولي على النفس أن يكون متحداً في الدين
- Article 141
Whoever is appointed executor or guardian must not be a likely source of harm to the minor's interest, including not being convicted of a crime of dishonor, declared insolvent, removed from another guardianship, or an enemy of the minor.
دون إخلال بما تضمنته المادة (الأربعون بعد المائة) من هذا النظام، يشترط فيمن يُعيّن وصيًّا أو وليًّا، ألا تكون في ولايته مظنة الضرر بمصلحة القاصر، ويشمل ذلك: 1-
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.