Article 4 of the Saudi Real Estate Registration Law
المادة 4 من نظام التسجيل العيني للعقار · الفصل الثالث: السجل العقاري
The article gives the real estate register absolute authority as evidence before the courts and all bodies, allows it to be challenged only for a clerical error or forgery, and sets out its contents.
Official text (Arabic)
This article has not been amended since the law was issued.
1- يكون للسجل العقاري الحجية المطلقة في الإثبات وفقاً لأحكام النظام، ويعمل بمضمونه أمام القضاء والجهات كافة بلا بينة إضافية، ولا يجوز الطعن فيه إلا إذا كان الطعن بسبب خطأ كتابي أو تزوير.
2- يجب أن يحتوي السجل العقاري على أوصاف العقار، وجميع الحقوق العينية التي ترد عليه والالتزامات التي تتبعه، وأي تعديلات تطرأ على ذلك.
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 is one of the most important articles of the Law, and it contains two provisions:
First: the authority of the real estate register. The real estate register has absolute authority as evidence in accordance with the provisions of the Law, meaning that what is in it is given effect before the courts and all bodies without additional proof. A person whose right is established in the register is not asked for any other evidence to prove it. The register may be challenged in only two cases:
- There is a clerical error.
- There is forgery.
Second: the contents of the register. The real estate register must contain the description of the property, all the real rights that attach to it, the obligations that follow it, and any changes that occur to these.
This authority is linked to Article 3, which obliges the competent authority to guarantee the accuracy and precision of the property's data and the rights and obligations attached to it. Article 5 also provides that the register's data may be amended only in accordance with the Law and the Regulations, and that the competent authority corrects purely clerical and material errors.
In practice, this article means that anyone who buys or deals in a property should rely on what is in the real estate register. Anyone who believes the register contains a clerical error or forgery affecting him would do well to consult a lawyer specialized in real estate matters to assess his position.
Practical example
Ahmed bought land in Riyadh that was registered in the real estate register in the seller's name. Later, another person claimed a right in the land. Under this article, what is in the real estate register is given effect before the courts without additional proof, and a challenge to it is not accepted unless it is based on a clerical error or forgery.
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 Real Estate Registration Law
Can the real estate register be challenged?
It may not be challenged except on grounds of a clerical error or forgery.
Do I need additional evidence to prove my ownership recorded in the real estate register?
No. The content of the real estate register is given effect before the courts and all bodies without additional proof.
What must the real estate register contain?
The description of the property, all the real rights that attach to it, the obligations that follow it, and any changes that occur to these.
More articles on Evidentiary Force of the Real Estate Register and Access to It
- Article 5
The article bars amending the real estate register's data except under the Law and the Regulations, and obliges the competent authority to correct purely clerical and material errors on request or on its own initiative, notifying those concerned.
1- لا تعدل بيانات السجل العقاري ولا يجرى أي تغيير عليه، إلا وفقاً لأحكام النظام واللائحة. 2- تصحح الجهة المختصة الأخطاء الكتابية والمادية البحتة بناءً على طلب م
- Article 6Amended by M/123
The article makes the real estate register's data open to inspection by everyone, except the data of owners of real rights and data of properties that the relevant bodies determine to be confidential.
يكون الاطلاع على بيانات السجل العقاري متاحاً للكافة، ويستثنى من ذلك الآتي: 1- بيانات ملاك الحقوق العينية، وفقاً لما يحدده النظام واللائحة. 2- بيانات العقارات ال
- Article 9Amended by M/123
The article obliges the competent authority to prepare lists of properties registered in rem and publish them by the means the Regulations set, including each property's number, location, area and planning data.
تعد الجهة المختصة قوائم بالعقارات المسجلة عينياً بناءً على صكوك تسجيل الملكية الصادرة بموجب أحكام النظام، وتنشرها بالوسائل المناسبة التي تحددها اللائحة، على أن
- Article 11Amended by M/123
The article requires cases on first in rem registration to be annotated in the real estate register, provides that the registration acquires absolute authority within a period not exceeding one year, and limits the harmed person to compensation afterwards.
1- في حال قيد دعوى قضائية تتعلق بالتسجيل العيني الأول وفق ما قضت به المادة (العاشرة) من النظام، فيتم التأشير بها في السجل العقاري، وقوائم العقارات المسجلة عينيا
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.