Article 4 of the Saudi Travel Document Law
المادة 4 من نظام وثائق السفر
The article refers to the Implementing Regulations to regulate granting a passport and travel permit to persons under custody and to minors whose guardian has died.
Official text after amendments (Arabic)
Compiled from the original text and every officially published amendment; the amendments are shown in full below for comparison.
يكون منح جواز السفر وتصريح السفر للخاضعين للحضانة والقصّر المتوفى وليّهم، وفقاً لما تحدده اللائحة التنفيذية.
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 deals with two categories that need special treatment regarding the passport and the travel permit:
- Persons under custody.
- Minors whose guardian has died.
The article itself sets no conditions or procedures and does not specify who submits the request on behalf of these persons. It provides that granting them a passport and a travel permit is in accordance with what the Implementing Regulations determine. The reference for all the details is therefore the Regulations.
The current text of the article was issued by Royal Decree No. (M/134) dated 27/11/1440 AH.
In practice, this means that a person who looks after a child in his custody, or a minor whose guardian has died, and wants to obtain a passport or a travel permit for him, needs to refer to the Implementing Regulations to learn the requirements and procedures.
This article is followed by Article 5, which prevents any person from keeping more than one valid passport issued under this Law, and refers to the Regulations for how the issuing body is to make sure of that.
Because custody and guardianship matters may be tied to court judgments and particular family circumstances, anyone facing a difficulty in this regard is well advised to consult a lawyer who specializes in personal status.
Practical example
A mother in Jeddah has custody of her child after a divorce and wants to obtain a passport for him. The Implementing Regulations of the Travel Document Law determine how a passport and a travel permit are granted to the child in custody, so she refers to them to learn the required procedures.
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 Travel Document Law
How do I get a passport for a child in custody?
The article refers the regulation of granting a passport and a travel permit to persons under custody to the Implementing Regulations.
What about a minor whose guardian has died?
The article covers minors whose guardian has died, and refers to the Implementing Regulations to determine how they are granted a passport and a travel permit.
Has this article been amended?
Yes. Its current text was issued by Royal Decree No. (M/134) dated 27/11/1440 AH.
Amendment history
Royal Decree No. M/134 — 27/11/1440 AH
Official amendment text (Arabic)
عُدلت هذه المادة بموجب المرسوم الملكي رقم (م / 134) وتاريخ 27 / 11 / 1440هـ ، لتكون بالنص الآتي: "يكون منح جواز السفر وتصريح السفر للخاضعين للحضانة والقصّر المتوفى وليّهم، وفقاً لما تحدده اللائحة التنفيذية".
Original text before the amendments (Arabic)
يتم إصدار جواز سفر مستقل للخاضعين لولاية أو وصاية أو قوامة وفقا لما تحدده اللائحة التنفيذية.
More articles on Types of Travel Documents and Their Issuance
- Article 1
The article sets out the travel documents issued in the Kingdom's name (passport, laissez-passer, diplomatic passport and special passport) and the body that issues each.
وثائق السفر التي تصدر باسم حكومة المملكة العربية السعودية وتخول حاملها السفر هي : 1 - جواز السفر . 2 - تذكرة المرور . 3 - جواز السفر الدبلوماسي . 4 - جواز السفر
- Article 2Amended (1440 AH)
The article provides that a passport is granted to every Saudi who requests it in accordance with the Regulations, and allows the Minister of Interior, when necessary, to issue a temporary passport or laissez-passer to a non-Saudi.
1- يمنح جواز السفر لكل من يقدم طلباً بذلك من حاملي الجنسية العربية السعودية، وذلك وفقاً لما تحدده اللائحة التنفيذية. 2- لوزير الداخلية عند الاقتضاء إصدار جواز س
- Article 5
The article prevents any person from keeping more than one valid passport issued under the Law, and refers to the Regulations for how the issuing body is to make sure of that.
لا يجوز لأي شخص الاحتفاظ بأكثر من جواز سفر ساري المفعول صادر وفقا لهذا النظام، وتحدد اللائحة التنفيذية كيفية تأكد الجهة التي تصدره من ذلك.
- Article 9
The article makes the Kingdom's missions abroad register the passports of Saudis who request it, and tasks the Ministries of Interior and Foreign Affairs with determining the cases and procedures of compulsory registration.
تقوم ممثليات المملكة في الخارج بتسجيل جوازات سفر السعوديين الذين يتقدمون إليها بطلب ذلك، كما تتولى وزارة الداخلية و وزارة الخارجية تحديد الحالات التي يكون فيها
- Article 13
The article provides that the Travel Document Law and its Regulations replace the travel document provisions of the Travel Passports Law of 1358 AH, with its instructions and decisions, from the date they take effect.
يحل هذا النظام ولائحته التنفيذية محل الأحكام المتعلقة بوثائق السفر الواردة في نظام الجوازات السفرية الصادر بالأمر السامي رقم (17 / 3 / 2 ) وتاريخ 19 / 1 / 1358
- Article 14
The article requires the Minister of Interior to issue the Implementing Regulations and publish them in the Official Gazette within no more than 16 months of the Law's publication, to apply from the date the Law takes effect.
يصدر وزير الداخلية اللائحة التنفيذية لهذا النظام وتنشر في الجريدة الرسمية، وذلك خلال مدة لا تتجاوز ستة عشر شهرا من تاريخ نشر هذا النظام، على أن يعمل بها ابتداء
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.