New Personal Status Law in Saudi Arabia 2025

The new personal status law in the Kingdom of Saudi Arabia represents a fundamental step in developing the family relations system. It aims to regulate marriage, divorce, custody, and alimony in a manner that ensures justice and preserves the rights of all parties, with a special focus on protecting women and children.

It also contributes to strengthening family and societal stability by documenting procedures, protecting rights, and reducing family disputes, making it one of the most prominent modern legal systems in the Kingdom.

What is the New Personal Status Law?

The new personal status law is concerned with regulating family affairs from the engagement stage through to the end of the marital relationship. It covers provisions related to marriage, divorce, custody, alimony, lineage, and the mutual rights between spouses, as well as all matters pertaining to an individual’s personal status. The Law sets out detailed Sharia-based rules such as conditions for marriage, contract formulation, and divorce procedures, in a manner that safeguards rights particularly those of women and children within the family.

The Law also provides a comprehensive legal framework for resolving family disputes and settling them in a way that guarantees justice and minimizes conflicts.

This Law was issued under Royal Decree No. (M/73) dated 8/6/1443 AH (corresponding to 9 March 2022), aiming to govern family and personal status matters and reinforce family and societal stability.

Rooted in Islamic Sharia and humanitarian values, the Law takes into account ongoing social developments, thereby contributing to the establishment of a more balanced and cohesive family structure.

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What Are the Components of the Personal Status Law?

The personal status law in Saudi Arabia consists of 252 articles divided into eight main chapters, covering all aspects of family matters, as follows:

Chapter 1: Marriage

Defines engagement and provides the general framework of marriage, including the pillars and conditions of the marriage contract, along with the rights and duties of each spouse.

Chapter 2: Effects of the Marriage Contract

Addresses the obligations resulting from marriage, such as alimony and lineage, and details the rulerelated to establishing paternity.

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Chapter 3: Separation Between Spouses

Explains the circumstances that lead to termination of the marital relationship, including divorce, annulment, and the death of a spouse. It defines the types of divorce and regulates the annulment procedures.

Chapter 4: Effects of Separation

Details the consequences of separation, including waiting periods (iddah) and rules of custody, defining the conditions and governing principles of entitlement to custody.

Chapter 5: Guardianship

Covers the provisions regulating guardianship, its conditions and the Sharia-based order of guardians, in addition to provisions related to authority over dependents.

Chapter 6: Wills

Outlines the regulations governing wills, including their pillars and conditions, and the cases in which wills are accepted or invalidated.

Chapter 7: Inheritance

Presents the general rules of inheritance and identifies the rightful heirs, including missing persons, fetuses, and those whose lineage is disputed.

Chapter 8: Final Provisions

Includes the concluding articles governing the enforcement and application of the Law

This structure reflects the evolving social reality and aims to ensure justice in family affairs, while remaining fully grounded in the principles of Islamic Sharia.

Women’s Freedom Under the New Personal Status Law

The new personal status law issued on 8/6/1443 AH marks a transformative step in empowering Saudi women and granting them greater freedom in managing their family affairs, reinforcing their role as a cornerstone of family and social stability. While firmly rooted in Islamic Sharia, the Law reflects the spirit of the modern era, providing women with broader rights and stronger legal protection:

1. Freedom in Marriage Decisions:
    A marriage contract can no longer be concluded without the woman’s explicit consent. The Law stipulates that her full approval alongside the groom’s is essential for the contract to be valid (Article 13), reflecting respect for her freedom in choosing her life partner.
2. Freedom to End the Marital Relationship:
    Women may now resort to court and request a divorce if the husband fails to meet his obligations such as refusing to provide financial support in accordance with Article 107. The judicial authority is empowered to grant the divorce in order to safeguard her interests.
3. Freedom in Child Custody:
    The Law gives priority to mothers in child custody after separation if it serves the child’s best interests (Article 127), thereby strengthening her role as the primary caregiver.
4. Financial Independence in Alimony:
    The Law guarantees a woman’s right to alimony covering food, clothing, housing, and other essential needs (Article 45), affirming her financial independence and dignity.

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Conclusion

The new personal status law in the Kingdom represents a milestone in the development of the family justice system.If you desire a deeper understanding of the provisions of the law or require specialized legal support in this field, Etqan Law Firm offers you full support and appropriate legal solutions, as an expert in the Saudi personal status law and committed to serving you efficiently and professionally.

The Etqan Al Mutamayza Law Firm is ready to provide the essential support you need. You can reach their team at the following mobile numbers: +966550600204, +966551020060.

Additionally, feel free to visit our branches located at:

• Jeddah: Al-Aziziyah District, Mohammed bin Abdulaziz Street (Tahlia)
• Riyadh: King Abdulaziz Street, across from the Kingdom Tower
• Dammam: Al-Ashri’a Street, Al-Badeea, Dammam 32415.

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