The Saudi Personal Status Law governs marriage and divorce and their effects, custody and guardianship, wills and inheritance. Here you will find its issuing decree, a link to read and download the official, amended text, what it covers, and our guides that explain it.
Reviewed by: Ahmad Farag Al-Sayed MuhammadHead of the Criminal Department at USUS Law FirmLast updated:
About the law
| Name | Saudi Personal Status Law |
|---|---|
| Issued by | Royal Decree No. (M/73) dated 6/8/1443H |
| Official text | Bureau of Experts at the Council of Ministers portal |
| Age of majority | Set by the law at eighteen full years |
Download the Saudi Personal Status Law (PDF) and read the official text
The official, amended text is published on the portal of the Bureau of Experts at the Council of Ministers, where you can read the articles with their amendments and view the original instrument. The portal's main text is in Arabic.
Read and download the official text
We always link to the official portal rather than a saved copy, because laws are amended and the authoritative version is the current one.
What the law covers
- Engagement, marriage and the elements of the contract
- Spouses' rights, maintenance and lineage
- Divorce, khula and annulment
- Custody and guardianship
- Wills and inheritance
- The absent and the missing
Who needs it
- Spouses before a divorce or khula
- Parents in custody and maintenance cases
- Heirs dividing an estate
Our guides to this law
- Saudi Personal Status Law
- Khula in Saudi Arabia
- Child Custody and Maintenance After Divorce in Saudi Arabia
- Personal Status Court in Saudi Arabia
- How Inheritance Is Divided in Saudi Arabia, with Worked Examples
Frequently asked questions
Can I download the Saudi Personal Status Law as a PDF?
Yes, from the law's page on the Bureau of Experts portal, which is the official source of the current, amended text.
How do I find the latest amendment?
The law's page on the portal shows its status, the amended articles and the instrument for each amendment, so check it before relying on an older copy.
Does reading the law replace a lawyer?
The text tells you your rights, but applying it to your facts means reading the documents and the deadlines. At Usus Law Firm the first consultation is free.
This page introduces the law and is not a substitute for advice from a qualified lawyer on your case. The reference is the current official text.
Legal review: the Usus Law Firm team
A select team of lawyers and legal advisers licensed by the Saudi Ministry of Justice, working from Riyadh and Tabuk, with experience before the general, commercial, labor, criminal, personal status and administrative courts. Every article is reviewed before publication and updated when laws or regulations change.
Last reviewed: 23 October 2026
This article is general legal information and is not a substitute for advice on your specific case. Court proceedings in Saudi Arabia are in Arabic; the official Arabic text of each law prevails.
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