Is your property deed old, on paper, or out of line with reality? Before you sell, mortgage or divide an estate, you will usually need to update the property deed. The Ministry of Justice has moved this service online, mainly to the Real Estate Exchange and the Ehkam platform for reviewing and verifying deeds. Here is when you need an update, how the platforms differ, the steps, and the most common reasons a request is refused.
Reviewed by: Khaled ElnaggarDirector of USUS Law FirmLast updated:
When do you need to update a deed?
- The deed is an old paper deed that has not yet been linked electronically.
- The owner's details or ID changed, or the deed is not linked to a national ID number.
- The boundaries, area or plan number differ from the land as it is.
- Before a sale, transfer or mortgage, since many transactions require an updated, active deed.
- When dividing an estate whose properties are in the deceased's name. Read heirship and estate division.
The Real Estate Exchange and Ehkam: what is the difference?
| Platform | Main role | When to use it |
|---|---|---|
| Real Estate Exchange | Deed update requests, linking the deed to the ID, and transfers and property transactions online | When you want to update your deed or deal in it |
| Ehkam | Reviewing deeds and verifying and securing their data | When there is a note on the deed or a review is requested |
| Najiz | Deed enquiries and other justice services | To check the deed's status before any step |
Platform names and services change often; check the Ministry of Justice website for the current service.
Steps to update a property deed
- Enquiry: check the deed's status and details online. Read checking a property deed.
- Documents: the original deed or a copy, the owner's ID, a power of attorney if an agent acts, and any approved sketch or plan.
- Request: submit it through the deed update service, entering the details accurately.
- Review: the authority reviews the request and may ask for more documents or a site check.
- Updated deed: once accepted, an electronic deed linked to the ID is issued and used for later transactions.
Most common reasons a request is refused
- The area or boundaries differ from reality in a way that needs a court to resolve.
- A mortgage, hold or pending dispute on the property.
- Several owners, or a deceased owner with no heirship deed.
- The deed overlaps another deed, or lies in an area covered by in-rem registration with different procedures.
In these cases the solution is usually through the court or the competent authority, not the platform alone. If your goal is a sale or purchase, read property transactions.
Frequently asked questions
Is an old paper deed still valid?
It remains evidence of ownership, but many transactions require it to be updated and linked electronically first.
Can a deed owned by several heirs be updated?
Yes, once the heirs are established by an heirship deed; the update is made in their names or in preparation for dividing the property.
How long does the update take?
It depends on whether the documents are complete and whether the deed has notes; a complete request is much faster.
A problem with your deed, or a refused request?
The Usus Law Firm team handles real estate cases: deed updates, boundary and area discrepancies, and ownership disputes, in Riyadh and Tabuk.
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: 12 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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