Family Law
Marriage, divorce, child custody, inheritance, domestic violence protections, and women's legal capacity reforms under Saudi Arabia's Personal Status Law.
Marriage Requirements & Registration
Saudi Arabia's Personal Status Law (enacted 2022) codifies marriage rules for the first time in a single statute:Minimum age: Both parties must be at least 18 years old. A judge may allow marriage bel...
Divorce Rights (Talaq, Khul', Judicial)
The Personal Status Law provides three main paths to end a marriage:Talaq (husband-initiated): The husband may pronounce divorce. It must be registered with the court to be legally effective. The wife...
Child Custody (Hadana) Rules
Child custody (hadana) after divorce is governed by the Personal Status Law, which prioritizes the best interests of the child:Mother's priority: The mother generally has priority for physical custody...
Child Support & Spousal Maintenance (Nafaqa)
Saudi law requires financial support (nafaqa) for spouses and children:Spousal maintenance: The husband must provide his wife with housing, food, clothing, and medical care during the marriage and dur...
Inheritance Rights (Sharia-based Succession)
Inheritance in Saudi Arabia follows Sharia-based rules codified in the Personal Status Law:Fixed shares: The Quran specifies exact fractions for certain heirs — for example, a wife receives 1/8 if the...
Domestic Violence Protections
Saudi Arabia's Protection from Abuse Law criminalizes domestic violence and provides protections for victims:Definition: Abuse includes physical, psychological, sexual, and financial harm — as well as...
Women's Legal Capacity Reforms
Saudi Arabia has enacted major reforms since 2019 expanding women's legal rights:Travel freedom: Women aged 21 and older can obtain and renew passports and travel abroad without a male guardian's perm...
Birth Registration & Nationality
Birth registration and nationality rules in Saudi Arabia:Registration deadline: Births must be registered within 15 days of delivery. Hospital births are typically registered automatically through the...