Marriage Requirements & Registration in Saudi Arabia
Reviewed by the Commoner Law Editorial Team. Sourced from Saudi royal decrees, regulations, and ministerial decisions. Written in plain language for general understanding — this is educational content, not legal advice. Our editorial standards
What is this right?
The Personal Status Law (2022) codifies marriage requirements that were previously left to individual judges' discretion:
- Minimum age: Both parties must be at least 18 years old. A judge may allow marriage below 18 only with strict conditions, court approval, and verification that the marriage serves the minor's interest.
- Consent: Both the bride and groom must give their free consent. Forced marriage is prohibited — the bride's consent must be documented separately.
- Marriage contract: The marriage must be documented in an official contract registered with the Ministry of Justice through the Najiz portal (najiz.sa).
- Mahr (dowry): The groom must provide a mahr to the bride as agreed. It becomes her personal property — the husband and his family have no claim on it.
- Witnesses: The contract requires two male witnesses and a licensed marriage officiant (ma'dhun).
- Premarital medical screening: Both parties must complete a mandatory premarital medical screening (for genetic diseases, hepatitis, HIV, and sickle cell) before the marriage can be registered. Results are disclosed to both parties.
- Contract conditions: The wife can include conditions in the marriage contract — such as the right to work, study, or retain separate housing — and these are legally enforceable under the 2022 law.
When does it apply?
- You are planning to get married in Saudi Arabia.
- You need to register a marriage that took place abroad.
- You are verifying whether an existing marriage is legally valid.
What to Do If Your Marriage Has Not Been Properly Registered Under Saudi Arabia's Personal Status Law
- Book a licensed marriage officiant (ma'dhun) through the Najiz portal or Ministry of Justice app.
- Complete the premarital medical screening at an approved clinic — both parties must have their results before the ceremony.
- Negotiate the mahr and contract conditions — especially any conditions the wife wants included (right to work, study, separate housing). These are enforceable if written into the contract.
- Keep a copy of the registered marriage contract — you will need it for visa applications, birth registration, Absher account linking, and any future legal proceedings.
What should you NOT do?
- Do not skip the official registration — an unregistered marriage is not recognized by Saudi courts, which means you cannot enforce divorce, custody, or inheritance rights.
- Do not agree to conditions under pressure — both parties have the right to negotiate freely, and conditions cannot be added after the contract is signed without mutual agreement.
- Do not ignore the premarital screening — the marriage simply cannot be registered without the medical certificate.
Common Questions
When does it apply — marriage requirements & registration?
You are planning to get married in Saudi Arabia.You need to register a marriage that took place abroad.You are verifying whether an existing marriage is legally valid.
What should I do if my marriage in Saudi Arabia was not officially registered on the Najiz platform?
Book a licensed marriage officiant (ma'dhun) through the Najiz portal or Ministry of Justice app.Complete the premarital medical screening at an approved clinic — both parties must have their results before the ceremony.Negotiate the mahr and contract conditions — especially any conditions the wife wants included (right to work, study, separate housing). These are enforceable if written into the contract.Keep a copy of the registered marriage contract — you will need it for visa applications, birth registration, Absher account linking, and any future legal proceedings.
What should you NOT do — marriage requirements & registration?
Do not skip the official registration — an unregistered marriage is not recognized by Saudi courts, which means you cannot enforce divorce, custody, or inheritance rights.Do not agree to conditions under pressure — both parties have the right to negotiate freely, and conditions cannot be added after the contract is signed without mutual agreement.Do not ignore the premarital screening — the marriage simply cannot be registered without the medical certificate.