Foreign Documents and Translation in Divorce Notarisation
This guide addresses two distinct routes that may relate to divorce documents: divorce notarisation through the Ministry of Justice and document attestation through the Ministry of Foreign Affairs. The Ministry of Justice offers an electronic service to notarise a prior or recent divorce. The existence of that service does not mean that every divorce document needs translation or MOFA attestation; official services do not publish one route of that kind for all cases, countries, or receiving bodies. A divorce-notarisation application begins on Najiz with a National Access account, followed by All Electronic Services, the Social Affairs package, and the Notarize Divorce service. The service identifies applicant and party details, marriage-contract or family-register information, divorce details and place of occurrence, required documents, and submission. Where an agent submits the application, the Ministry of Justice states that a valid power of attorney is required. For documents issued outside Saudi Arabia, the Ministry of Justice states that they are attested by the Ministries of Justice and Foreign Affairs, but it does not publish a complete country-specific sequence. In notarisation work, contracts and declarations are notarised in Arabic, and the ministry-attestation condition extends to the original Arabic translation of foreign-issued documents. When attestation of a translation of a foreign document is requested, MOFA requires the published attestation chain on the original and a translation that is correct and faithful to the text. MOFA also refers to an Arabic translation by an accredited and trusted entity for instruments issued by foreign courts before ratification; that text does not specifically identify a divorce instrument. Always confirm the receiving body's and relevant service's requirements before taking a final step, because neither attestation nor this guide guarantees acceptance of a particular document.
- Prior or recent divorce-notarisation request: the Ministry of Justice service covers both, but it does not publish one standard document form for every application.
- Marriage-contract or family-register information: the divorce-notarisation service lists it among the information entered in an application; this does not necessarily make it a translation document in every case.
- Documents issued outside Saudi Arabia: within the service context, MOJ says they are attested by the Ministries of Justice and Foreign Affairs, without detailing every document type or country-specific order.
- Translation of a foreign-issued document: when attestation of the translation is requested, the original must have the published attestation chain and the translation must be correct and faithful to the text.
- Instrument issued by a foreign court: MOFA refers to an Arabic translation by an accredited and trusted entity before ratification; the text does not single out divorce instruments.
- Translated documents from government bodies or foreign missions within Saudi Arabia: MOFA lists them among documents it attests, without identifying them as divorce documents.
- Social-status document or deed: it may be checked through a separate service when the deed number and inquirer's identity number are available; that service is not translation or attestation.
Determine whether the purpose is divorce notarisation through the Ministry of Justice or document attestation through the Ministry of Foreign Affairs. These are different routes, and official services do not publish one translation-and-attestation route for every divorce document.
Sign in with a National Access account, then select All Electronic Services, the Social Affairs package, and Notarize Divorce, and start the service.
The National Platform includes selecting the relevant notarisation authority as part of the service route before completing the application.
Enter applicant and party details, marriage-contract or family-register information, divorce details and place of occurrence, then attach the documents required by the service and submit the application.
If an agent submits the application, MOJ states that a valid power of attorney is required. The reviewed page does not publish a further detailed list of power-of-attorney documents.
If documents were issued outside Saudi Arabia, the MOJ service says they are attested by the Ministries of Justice and Foreign Affairs. Do not assume a complete sequence for every country, because the service description does not publish one.
When attestation of a translation of a foreign-issued document is requested, ensure the original has the published attestation chain and the translation is correct and faithful to the text. For an instrument from a foreign court, MOFA refers to an Arabic translation by an accredited and trusted entity before ratification, without specifically identifying a divorce instrument.
MOFA describes an electronic attestation request, electronic payment, and review at the ministry headquarters, a branch, or a mission as applicable. For divorce notarisation, an SMS provides the application number and submission date. Check the live service screen before payment or relying on a timeframe.
| Document type | Common use | Note |
|---|---|---|
Is divorce notarisation the same as MOFA document attestation?
No. Divorce notarisation is a Ministry of Justice service, while attestation is a different Ministry of Foreign Affairs service. The routes may be connected in some foreign-document situations, but official sources do not publish one route combining them for every divorce document.
Is there an official Saudi service to notarise a divorce?
Yes. The Ministry of Justice describes an electronic service for notarising a prior or recent divorce, and divorce falls within the notary public's functions.
Does the divorce-notarisation service cover both prior and recent divorce?
Yes. The published service description states that it covers prior or recent divorce.
How do I start a divorce-notarisation application?
Sign in to Najiz with a National Access account, then select All Electronic Services, the Social Affairs package, and Notarize Divorce, and start the service. The National Platform also includes selecting the relevant notarisation authority.
What information does the divorce-notarisation service list?
It lists applicant and party information, including the husband, wife, or their agents; marriage-contract or family-register information; divorce details and place of occurrence; and required documents.
What is required if an agent submits the application?
The Ministry of Justice states that a valid power of attorney is required if the applicant is an agent. The reviewed page does not publish a further detailed list of power-of-attorney documents.
Does every divorce document issued abroad need translation and attestation?
The published pages do not establish that blanket rule. MOJ refers to attestation of documents issued outside Saudi Arabia in the context of its service, and MOFA sets conditions when attestation of a translation of a foreign-issued document is requested. They do not publish a complete list for every divorce document or country.
What do the published rules say about Arabic translation of a foreign document?
In notarisation work, contracts and declarations are notarised in Arabic, and the ministry-attestation condition extends to the original Arabic translation of foreign-issued documents. When attestation of the translation is requested, MOFA says it must be correct and faithful to the document text. These rules do not mean that every divorce document needs translation.
Does MOFA publish a rule for instruments issued by foreign courts?
Yes. The portal says that Arabic translations of instruments issued by foreign courts must come from an accredited and trusted entity before submission for ratification. The text does not specifically name a divorce instrument.
Can any translator be used?
The published texts cannot be turned into an any-translator rule. In notarisation work, an accredited translator is used where a concerned person does not know Arabic, and MOFA refers to an accredited and trusted entity for translations of foreign-court instruments. The reviewed pages do not publish a translator directory or accreditation procedure.
What attestation chain is published when attestation of a translation of a foreign-issued document is requested?
MOFA's portal says the original document must carry attestations from the issuing body, the issuing country's foreign ministry, and the stamp and signature of the responsible official at the Saudi Embassy in that country or the nearest Saudi Embassy. This formulation applies to a request to attest a translation and is not a promise that every file follows the same route.
Does MOFA attestation prove that a document's content is true?
No. The ratification portal states that MOFA and its offices are not responsible for the contents of any document, while reserving the right not to ratify a document that conflicts with Sharia or applicable regulations.
What are the service fee and duration?
There is no single safe answer for the full route. The National Platform shows two working days and free for divorce notarisation, and MOFA's English attestation page shows instant and free, while the ratification portal publishes SAR 30 per attestation with specified exemptions that do not name divorce documents. Check the live screen and responsible authority before payment or relying on a timeframe.
Is social-status-document verification the same as attestation or translation?
No. It is a separate Najiz verification service requiring a National Access account, deed number, and inquirer's identity number. It gives no translation or MOFA-attestation rule and does not identify a particular divorce document.
Does this guide guarantee that a document will be accepted in Saudi Arabia or abroad?
No. This guide explains the published rules and their limits and does not guarantee acceptance. A document and its suitability for reliance are examined, and MOFA reserves the right not to ratify in certain situations. Confirm the requirements with the receiving body and official channel before taking a final step.
This guide is for general information and is not legal or consular advice. Always verify current requirements with the receiving authority.