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Saudi Regulations

National ID

Synonyms: National ID Card، Saudi ID، Civil ID، ID Number

Last updated: 2026-05-07

Short Definition

Official identity document for Saudi citizen, required in contract authentication and all official transactions, with unique permanent number.

Overview

The Saudi National ID is an official document issued by the General Directorate of Civil Affairs, containing a unique 10-digit identification number starting with (1), and serves as the primary reference for proving identity and Saudi citizenship. This ID replaces the family booklet for the head of household and is used in all government and commercial transactions including real estate dealings. In the real estate sector, the ID number is fundamental at every stage: from registering on the Absher platform, to documenting deeds at the Notary Office, to concluding rental contracts on Ejar, to obtaining real estate financing from licensed banks. No formal real estate transaction can be completed for a citizen without verifying the national ID number and its validity. The National ID is renewed every 10 years and is electronically linked to the unified citizen services system. The government has developed the Smart ID card, which contains an electronic chip storing the citizen biometric data and supports verification via Nafath national unified access across all linked government and private platforms.

Legal Basis

The National ID is based on the Civil Status Law issued by Royal Decree No. (M/7) of 1407 AH and its executive regulations. Ministry of Interior instructions require citizens to carry their national ID and present it upon official request. In the real estate sector, the General Authority for Real Estate, the Ejar platform, and Notary Offices require verification of the national ID number and its validity before completing any transaction, as part of the Anti-Money Laundering (AML) and Know Your Customer (KYC) framework.

Sources

Practical Example

Imagine a real estate agency in Jeddah preparing to lease an apartment to a Saudi family. Before documenting the contract on Ejar, the agency asks the head of household for his national ID for verification. The broker accesses the Ejar portal, enters the 10-digit ID number, and the system automatically responds with the tenant data (full name, date of birth, ID validity, issue date). If the ID is expired, the system refuses to complete the contract and obliges the tenant to renew it first via Absher. This integration protects the owner and the agency from forgery and ensures that the signing party is a real, government-identified person.

Common Mistakes

  • ✗Relying on an old copy of the ID without verifying its validity — many systems automatically reject expired IDs.
  • ✗Confusing the national ID number with the civil registry number — the citizen ID starts with (1) only.
  • ✗Assuming the ID is static and unchanging — data may change upon marriage or address change and needs updating.
  • ✗Neglecting electronic verification via Yaqeen or Nafath and relying only on visual inspection of the card.
  • ✗Entering a wrong number in a rental contract and discovering it only after the contract is documented — requires invalidating and re-issuing the contract.

International Differences

ID systems differ between countries. In the UAE, the Emirates ID (EID) issued by the Federal Authority for Identity links all services. In Turkey, the 11-digit T.C. Kimlik No serves the same purpose. In Egypt, the 14-digit National Number carries date and governorate of birth. In the UK, there is no unified national ID system, relying instead on driving licence, passport, and National Insurance number. In the US, the Social Security Number (SSN) plays a similar financial role. The Saudi advantage lies in full electronic integration between the ID and all platforms (Ejar, Absher, Najiz, ZATCA) via Nafath.

FAQs

What is the difference between the National ID and the Civil Registry number?▾
The National ID is the personal card of the Saudi citizen and its number starts with (1), while the Civil Registry is the comprehensive family file in Civil Affairs.
Does the National ID expire?▾
Yes, it is renewed every 10 years, and expiry results in real estate and government transactions being rejected electronically.
How can I verify the validity of a tenant ID?▾
Via the Yaqeen platform or the Ejar platform which verifies automatically, or through the verification service available in Absher Business.
Do I need the physical ID or is a copy sufficient?▾
Modern systems rely on electronic verification (the number) without needing a copy of the ID, but it is preferable to keep a copy for the agency archive.
What if the tenant data on Ejar does not match his ID?▾
The tenant must first update his data in Civil Affairs via Absher, then data automatically syncs with other platforms.

In Other Languages

Arabic
الهوية الوطنية

وثيقة إثبات الهوية الرسمية للمواطن السعودي، مطلوبة في توثيق العقود وجميع المعاملات الرسمية، رقمها فريد ودائم.

English
National ID

Official identity document for Saudi citizen, required in contract authentication and all official transactions, with unique permanent number.

Turkish
Ulusal Kimlik

Suudi vatandaş için resmi kimlik belgesi; sözleşme onayı ve tüm resmi işlemlerde gereklidir, benzersiz kalıcı numarası vardır.

Related Terms

Iqama (Residency)

Residency document for foreign residents in Saudi Arabia, replacing national ID in transactions, required for Ejar contract authentication.

Absher

Saudi government portal providing electronic services for citizens and residents, includes data verification needed for Ejar transactions.

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