Can You Notarize Documents Online in Saudi Arabia? Najiz Guide
If you are searching for online notarization in Saudi Arabia, the short answer is yes but not every document or transaction can be notarized online in the same way.
The Saudi Ministry of Justice has moved many notarization and legal-document services to electronic platforms, particularly through Najiz, allowing eligible users to complete certain procedures without visiting a traditional Notary Public office.
For example, electronic Power of Attorney services can be completed through Najiz, while the Ministry also provides a Virtual Notary service for specified powers, declarations, and real-estate-related transactions. The Mwathiq (private notary) service also allows users to obtain certain notarization services through licensed notaries without visiting a Notary Public office.
The important point is to identify which document or legal transaction you need to notarize before assuming that the entire process can be completed online.
Last updated: November 2026, based on the Ministry of Justice’s official pages.
What Is Online Notarization in Saudi Arabia?
Online notarization refers to completing an eligible legal notarization or documentation procedure electronically rather than physically visiting a Notary Public office.
In Saudi Arabia, this can include electronic government services where information is submitted through Najiz and the document is digitally processed or issued after the required verification and approvals.
However, there is no single Najiz button that means “notarize any document online.” The available service depends on the type of document and transaction.
The Ministry of Justice currently lists separate electronic services for different types of legal documentation, including electronic Powers of Attorney and Virtual Notary services.
Can You Issue a Power of Attorney Online Through Najiz?
Yes. Issuing an electronic Power of Attorney is one of the clearest examples of online notarization-related services in Saudi Arabia.
According to the Ministry of Justice, users can access the electronic Power of Attorney service through Najiz by logging in through the National Single Sign-On, selecting the relevant package, entering the principal and agent information, selecting the applicable Power of Attorney clauses, choosing its duration, and submitting the request.
The Ministry states that the beneficiary is notified by SMS when the electronic Power of Attorney is issued.
The Ministry also provides a multi-party electronic Power of Attorney service. Its current information states that the electronic document does not require printing, stamping, or physical signing, and that eligible parties can complete the process electronically.
The Ministry of Justice lists no service fee for the electronic Power of Attorney, and an e-POA can be valid for a maximum of one year. Any party can also revoke it electronically through Najiz.
How to Complete an Online Notarization-Related Service Through Najiz
For an eligible electronic service, the general process is:
1. Identify the correct service
First determine whether you need an electronic Power of Attorney, Virtual Notary service, declaration, or another specific service.
2. Sign in to Najiz
Use the official Najiz platform and authenticate through the required National Single Sign-On/Nafath process.
3. Select the relevant service
For example, the Ministry’s electronic Power of Attorney service is available under the relevant agencies and declarations package.
4. Enter the required information
Depending on the service, you may need to provide information about the principal, agent, parties, powers or clauses, duration, and other transaction details.
5. Submit and complete verification
Review the information carefully and submit the application. Some services require approval or authentication by the involved parties.
6. Receive or follow the electronic document
Once the required process is completed, the electronic document or application status can be followed through the relevant Najiz service.
What Is Virtual Notary in Saudi Arabia?
Saudi Arabia also has a Virtual Notary (كتابة العدل الافتراضية) service.
The Ministry of Justice describes this as an electronic service covering specified notarization services related to:
- Powers of Attorney
- Declarations
- Real-estate matters
The service allows the competent team to review and approve the document after the applicant completes the required procedures.
The current Ministry instructions indicate that users access the service through Najiz, select the Virtual Notary package, choose the relevant service, enter the required information, and submit the request. The applicant then receives an SMS containing the request number and submission details.
This is particularly useful when a particular transaction cannot be completed through the standard electronic Power of Attorney service.
According to the Ministry of Justice, the Virtual Notary Public service has been available since May 2023 and has no government service fee.
Can Expats Use Online Notarization in Saudi Arabia?
Non-Saudi residents may be able to use Saudi electronic legal services when they meet the requirements of the specific service.
Access to many Saudi government electronic services uses Nafath, the National Single Sign-On system. Government service documentation shows that citizens and residents can authenticate using their national ID or Iqama information.
However, an expat should not assume that every service available to a Saudi citizen will work in exactly the same way for a resident.
Eligibility can depend on:
- The type of legal transaction
- The person’s identity or residency status
- The parties involved
- The type of Power of Attorney or document
- Whether the transaction is available electronically
- Whether additional verification is required
For this reason, checking the specific Najiz service before starting is important.
What If My Document Cannot Be Notarized Online?
This is an important distinction.
If a document does not fall within an available electronic notarization service, you should not assume that uploading a scanned copy to Najiz will make it legally notarized.
Depending on the document and its intended use, you may instead need:
- A specific Saudi notarization service
- A licensed notary
- Virtual Notary processing
- Authentication or attestation
- Legalization of a foreign document
- Certified translation
- Another government authority
Notarization, attestation, authentication, legalization, and apostille are not automatically the same process.
For example, a foreign document intended for use in Saudi Arabia may need an Apostille (Saudi Arabia joined the Apostille Convention on 7 December 2022) or, for non-member countries, Saudi Embassy legalization and Ministry of Foreign Affairs attestation. The correct process depends on where the document was issued and what it will be used for.
To understand the role of a notary first, read what a notary public is in Saudi Arabia.
What About Mwathiq (Private Notary) Services?
The Ministry of Justice also provides Mwathiq (الموثق) services.
According to the Ministry, the service allows beneficiaries to obtain certain notarization services through licensed notaries without needing to visit a Notary Public office. The listed services include certain real-estate transactions, financial declarations, Powers of Attorney, and company-contract notarization.
The Ministry’s listed access requirements include an active National Single Sign-On account, while a person applying as an agent must have a valid Power of Attorney.
Therefore, if your transaction is not available as a standard Najiz electronic service, checking the relevant Mwathiq or Virtual Notary option may be useful. For official support, call the Ministry of Justice unified number 1950.
Frequently Asked Questions
1. Can I notarize any document online in Saudi Arabia?
No. Online notarization is available for specific eligible legal services. The available process depends on the document and transaction type.
2. Can I issue a Power of Attorney online in Saudi Arabia?
Yes. The Ministry of Justice provides an electronic Power of Attorney service through Najiz for eligible transactions.
3. Do I need to visit a Notary Public for an electronic Power of Attorney?
For eligible electronic Power of Attorney services, the Ministry states that the service can be completed directly without visiting a Notary Public office. Some other cases may require Virtual Notary processing.
4. Can Saudi residents use Najiz electronic services?
Eligible residents can use Saudi government electronic services that support resident authentication through the national digital identity system, subject to the requirements of the individual service.
5. Is online notarization the same as document attestation?
No. Notarization and attestation are different legal processes. The correct procedure depends on the document, issuing country, receiving authority, and intended use.