What are the elements of forgery?
The statutory definition requires three connected elements:
Material element: changing the truth in a document, seal, mark or stamp through one of the eight methods in Article 2.
Moral element: bad faith and intent to use the altered item.
Potential for harm: the change must be capable of causing material, moral or social harm. The text does not require harm to have actually occurred.
Assessing these elements depends on the document, how it was prepared and used, and the supporting evidence.
What are the eight methods of forgery?
Article 2 lists the following methods:
Making a document, seal, mark or stamp that has no original, is copied from an original or has been altered from it.
Inserting a seal, signature, fingerprint, mark or stamp into a document where it has no original, is copied or has been altered.
Inserting a genuine signature or fingerprint obtained through deception.
Changing or altering a document, seal, mark or stamp by addition, deletion or substitution, or partially damaging a document so its substance changes.
Changing a personal photograph in a document or replacing it with another person’s photograph.
Including a false event as though it were true, or omitting an event the offender knew had to be included.
Changing a statement made by an interested person that the document was intended to record.
Misusing a signature or fingerprint on a blank document entrusted to the offender.
What are the penalties by document, seal or stamp?
The law sets penalties according to the forged item, the body to which it is attributed and, in some cases, the offender’s role. Articles 3 to 18 provide:
Article Conduct Prison Fine 3 Forging the seal of the State, King, Crown Prince, Prime Minister or a deputy, the Royal Court or the Crown Prince’s Court 3–10 years Up to SAR 1 million 4 Forging a public body’s or public official’s seal or mark, or one belonging to a public international law entity or official with legal effect in Saudi Arabia 1–7 years Up to SAR 700,000 5 Forging a non-public body’s seal Up to 3 years Up to SAR 300,000 6 Forging a stamp Up to 5 years Up to SAR 500,000 7 Reusing a stamp whose value has already been collected Up to 3 months Up to SAR 30,000 8 Forging a document attributed to a public body or official in that capacity, or an international document with legal effect in Saudi Arabia 1–5 years Up to SAR 500,000 9 Forging a private document Up to 3 years Up to SAR 300,000 10 Forging a document attributed to the King, Crown Prince, Prime Minister or a deputy 3–10 years Up to SAR 1 million 11 Forging bonds or valuable papers issued by the public treasury 2–7 years Up to SAR 1 million 12 A public official forging a document they are responsible for preparing 1–7 years Up to SAR 700,000 13 Forging commercial or financial papers, bank papers or insurance documents 1–5 years Up to SAR 400,000 14 Forging a medical report or certificate, or issuing one within the offender’s competence contrary to the truth with knowledge Up to 1 year Up to SAR 100,000 15 A specialist forging school examination answers or results records Up to 6 months Up to SAR 60,000 16 Forging a record intended to prove an employee’s attendance at or departure from work Up to 3 months Up to SAR 30,000 17 Knowingly using an expired judgment, judicial order or power of attorney to create the impression it remains valid, causing a right to be established or waived or causing harm Up to 1 year Up to SAR 100,000 18 Forging a historical document Up to 8 months Up to SAR 80,000
Articles 5, 7, 9 and 14–18 allow either the prison term or the fine rather than both. Articles 6, 7 and 11 also require payment of the amounts lost to the public treasury. These ranges do not predict the sentence in a particular case.
What is the penalty for using a forged document?
Article 19 imposes the same penalty as the underlying forgery offence on anyone who uses an item criminalised by the law while knowing it is forged. Liability can therefore extend beyond the person who created the forgery.
The article also covers anyone who brings into Saudi Arabia or possesses there an item criminalised under Articles 3, 4, 6, 8, 10, 11 or 13 while knowing it is forged, with the same penalty applying.
What are the penalties for attempt and participation?
Attempt, Article 20: up to half the maximum penalty for the completed offence.
Participation, Article 21: anyone who participates through agreement, incitement or assistance receives the penalty prescribed for the offence.
Whether particular acts amount to attempt or participation depends on the facts and evidence.
When is a business liable for forgery?
Article 23 addresses a private establishment operating in Saudi Arabia where it is proven that its manager or one of its personnel committed an offence under the law for its benefit and with its knowledge. The penalties are a fine of up to SAR 10 million and a two-to-five-year prohibition on contracting with any public body.
The natural person who committed the offence remains subject to their own penalty. Reviewing an incident inside a company requires examining signing authority, the document’s approval route, who benefited and evidence of the establishment’s knowledge. Our corporate legal service addresses business matters according to the nature of the dispute.
Can a forger be exempted from punishment?
Article 25 distinguishes two situations:
If an offender reports the crime before it is discovered and before the forged item is used, the competent court must exempt them from punishment.
If the report comes after discovery, the court may exempt the offender if they identify the other offenders and facilitate their arrest.
Under Article 24, the court may also suspend any ancillary penalty resulting from conviction for offences under Articles 7, 14, 15 and 16. The decision and timing of a report require assessment of the facts beforehand.
Does a forgery prosecution expire with time?
Article 27 states that the criminal action for offences under this law is extinguished after ten years, starting on the day after the offence. It excludes offences under Articles 3 and 10.
This provision concerns the criminal action under the Anti-Forgery Criminal Law. Do not delay a report or a legitimate claim based on your own calculation. The date of the event, applicable article and route of any claim require a review of the documents.
What are the rules on confiscation and publication?
On conviction, Article 22 requires the competent court to order confiscation of all seized items used in the offence and the proceeds, without prejudice to the rights of a good-faith third party.
Article 28 permits an order publishing the penalty imposed, except for offences under Articles 14, 15 and 16.
How does the law treat electronic forgery?
A document written or stored through information technology falls within Article 1’s definition. Altering an electronic file or inserting a signature into a digital document may therefore be examined under the same methods of forgery, subject to proof of every element.
Where a computer or network is used, the Anti-Cybercrime Law may also require assessment according to the acts and evidence. See our separate guide to the Saudi Anti-Cybercrime Law. Classification of conduct involving more than one act rests with the competent authority.
Accused of forgery or discovered it: what should you do?
If you have been accused
An accusation does not establish guilt. Article 3 of the Law of Criminal Procedure states that no criminal penalty may be imposed until guilt is established after trial. Article 4 gives every accused person the right to appoint a representative or lawyer for their defence during investigation and trial.
Attend scheduled proceedings, ask to understand the alleged facts, read every record carefully and request clarification of anything unclear before signing. Preserve the documents and related correspondence without alteration, and prepare a timeline showing the document’s source and who prepared, approved and delivered it. Our criminal defence service can review the defence and documents from the investigation stage.
If you discover a forged or suspicious document
Preserve the original and everything received with it: keep the document, original file, correspondence, envelope and delivery method unchanged, and do not mark the original.
Record the events: note when and from whom you received it, how you noticed the discrepancy, and any actual or potential effect.
Keep comparison copies: preserve any earlier version, draft or lawfully held reference signature and record its source.
Report to the competent criminal investigation authority: Article 27 of the Law of Criminal Procedure requires reports and complaints for all crimes to be accepted, examined and documented. Present the document and facts, and identify anything you believe requires technical examination. Article 28 permits criminal investigation officers to consult experts and request their written opinions.
Address your private right: a complaint from a person harmed by the crime counts as a claim for their private right unless expressly waived before the investigator, under Article 29. The appropriate claim depends on evidence of harm.
If the events also involve taking money through deception, see Fraud in Saudi Arabia: Penalties and Procedure for the related legal route. The facts still require independent classification.
Frequently asked questions
What is the penalty for forging an official document in Saudi Arabia?
For a document attributed to a public body or one of its officials in that capacity, Article 8 provides one to five years in prison and a fine of up to SAR 500,000. Another article may apply depending on the body, offender or document.
What is the penalty for forging a private document?
Article 9 provides up to three years in prison and a fine of up to SAR 300,000, or either penalty.
Is using a forged paper a crime if I did not forge it myself?
Yes, if you use it knowing it is forged. Article 19 imposes the same penalty as the underlying forgery offence on a knowing user.
What is the penalty for forging a medical report or certificate?
Up to one year in prison and a fine of up to SAR 100,000, or either, under Article 14. It covers forging the report or certificate and issuing it within the offender’s competence contrary to the truth with knowledge.
Does a forgery prosecution expire after ten years?
That is the general rule in Article 27, counted from the day after the offence. It excludes offences under Articles 3 and 10, so the applicable article and event date must be identified before assessing a case.
Is a person who confesses to forgery exempted?
Article 25 ties exemption to reporting before the crime is discovered and the forged item is used. After discovery, the court may grant exemption if the offender identifies the other offenders and facilitates their arrest. A confession alone does not satisfy those conditions.
What is a company’s penalty if its employee forges for its benefit?
Where it is proven that the manager or a member of a private establishment’s personnel committed the offence for its benefit and with its knowledge, Article 23 provides a fine of up to SAR 10 million and a two-to-five-year ban on contracting with any public body. The offender remains liable as well.
What is the penalty for attempted forgery?
Attempt carries up to half the maximum penalty for the completed offence under Article 20.
Need a document or forgery allegation reviewed?
If you face a forgery allegation or have discovered a forged document affecting your rights, send your case details confidentially through the form so the documents and appropriate procedure can be reviewed.
Request an assessment of your forgery case
Our licensed lawyers represent individuals and businesses in criminal matters across Saudi Arabia, in person and remotely. Learn about our criminal law service.
Official sources: Anti-Forgery Criminal Law — Bureau of Experts at the Council of Ministers · Law of Criminal Procedure — Bureau of Experts · Anti-Cybercrime Law — Bureau of Experts
Disclaimer: This article provides general legal information and is not legal advice for a specific case. Classification, penalties and procedure depend on the documents, evidence and assessment of the criminal investigation officers, prosecution and competent court.Saudi forgery penalties by document, seal or stamp, with statutory ranges, use and attempt rules, limitation, reporting steps and defence rights.
Short answer: Under the Anti-Forgery Criminal Law, Royal Decree M/11 of 1435H, Saudi penalties depend on the forged item. Public-document forgery carries one to five years and up to SAR 500,000 (Article 8); private-document forgery carries up to three years and SAR 300,000, or either (Article 9). Knowing use carries the same penalty (Article 19).
Forgery may involve a contract, medical report, seal or electronic document. The penalty does not follow from the label “forgery” alone. The analysis starts with the item changed, the method used and the person’s intention, then identifies the applicable statutory article.
This guide explains the definition and methods of forgery and the penalties in the Anti-Forgery Criminal Law. It then covers use, attempt, corporate liability and practical steps after discovering a suspicious document or facing an accusation. All terms and amounts below are statutory limits. The competent court determines the judgment in each case.
What is forgery under Saudi law?
Article 1 defines forgery as changing the truth by one of the methods listed in the law, in bad faith and with intent to use a protected document, seal, mark or stamp, where the change could cause material, moral or social harm to a natural or legal person.
Paragraph 5 defines a “document” as writing containing letters or marks that convey meaning when read, regardless of the medium on which it is written or stored, including information technology. The offence can therefore involve electronic records as well as paper.
What are the elements of forgery?
The statutory definition requires three connected elements:
Material element: changing the truth in a document, seal, mark or stamp through one of the eight methods in Article 2.
Moral element: bad faith and intent to use the altered item.
Potential for harm: the change must be capable of causing material, moral or social harm. The text does not require harm to have actually occurred.
Assessing these elements depends on the document, how it was prepared and used, and the supporting evidence.
What are the eight methods of forgery?
Article 2 lists the following methods:
Making a document, seal, mark or stamp that has no original, is copied from an original or has been altered from it.
Inserting a seal, signature, fingerprint, mark or stamp into a document where it has no original, is copied or has been altered.
Inserting a genuine signature or fingerprint obtained through deception.
Changing or altering a document, seal, mark or stamp by addition, deletion or substitution, or partially damaging a document so its substance changes.
Changing a personal photograph in a document or replacing it with another person’s photograph.
Including a false event as though it were true, or omitting an event the offender knew had to be included.
Changing a statement made by an interested person that the document was intended to record.
Misusing a signature or fingerprint on a blank document entrusted to the offender.
What are the penalties by document, seal or stamp?
The law sets penalties according to the forged item, the body to which it is attributed and, in some cases, the offender’s role. Articles 3 to 18 provide:
Article Conduct Prison Fine 3 Forging the seal of the State, King, Crown Prince, Prime Minister or a deputy, the Royal Court or the Crown Prince’s Court 3–10 years Up to SAR 1 million 4 Forging a public body’s or public official’s seal or mark, or one belonging to a public international law entity or official with legal effect in Saudi Arabia 1–7 years Up to SAR 700,000 5 Forging a non-public body’s seal Up to 3 years Up to SAR 300,000 6 Forging a stamp Up to 5 years Up to SAR 500,000 7 Reusing a stamp whose value has already been collected Up to 3 months Up to SAR 30,000 8 Forging a document attributed to a public body or official in that capacity, or an international document with legal effect in Saudi Arabia 1–5 years Up to SAR 500,000 9 Forging a private document Up to 3 years Up to SAR 300,000 10 Forging a document attributed to the King, Crown Prince, Prime Minister or a deputy 3–10 years Up to SAR 1 million 11 Forging bonds or valuable papers issued by the public treasury 2–7 years Up to SAR 1 million 12 A public official forging a document they are responsible for preparing 1–7 years Up to SAR 700,000 13 Forging commercial or financial papers, bank papers or insurance documents 1–5 years Up to SAR 400,000 14 Forging a medical report or certificate, or issuing one within the offender’s competence contrary to the truth with knowledge Up to 1 year Up to SAR 100,000 15 A specialist forging school examination answers or results records Up to 6 months Up to SAR 60,000 16 Forging a record intended to prove an employee’s attendance at or departure from work Up to 3 months Up to SAR 30,000 17 Knowingly using an expired judgment, judicial order or power of attorney to create the impression it remains valid, causing a right to be established or waived or causing harm Up to 1 year Up to SAR 100,000 18 Forging a historical document Up to 8 months Up to SAR 80,000
Articles 5, 7, 9 and 14–18 allow either the prison term or the fine rather than both. Articles 6, 7 and 11 also require payment of the amounts lost to the public treasury. These ranges do not predict the sentence in a particular case.
What is the penalty for using a forged document?
Article 19 imposes the same penalty as the underlying forgery offence on anyone who uses an item criminalised by the law while knowing it is forged. Liability can therefore extend beyond the person who created the forgery.
The article also covers anyone who brings into Saudi Arabia or possesses there an item criminalised under Articles 3, 4, 6, 8, 10, 11 or 13 while knowing it is forged, with the same penalty applying.
What are the penalties for attempt and participation?
Attempt, Article 20: up to half the maximum penalty for the completed offence.
Participation, Article 21: anyone who participates through agreement, incitement or assistance receives the penalty prescribed for the offence.
Whether particular acts amount to attempt or participation depends on the facts and evidence.
When is a business liable for forgery?
Article 23 addresses a private establishment operating in Saudi Arabia where it is proven that its manager or one of its personnel committed an offence under the law for its benefit and with its knowledge. The penalties are a fine of up to SAR 10 million and a two-to-five-year prohibition on contracting with any public body.
The natural person who committed the offence remains subject to their own penalty. Reviewing an incident inside a company requires examining signing authority, the document’s approval route, who benefited and evidence of the establishment’s knowledge. Our corporate legal service addresses business matters according to the nature of the dispute.
Can a forger be exempted from punishment?
Article 25 distinguishes two situations:
If an offender reports the crime before it is discovered and before the forged item is used, the competent court must exempt them from punishment.
If the report comes after discovery, the court may exempt the offender if they identify the other offenders and facilitate their arrest.
Under Article 24, the court may also suspend any ancillary penalty resulting from conviction for offences under Articles 7, 14, 15 and 16. The decision and timing of a report require assessment of the facts beforehand.
Does a forgery prosecution expire with time?
Article 27 states that the criminal action for offences under this law is extinguished after ten years, starting on the day after the offence. It excludes offences under Articles 3 and 10.
This provision concerns the criminal action under the Anti-Forgery Criminal Law. Do not delay a report or a legitimate claim based on your own calculation. The date of the event, applicable article and route of any claim require a review of the documents.
What are the rules on confiscation and publication?
On conviction, Article 22 requires the competent court to order confiscation of all seized items used in the offence and the proceeds, without prejudice to the rights of a good-faith third party.
Article 28 permits an order publishing the penalty imposed, except for offences under Articles 14, 15 and 16.
How does the law treat electronic forgery?
A document written or stored through information technology falls within Article 1’s definition. Altering an electronic file or inserting a signature into a digital document may therefore be examined under the same methods of forgery, subject to proof of every element.
Where a computer or network is used, the Anti-Cybercrime Law may also require assessment according to the acts and evidence. See our separate guide to the Saudi Anti-Cybercrime Law. Classification of conduct involving more than one act rests with the competent authority.
Accused of forgery or discovered it: what should you do?
If you have been accused
An accusation does not establish guilt. Article 3 of the Law of Criminal Procedure states that no criminal penalty may be imposed until guilt is established after trial. Article 4 gives every accused person the right to appoint a representative or lawyer for their defence during investigation and trial.
Attend scheduled proceedings, ask to understand the alleged facts, read every record carefully and request clarification of anything unclear before signing. Preserve the documents and related correspondence without alteration, and prepare a timeline showing the document’s source and who prepared, approved and delivered it. Our criminal defence service can review the defence and documents from the investigation stage.
If you discover a forged or suspicious document
Preserve the original and everything received with it: keep the document, original file, correspondence, envelope and delivery method unchanged, and do not mark the original.
Record the events: note when and from whom you received it, how you noticed the discrepancy, and any actual or potential effect.
Keep comparison copies: preserve any earlier version, draft or lawfully held reference signature and record its source.
Report to the competent criminal investigation authority: Article 27 of the Law of Criminal Procedure requires reports and complaints for all crimes to be accepted, examined and documented. Present the document and facts, and identify anything you believe requires technical examination. Article 28 permits criminal investigation officers to consult experts and request their written opinions.
Address your private right: a complaint from a person harmed by the crime counts as a claim for their private right unless expressly waived before the investigator, under Article 29. The appropriate claim depends on evidence of harm.
If the events also involve taking money through deception, see Fraud in Saudi Arabia: Penalties and Procedure for the related legal route. The facts still require independent classification.
Related article: Drug possession for personal use and the rights of the accused.
Frequently asked questions
What is the penalty for forging an official document in Saudi Arabia?
For a document attributed to a public body or one of its officials in that capacity, Article 8 provides one to five years in prison and a fine of up to SAR 500,000. Another article may apply depending on the body, offender or document.
What is the penalty for forging a private document?
Article 9 provides up to three years in prison and a fine of up to SAR 300,000, or either penalty.
Is using a forged paper a crime if I did not forge it myself?
Yes, if you use it knowing it is forged. Article 19 imposes the same penalty as the underlying forgery offence on a knowing user.
What is the penalty for forging a medical report or certificate?
Up to one year in prison and a fine of up to SAR 100,000, or either, under Article 14. It covers forging the report or certificate and issuing it within the offender’s competence contrary to the truth with knowledge.
Does a forgery prosecution expire after ten years?
That is the general rule in Article 27, counted from the day after the offence. It excludes offences under Articles 3 and 10, so the applicable article and event date must be identified before assessing a case.
Is a person who confesses to forgery exempted?
Article 25 ties exemption to reporting before the crime is discovered and the forged item is used. After discovery, the court may grant exemption if the offender identifies the other offenders and facilitates their arrest. A confession alone does not satisfy those conditions.
What is a company’s penalty if its employee forges for its benefit?
Where it is proven that the manager or a member of a private establishment’s personnel committed the offence for its benefit and with its knowledge, Article 23 provides a fine of up to SAR 10 million and a two-to-five-year ban on contracting with any public body. The offender remains liable as well.
What is the penalty for attempted forgery?
Attempt carries up to half the maximum penalty for the completed offence under Article 20.
Need a document or forgery allegation reviewed?
If you face a forgery allegation or have discovered a forged document affecting your rights, send your case details confidentially through the form so the documents and appropriate procedure can be reviewed.
Request an assessment of your forgery case
Our licensed lawyers represent individuals and businesses in criminal matters across Saudi Arabia, in person and remotely. Learn about our criminal law service.
Official sources: Anti-Forgery Criminal Law — Bureau of Experts at the Council of Ministers · Law of Criminal Procedure — Bureau of Experts · Anti-Cybercrime Law — Bureau of Experts
Disclaimer: This article provides general legal information and is not legal advice for a specific case. Classification, penalties and procedure depend on the documents, evidence and assessment of the criminal investigation officers, prosecution and competent court.
