National ID renewal dates and photo requirements via Absher

The Saudi Ministry of Interior's Civil Status Agency has emphasized the importance of adhering to the specified deadlines for renewing national identity cards to ensure continued access to government and private services and to avoid financial penalties. The agency clarified via the "Absher" electronic platform that the optimal time to submit a renewal application is 180 days before the card's expiry date, stressing that delays beyond this deadline may disrupt services and result in fines.

This alert comes within the context of the Kingdom's major digital transformation under Vision 2030, where national identity is the cornerstone of citizen identification in all digital and real-world transactions. The Ministry of Interior is continuously working to streamline procedures through the "Absher" platform, enabling citizens to complete their transactions with minimal need to visit government offices, reflecting the technological advancements in the government infrastructure.

Personal photo requirements for ID renewal

The Civil Status Department has specified a set of technical requirements for the personal photograph when renewing the national identity card to ensure the electronic application is accepted, which are:

• The background should be completely white.
• The photo must be recent (no more than 6 months have passed since it was taken).
• Clear facial features, free from exaggerated expressions or cosmetics that alter the features.
• The image should be free of any ink stains, holes, or technical defects.
• Take the picture straight ahead, avoiding red-eye caused by the camera flash reflection.

Online name change service

As part of its integrated e-services, the Civil Status Department has made available a service to change first names through the “Absher” platform for citizens and their family members under the age of 18. This service is characterized by its flexibility; the request is processed immediately if the new name is already registered on the Civil Status Department's approved lists, while it takes five working days if the name is not already registered.

The terms of this free service include allowing the beneficiary to change their first name only twice, provided that the second change is to revert to the previous name. The new name must also comply with name registration standards and must not be identical to the name of a living first-degree relative. Parental consent is required for changing the names of minor children.

The process of renewing the identity card is of paramount importance at both the local and regional levels, as a valid card is a prerequisite for travel to the Gulf Cooperation Council countries, in addition to being the key to accessing bank accounts, health and education services, making maintaining its validity a top priority for every citizen.