Steps to transfer passport information and change name via Absher

The Kingdom of Saudi Arabia continues its rapid progress towards comprehensive digital transformation, with the Ministry of Interior playing a pivotal role through its "Absher" e-services platform. These services are part of the Kingdom's Vision 2030, which aims to automate government procedures and facilitate the lives of citizens and residents, saving time and effort and eliminating the need to visit government branches and offices to complete routine transactions.

Steps to transfer passport information for a resident

In its latest update, the Absher platform clarified the approved mechanism for transferring passport information for residents, a vital service that ensures the legal and accurate updating of travel and residency data. The platform explained that this request is completed entirely electronically through the "Tawasul" service available in the user's account.

The service can be accessed via the following steps:

• Access the (My Services) tab.
• Select (services).
• Press on (Passports).
• Select the (Connect) service and submit the request.

Photo requirements for national ID renewal

In a related development, the Ministry of Interior's Civil Status Agency has specified precise technical standards for personal photographs required when renewing national identity cards, to ensure timely application processing. These standards include the following:

• 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 up and facing the camera, avoiding red eyes caused by light reflection.

Online first name change service

In a move reflecting the significant improvements in civil status services, the Absher platform has made available a "first name change" service for citizens, whether for the beneficiary themselves or for a family member under the age of 18. This service is completely free for all citizens.

Timeframe for implementation

The processing time for a name change request varies depending on the type of name chosen:

• Immediate: If the new name is already identified within the lists of names approved by the Civil Status Department.
• 5 working days: If the name is not identified in the lists, it requires review and verification.

Terms and conditions for changing the name

The Civil Status Department has put in place several controls to ensure the regulation of this process, the most prominent of which are:

• The first name may be changed only twice; provided that the second time is exclusively to revert to the previous name.
• The new name must comply with approved name registration standards (such as not violating Sharia or public taste).
• The new name must not be identical to the name of a living first-degree relative (father, mother, siblings).
• Parental consent is required when changing the name of children under 18 years of age, except in the case of the death of one of them.
• There is no other request pending to modify any of the name fields.

These services are part of an integrated system aimed at raising the efficiency of government work and improving the experience of beneficiaries, which enhances the Kingdom’s position as a leading country in the field of e-government at the regional and international levels.