The 7 Absher reports and the conditions for changing the name and renewing the ID

The Kingdom of Saudi Arabia continues its rapid progress in digital transformation, with the "Absher" electronic platform serving as the technological arm of the Ministry of Interior and a key pillar of the Kingdom's Vision 2030, which aims to automate government procedures and facilitate the lives of citizens and residents. As part of its ongoing efforts to enhance the user experience, the platform has unveiled a suite of services and reports that can be accessed without the need to visit branches.

7 approved reports via Absher

The Absher platform, through its official channels and FAQ guide, explained that it offers seven key reports that users can print and use in official procedures with government and private entities, thus enhancing the efficiency of transaction processing. These reports include:

1. My report: This is a comprehensive report on the beneficiary's basic data.
2. Family members data report: Shows details of dependents and sponsored individuals.
3. Vehicle report: Includes data on vehicles registered in the beneficiary's name.
4. Traffic violation report: Shows the traffic record and the violations recorded.
5. Traffic accident report: Includes the history of recorded accidents.
6. Travel record data report: documents entry and exit movements from the Kingdom.
7. Domestic Workers Report: This section contains data on workers registered under an individual's sponsorship.

National ID photo regulations

In a related matter concerning official documents, the Ministry of Interior's Civil Status Agency has specified precise technical standards for personal photographs when renewing national identity cards, to ensure their acceptance by security systems. These standards 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 while avoiding the "red-eye" effect caused by the camera flash.

Online first name change service

As part of the facilities provided to citizens, the Civil Status Department has made available the service of changing the first name through the “Absher” platform, which is a service that enables the citizen to amend his name or the name of one of his family members (under 18 years old) electronically.

Duration and fees

This service is free for all citizens, and the implementation time varies depending on the chosen name:

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

Terms and Conditions of Service

The ministry has set several requirements to ensure the proper conduct of the name change process, including:

• The new name must comply with the standards and laws for registering names adopted in the Kingdom.
• The new name must not be identical to the name of a living first-degree relative (sibling).
• Parental consent is mandatory when changing the name of children under the age of 18 (except in the case of the death of one of them).
• There is no prior request pending to amend any part of the name.
• The beneficiary is allowed to change the first name a maximum of twice, provided that the second time is for the sole purpose of returning to the previous name.