As part of the Kingdom of Saudi Arabia's ongoing efforts towards comprehensive digital transformation and achieving the goals of Vision 2030, the Ministry of Interior, through its "Absher" platform, continues to expand its electronic services to facilitate the lives of citizens and residents. The service for changing first names is one of the latest services to be activated electronically, eliminating the need for beneficiaries to visit civil affairs offices and thus saving them time and effort.
First name change service via Absher
The Absher platform has officially announced the availability of a fully electronic service for changing the first name of citizens, or of one of their children under the age of 18. This step represents a significant leap forward in civil status procedures, which previously required paperwork and multiple in-person visits.
Steps to implement the service
The platform explained via its official account that benefiting from this service is done through 4 easy steps, which are:
- Log in to the beneficiary's account on the Absher Individuals platform.
- Go to the "My Services" tab and then select "Civil Status Services".
- Click on the "Name field editing services" option.
- Select "First Name Change Service" and follow the instructions to complete the request.
Digital transformation and its impact on government services
This update comes within the broader context of developing the Kingdom's e-government system. Just a few years ago, procedures such as changing names or updating family registry data required booking appointments and waiting in long queues. Today, thanks to the robust digital infrastructure of the Absher platform, citizens can complete these sensitive transactions from their homes, reflecting the significant improvement in government efficiency and quality of life.
Electronic Family Registry Services
The facilities are not limited to changing the name only, but also include a comprehensive package of family registry services that can be completed remotely, including:
- Family Record Issuance: A service dedicated to newlyweds to request the issuance of the record for the first time without the hassle of a visit.
- Family record update: Enabling citizens to add newborns or modify marital statuses and update data instantly.
- Issuance of a replacement for a lost or damaged document: In case of loss or damage to the document, the beneficiary can request a replacement copy and have it delivered to his national address.
How to access family registry services
To take advantage of this package, the following path can be followed within the platform:
- Log in to the Absher platform.
- Select "My Services".
- Select "Civil Status".
- Click on "Family Registry Services".
In conclusion, the “Absher” platform continues to solidify its position as one of the most important digital government platforms in the Middle East, serving millions of beneficiaries and contributing directly to raising the efficiency of government work and reducing bureaucracy.
