Account Opening Rules

Saudi Natural Persons This rule has been respectively amended according to the circular No. (12426/67), dated 25/02/1441H, corresponding to 24/10/2019G , and circular No. (472047083), dated 08/09/1447H, corresponding to 25/02/2026G . • Male and female citizens: Male and female citizens may open bank account by presenting their national ID (or family register for minors). • Saudi natural persons exempted from personal photographs: No accounts shall be opened by a national ID containing a statement on exempting its holder from providing personal photo, unless SAMA receives from the Ministry of Interior an official letter to this effect and informs the bank thereof. • Minors: Bank accounts may be opened for minors as follows: 1. The bank account shall be opened through the guardian, curator, or custodial person. 2. The account shall be in the name of the minor, while it is operated by the guardian, curator or custodial person. 3. The bank shall receive a copy of the custodianship deed issued by the competent court for the curator, or a copy of the guardianship deed where the guardian is not the father, or a copy of the custody deed for the custodial person.* 4. The bank shall obtain and verify the data of the family register to which the customer’s information is added, as well as the national identity information of the guardian, curator or custodial person. 5. When the minor reaches the age of (18) Hijri years and is still incompetent, the bank must receive a copy of the legal deed that proves the minor's condition as well as a copy of the guardianship continuation deed for the guardian or a copy of the custodianship deed for the curator. 6. As an exception of Paragraphs (1) and (2), a minor who has reached the age of (15) Hijri years and has a national ID may open and operate a bank account himself/herself, provided that the bank obtains the consent of the guardian or curator to open the account for the minor. In this case, no checkbook shall be issued until he/she reaches the age of (18) Hijri years. • Bank accounts of people with disabilities-upper-limb disabled/ people with no upper limbs: Bank accounts may be opened for upper-limb disabled people and people with no upper limbs, who cannot write or sign, subject to the following conditions and requirements: 1. A copy of the person’s national ID or Iqama must be submitted to the bank. 2. The bank should approve the customer’s seal instead of the personal signature on all documents and bank transactions. 3. Withdrawals from the account shall be made only in the presence of the customer personally at one of the bank's branches. If the customer requests an ATM card, e-banking service, telephone banking service, or/and a checkbook, the bank should provide him/her with these services, upon receiving the customer’s declaration and undertaking carrying his/her own seal and upon submission of a testimony by two of the bank branch’s employees (one of them should be the branch manager or his deputy) stating that the services are granted under the customer’s own responsibility. 4. Procedures should be introduced, if necessary, to the customer by two of the branch’s employees (one of them should be the branch manager or his deputy). Such employees should sign on each transaction, contractual relationship, or deposit or withdrawal document. • Legally Incompetent Person: A bank account may be opened for a legally incompetent person by his/her legal representative who shall be the one authorized to sign for and operate such account. The legal representative must present the original documents supporting the authority given to him/her, along with the originals of his/her own personal identification documents as well as those of the legally incompetent person. • Children with special circumstances: - These are children born in the Kingdom of Saudi Arabia from unknown parents, illegitimate children, and children deprived of care from parent(s) or relatives due to death, divorce of parents, im