The Shoura Council has sent the proposed law governing the marriage of Saudi nationals to foreigners for further study by a special committee to investigate its legal, social, economic, and security implications. The Council discussed the 12-article proposed law on Monday and decided to put it to further study after it had been considered and recommended for approval by the Security Affairs Committee. The proposed law stipulates that marriage be conducted in accordance with Shariah rules and that the foreign spouse meet health requirements, and gives courts in the Kingdom the right to certify any such marriage after ensuring that all conditions are met. The Kingdom's representatives abroad would conduct the same tasks should the marriage be contracted outside the country. The proposals also include a range of penalties for marriages conducted in breach of conditions, such as barring offenders from receiving any fund or credit loans or government grants. Saudi Gazette reported on June 26 that the new law would permit Saudi women to marry non-Saudis born in the Kingdom to a Saudi mother or parents both of non-Saudi nationality, on the condition that prospective husbands have legal residence, birth certificates from the department of Civil Status, and have lived in the Kingdom for at least 15 years, sources have said. The law would also bar ministers, Shoura members, and employees of the ministries of Defense and Interior, Saudi Intelligence Service, National Guard and military manufacturers from contracting marriage with non-Saudis. Government employees of Outstanding rank will also be barred. Sources said that breaches of the law would be penalized with fines of up to SR100,000, barring the non-Saudi spouse from entering the Kingdom, and the annulment of residency status and deportation if the spouse is already present in the country. Current rulings on marriage to non-Saudis date back 38 years.
