Key points
- In force from 3 April 2025, with Implementing Regulations issued on 30 March 2025.
- One national registration replaces separate city and branch registrations.
- No expiry date — instead, an annual confirmation of the registered data.
- Missing the confirmation for 90 days suspends the CR and linked government services.
- Fines of SAR 500 to SAR 10,000 apply to breaches such as false data or failure to confirm.
The two new laws
The Commercial Register Law and the Trade Names Law were enacted by Royal Decree M/83 and came into force on 3 April 2025. The Minister of Commerce issued their Implementing Regulations on 30 March 2025. Together they replaced decades-old rules on registration and business names.
What changed
| Before | Since 3 April 2025 |
|---|---|
| Separate registrations for the main office and each branch or city | One national registration for the business |
| Registrations expired and had to be renewed | No expiry — annual confirmation of data instead |
| Unrelated activities could require separate registrations | Unrelated activities can be recorded under one registration |
| Trade names governed by older rules | New Trade Names Law with reservation, protection and display requirements |
Annual confirmation in practice
Every year, on the anniversary of registration, the business confirms that its registered data — owners, managers, capital, activities, address and so on — is accurate. If it is not confirmed within 90 days of the due date, the registration is suspended, which can block government services the business relies on. Diarise the date and assign someone to own it.
Penalties
Breaches of the Commercial Register Law — such as failing to confirm data, failing to record bank account details or providing misleading information — can be fined between SAR 500 and SAR 10,000. Breaches of the Trade Names Law, such as using an unregistered or misleading name or failing to display it, carry fines of SAR 1,000 to SAR 10,000.
What to do now
- Check the confirmation date for each of your registrations.
- If you have historic branch registrations, plan how and when to consolidate them.
- Make sure the register reflects your current managers, capital and activities.
- Record your bank account details if you have not already.
- Review your trade name and how it is displayed at your premises and online.
Questions clients ask
Do I still need to renew my commercial registration?
What happens if I miss the annual confirmation?
What happens to my existing branch registrations?
How quickly must I update changes in the register?
Official sources
Laws change. We cite the official text so you can check the current version.
This page is general information, not legal advice for your situation.