The Ministry of Interior’s Agency of Civil Affairs in Saudi Arabia has rolled out four new e-services via the Absher platform, under the supervision of Prince Abdulaziz bin Saud bin Naif. The launch took place at an event in Riyadh, during which Maj. Gen. Saleh Al‑Murabba officially introduced the services. These new offerings mark another step in the ministry’s digital transformation to deliver smarter, faster and more convenient civil-affairs services for citizens and residents.

What the New Services Cover

1. First-Name Change

Users can now submit a request to change their own first name — or the first name of a child under 18 — completely online. The Absher platform clarified via a post on X that this can be done without visiting a civil-status office.

2. Delivery of Death Certificates

A new service enables delivery of official death certificates via digital means, streamlining what previously required in-person visits or manual processing.

3. Issuing Replacement Death Certificates

If a death certificate has been lost or damaged, users can now request a replacement through the Absher portal, avoiding manual paperwork and waiting periods.

4. Birth Certificate Update

Updating birth certificates can now be handled electronically, further reducing the administrative burden on citizens and streamlining civil-status operations.

How to Use the Services

To access the new services on Absher:

• Log in to the Absher platform.
• Navigate to “My Services” → “Civil Status Services”.
• Select “Name Field Modification” and choose “First Name Modification” (for name changes) or the relevant service (for certificates).

This reflects the ministry’s vision to move towards fully digital, user-centric services that eliminate the need for physical visits to offices — thereby saving time and effort for both citizens and the agency.

Why This Matters

These additions underline Saudi Arabia’s commitment to digital governance via Absher — a platform that already hosts a wide range of public-service offerings. For example, earlier reporting noted that over 28 million digital IDs were issued through Absher, signifying the scale of the e-transformation underway.

By enabling first-name modification and certificate services online, the Agency of Civil Affairs is advancing the goals of efficiency, accessibility and convenience in line with the country’s broader electronic-governance agenda.

Tips for Users

• Ensure your Absher profile is active and you have the required family-or-guardian permissions when modifying a child’s records.

• Keep your digital identity credentials safe and avoid sharing login or verification codes, as Absher supports many critical civil-services functions.

• When requesting certificate delivery or replacement, make sure your contact details (address, phone) are up to date so the process is smooth.

• For issues or support, contact Absher’s helpdesk via the number listed on the official website under the ministry’s portal.

Conclusion

The launch of these four new online services by the Agency of Civil Affairs on Absher marks a tangible enhancement in how civil-status operations are handled in Saudi Arabia. With fewer manual steps and more remote options for name changes and certificate management, citizens and residents are set to benefit from faster, safer and more efficient processes.