Jail, KD1,000 Fine for Authenticating Marriage Contract Without Premarital Training

KUWAIT CITY, Oct 19: Kuwait has issued Decree-Law No. 122 of 2026 amending certain provisions of the Notarization Law, with the aim of simplifying procedures, developing electronic links between the relevant authorities, and strengthening official records and documents.

Under the amendments, a marriage contract may not be authenticated until both parties have completed the premarital qualification programme.

The law imposes a penalty on a notary or marriage official who authenticates a marriage contract without first verifying that both parties have completed the programme. The penalty is imprisonment for a period not exceeding one year, a fine not exceeding KD1,000, or either of these two penalties.

The amendments also address the electronic and remote handling of personal-status matters, with safeguards intended to prevent the use of insecure systems or applications that could expose procedures to manipulation, identity impersonation, or disputes over the validity of a person's attendance or the expression of their consent.

The changes are intended to improve the reliability of official documentation while facilitating procedures and strengthening electronic coordination among the relevant authorities.

The new provisions place responsibility on the officials authenticating marriage contracts to verify completion of the premarital qualification programme before proceeding with authentication.