Transferring ownership of a commercial register to a sole proprietorship

The transfer of ownership of a commercial registration for a sole proprietorship is the regulatory procedure that allows the official and documented transfer of all rights, obligations, and legal and administrative data of the establishment from the current owner to a new one. This service is completed entirely online.

The process begins with the current owner logging into the system, selecting the “Transfer Commercial Registration Ownership” service, and entering the new owner’s information, including their national ID and contact details. Supporting documents must be uploaded, such as a waiver endorsed by the Chamber of Commerce, along with an updated national address for the new owner. Once all information is completed and statutory fees are paid, the request is electronically sent to the new owner for final approval. A certificate of ownership transfer is then issued, officially making the new owner the legal and actual party responsible for all obligations and transactions related to the establishment.

Importance of the Service

Secures the legal rights of both parties (seller and buyer) by documenting the transfer through an official, accredited platform.


Enables the continuation of business operations without the need to establish a new entity or lose the historical record of the establishment.


Facilitates dealings with banks and government entities after the change of ownership.


Preserves rights tied to licenses, contracts, and official registrations associated with the establishment.


Reduces administrative or legal complications in cases of inheritance, sale, or mergers between establishments.


Supports economic growth by ensuring business continuity and minimizing downtime during ownership transfer.


Challenges of the Service

The commercial registration must be free of financial obligations, outstanding violations, or ongoing cases before the transfer can begin.


The waiver must be authenticated by the Chamber of Commerce, and both parties must provide electronic approval, requiring precise coordination and timely cooperation.


Requests may be suspended or rejected if there are discrepancies in the national address data, or if one of the parties is ineligible (for example, if there is a restriction on the civil registry).


Certain activities may require additional approvals or licenses for the new owner before the transfer can be completed.


Integration challenges may arise when updating the establishment’s data with other entities (such as banks, the Zakat and Tax Authority, or Social Insurance), which sometimes requires additional manual follow-up.


Continuous updating of the establishment’s data under the new owner across all relevant authorities is essential to avoid issues in future reviews or transactions.