Polyamory, Babies, and Saudi

Seeking advice (طلب المشورة)

I’m currently in Saudi Arabia as a tourist and facing a legal situation I did not anticipate. Two women I’m involved with are pregnant, and I have learned that under Saudi law, a child cannot be legally registered unless the parents are married.

In my home country this would not be a legal issue, but here it creates serious complications. I am therefore trying to understand what lawful options exist outside Saudi Arabia (for example, civil marriage in another country) that would allow this situation to be handled properly and then, if necessary, dissolved in a legal and straightforward way.

I also have a question about how religion and personal status law interact with marriage rules in this region. I have heard that under Islamic law a man may have up to four wives at one time. I would like to understand, in a factual and respectful way:

  • Whether this is true in practice under Saudi law,
  • What legal, financial, and personal obligations this carries, and
  • Whether a person is legally allowed to divorce four wives and later marry another four, and if so, what legal restrictions, waiting periods, or limits apply.

My intention is not to offend any culture or religion. I am simply trying to understand the law clearly and find the least risky, most practical path forward for everyone involved.

Posted Jan 25, 2026, 12:30 PM UTC

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