The service allows expatriates to update their official housing information after moving to a different property within Kuwait. Maintaining accurate residential records is particularly important for families whose circumstances change when they relocate, as the address forms part of the civil information maintained by the competent government authority and must reflect the individual’s actual residential circumstances.

According to Kuwait’s official government portal, the service can be completed through the Sahel application or by visiting an authorized PACI service location. Applications may be handled by the concerned person, a legal guardian or a legally authorized representative holding a general power of attorney issued by the Ministry of Justice. One particularly important condition concerns families: the government service explicitly requires the residential address of the entire family to be changed together. Residents should therefore consider the status of all relevant family members before initiating the transaction.

For expatriate tenants seeking to update their registered address, the required documents generally include a tenancy agreement identifying the property owner as the first party and the tenant as the second party. The agreement must contain the automated number assigned to the residential unit. Supporting proof may include a copy of the property ownership document, an electricity bill issued within the previous six months, a real estate registry certificate issued by the Ministry of Justice, or the applicable property signature authorization. Applicants must also provide a copy of the concerned tenant’s passport and sign a declaration confirming the accuracy of their submitted information.

Additional requirements depend on the applicant’s housing arrangements. Where the electricity meter is registered in the tenant’s own name, the listed documentation includes the lease agreement, a recent electricity bill, a passport copy and the required declaration. Expatriates living in accommodation provided by their employers, including government ministries, public authorities and institutions, may instead submit an official employer letter or a To Whom It May Concern certificate identifying the residential unit’s automated number. The applicable passport and declaration requirements must also be completed.

The official instructions also cover individuals living with the principal tenant of a residential unit, people renting through a property manager or legal representative, and residents occupying properties owned by heirs or by sponsoring companies. Such arrangements may require additional documents, including signed accommodation declarations, identification documents for the property owner’s representative, ownership records or inheritance certificates. These requirements differ depending on the specific legal and residential circumstances. The service further requires two recent photographs meeting the approved specifications for each individual aged five years or older.

Regarding the cost, Kuwait’s government portal lists a fixed fee of KD 5.25 for the address change service applicable to non-Kuwaiti residents, with variable fees shown as KD 0. The stated amount can be paid through PACI’s official website or the Sahel application. Residents should distinguish this transaction from separate procedures such as Civil ID renewal, because different services may have different prices and eligibility rules. Checking the official payment details before completing the process helps applicants avoid confusing the address change fee with charges associated with another government service.

Applicants who need in-person assistance may visit the relevant departments at PACI’s headquarters in South Surra or the government registration department at Liberation Tower, as listed on the official portal. The government information also identifies an evening service period from 3:00 pm to 7:00 pm at the headquarters only, although applicants should confirm current operating arrangements before traveling. Expatriates planning to move should carefully review their lease agreements, automated property numbers and supporting evidence, and ensure that all affected family members are included as required. Preparing the correct documentation in advance can help avoid delays and unnecessary additional visits.

Source: State of Kuwait Official Government Portal — Public Authority for Civil Information — Change of Address for Non-Kuwaiti Residents.