Procedures for Registering and Certifying a Death Occurring Outside Syria and Repatriating the Body

This guide explains the essential procedures for registering a death that occurs outside the territory of the Syrian Arab Republic, whether through the Syrian diplomatic mission in the country of death or by registering it later inside Syria when consular review is not possible. This is to help you understand the requirements and prepare before approaching the competent authority.

This article covers only the procedures for registering and certifying a death occurring outside Syria and repatriating the body. For procedures related to registering and certifying a death inside Syria, please refer to a separate article here: (article link).

Key Messages:

1. Death registration varies depending on the country where it occurred and the circumstances, and requirements may change from time to time; therefore, we recommend checking with the Syrian diplomatic mission or the relevant civil registry before your visit.
2. The Syrian Ministry of Foreign Affairs and Expatriates allows citizens (or those with equivalent status) to register the death of their relatives at the mission in the host country, and then record it later in the civil registry records inside Syria.
3. The obligation to report a death falls on the deceased’s ascendants or descendants, spouse, or relatives up to the fourth degree.
4. The procedural period for reporting/registering a death occurring outside Syria may extend up to nine months, noting that the duration may vary depending on the case and the competent authority.
5. If the deceased’s family is unable to register the event at the mission in the country of death, the death can later be recorded in Syria by presenting an official, certified death certificate issued by the country where the death occurred.

Why Officially Register a Death?

Official registration of a death helps with:

• Enabling heirs to initiate inheritance proceedings.
• Facilitating the receipt of pensions/retirement benefits, as official death registration is required.
• Facilitating guardianship/custody procedures for minors and legally establishing widowhood.
• Avoiding complications in subsequent official transactions (sale/inheritance/travel, etc.).

What Are the Procedures for Registering and Certifying a Death Outside Syria?

This refers to certifying a death that occurred outside Syria, which can be done in one of the following two ways:

1. Registering the death at the Syrian diplomatic mission in the country of death (then officially sending the documents to the competent authorities inside Syria for recording).
2. Registering the death directly inside Syria if it is not possible to approach the diplomatic mission, after completing the required chain of certifications for the foreign death certificate.

What Are the Different Cases of Death Occurring Outside Syria?

• Ordinary case: A death registered with the authorities of the country of death with an official, certifiable death certificate.
• Cases requiring additional documents: Such as the presence of a forensic medical report/autopsy report according to the system of the country of death (make sure to keep a copy of these documents if needed).
• Case of name/data discrepancy: If a foreign death certificate is issued in a new/different name for the deceased, a declaration can be submitted to the mission stating that the deceased is the same person registered in the Syrian records (this is also useful for the process of repatriating the body).
• Inability to reach the diplomatic mission: If you are unable to reach the diplomatic mission, you can follow the path of registering the death directly inside Syria after certifying the documents from the relevant authorities.

Death Outside Syria – Steps and Required Documents for Death Registration

First – Preparing the Documents

According to the requirements of the Syrian Ministry of Foreign Affairs and Expatriates (the "Death Registration" service at missions), the following documents are usually required:

1. The deceased’s personal ID card or a copy, or his/her passport or a copy.
2. The foreign death certificate from the country of death, certified by the Ministry of Foreign Affairs of the host country.
3. A copy of the forensic medical report certified by the Ministry of Foreign Affairs of the host country (if available). Note: This document is not mandatory according to the service statement.
4. The personal ID card or passport of the applicant.

Practical note: In many countries, you must first register the death with the authorities of the host country in order to obtain an official death certificate. Therefore, you may need an official certified translation according to the language required in the country of use.

Second – Submitting the Application at the Syrian Diplomatic Mission

The death registration process at the Syrian diplomatic mission is carried out through the following procedural steps (for more information, please visit the following link: Civil Status/Death Registration)

1. Take a number in the authentication/services hall at the mission and wait your turn.
2. Submit the application and fill out the approved form at the mission.
3. Pay the fees according to the approved fee schedule.
4. Receive a copy of the statement (usually accompanied by a sticker/electronic authentication according to the adopted system).
5. The approximate completion time at the mission ranges from 15 to 25 minutes, depending on workload.

Third – After Registration: Recording the Death in Syrian Records

After registering the death at the mission, the data is officially sent/transferred for entry into the civil status records inside Syria according to the mechanisms adopted between the mission and the competent authorities.

If registration at the mission is not possible (due to the absence of a mission or inability to reach it), the deceased’s family can proceed with recording the death inside Syria after obtaining an official and accredited death certificate from the country of death and certifying it according to the sequence mentioned in the "alternative cases" section below.

Fourth – The Alternative Path if Registration at the Mission Is Not Possible

If the deceased’s family is unable to register the event at the mission in the country of death, it is possible to register the death statement in the records in Syria directly after:

1. Obtaining an official and accredited death certificate issued by the competent authorities in the country of death.
2. Certifying this certificate at the Ministry of Foreign Affairs of the country of death, then certifying it at the accredited Syrian diplomatic mission in that country (if present/according to accreditation), then certifying it at the Ministry of Foreign Affairs and Expatriates in Syria.

Fifth – Deadlines and Fees (General Overview)

The deadline for registering a death occurring outside Syria is up to 9 months (with details varying according to the case and the competent authority).

As for the fees, they are according to the approved fee schedule at diplomatic missions (we recommend checking it directly with your mission).

Procedures for Repatriating the Body from the Country of Death to Syria (Procedural Summary):

The requirements for repatriating the body vary depending on the country of death and the transport/airline company, but there are recurring elements in most cases, summarized as follows:

1. Early communication with the Syrian diplomatic mission: This helps arrange consular procedures, especially when there are discrepancies in names/data on the foreign death certificate.
2. There is a set of basic documents required for international transport (which may increase/decrease depending on the country and airline), including:
3. Official death certificate from the country of death (often requires certifications/translation depending on the destination country).
4. Permit/authorization to remove the body from the country of death.
5. Proof of appropriate sanitary preparation, such as an embalming/preparation certificate or equivalent as required by the country of death or the transport company, in addition to packaging/coffin requirements for leak-proofing according to the applicable standards. [

1. Safety, packaging, and air transport requirements.
2. Air transport of the body is subject to specific acceptance, packaging, and documentation procedures by airlines and shipping agents. The International Air Transport Association (IATA) provides procedures and guidelines for handling bodies, such as minimizing the risk of fluid leakage and more (you can read more via the link here in English).
3. If the death is related to infectious diseases/health risks, some countries may impose additional conditions and procedures (permits/leak-proof containers/special procedures) to protect public health during transport.
4. Relying on a specialized company: The shipping process is usually handled by funeral homes/international funeral directors or shipping agents experienced in repatriating bodies and dealing with airline, health authority, and customs requirements.

Practical Note: Since requirements vary greatly from one country to another, we advise you to check directly with the Syrian diplomatic mission in the country of death, as well as with the relevant local authorities and/or transport companies, before paying any costs.

Tips and Guidelines

1. Begin certifying documents (certificate/certifications/additional copies) early to avoid procedural delays.
2. Keep certified copies of the death certificate and any related documents, as more than one entity may request them (diplomatic mission/civil status/shipping companies/authorities in the country of death).
3. If you are unable to reach the diplomatic mission in the country of death, bring the foreign death certificate in its official and accredited form, with the required chain of certifications for later registration in Syria.

List of Sources:

• Ministry of Foreign Affairs and Expatriates of the Syrian Arab Republic: Civil Status/Death Registration.
• United Nations High Commissioner for Refugees UNHCR: Guide to Death Registration According to Syrian Law.
• International Air Transport Association (IATA) and World Health Organization: Air Transport Standards for Human Remains (in English).

Note: This material provides general information for your benefit and is not legal advice.