Country Position Paper: Statelessness in Syria
6. DOCUMENTATION IN SYRIA
Note the table below lists some Syrian documents, but it is not an exhaustive list.125 Due to the conflict and
displacement, documents may have been lost or destroyed, leaving some people without any documentation.
DOCUMENT
Colour
FAMILY BOOKLET
(“Daftar Ayli”)
Citizens
NATIONAL ID CARD
(“Hawiya”)
Citizens
Bitaqa Ajnabi
(“RED CARD”)
Ajanib
FAMILY CIVIL EXTRACT
Ajanib
IDENTITY NOTIFICATION
(“Shahadat Taaref”)
Maktumeen
RESIDENCY NOTIFICATION
Maktumeen
TRAVEL DOCUMENT
Palestinians
TEMPORARY RESIDENCY
CARD
Palestinians
Description
Family booklet that records all members of a family in one
document: mother, father and all children. When two people get
married, they move from their parents’ booklet into their own.
The ID card that every Syrian national should obtain once over the
age of 14. Used for official purposes and everyday use as proof of
nationality. One of the documents establishing right to vote when
reaching the age of 18. Issued by the civil registrar (Ministry of
Interior).
The identification document for Ajanib Kurds. Records the
individual as a registered foreigner. Not valid for travel outside
Syria. Issued by the civil registrar (Ministry of Interior).
Equivalent to Family Booklet for registered “foreigners”. Issued by
the civil registrar (Ministry of Interior).
Document issued by the local Mokhtar which states the identity of
the holder. It is often produced when an individual is not a citizen
of Syria and needs informal identification. It cannot be used for
formal identification, as it contains no validation from higher
authorities. However, it is sometimes stamped by officials at the
governate level.
Informal identification only. No rights attached to document and
holder cannot use it to travel outside Syria. Provided by the local
Mokhtar and can only be obtained and updated in Syria.
Used by Palestinians to travel abroad. Only available for
Palestinian refugees registered with the General Authority for
Palestinian Arab Refugees (i.e. those who entered in 1948 and/or
before 1956). Issued by the Ministry of Interior, Palestinian
Registrar.
Official proof of identity (used for official purposes and everyday
use). Confirms identity as a Palestinian refugee. Only available for
Palestinian refugees registered with the General Authority for
Palestinian Arab Refugees (i.e. those who entered in 1948 and/or
before 1956). Issued by the Ministry of Interior, Palestinian
Registrar.
Documents obtained from: Institute on Statelessness and Inclusion / Norwegian Refugee Council, Understanding statelessness in the
Syria refugee context, 2016, at 9, available at: https://www.refworld.org/docid/584021494.html. For further information on
documentation in Syria, see: Institute on Statelessness and Inclusion / Norwegian Refugee Council, Syriannationality.org – Syrian
Documents, 2016, available at: http://www.syrianationality.org/index.php?id=21. The Syrian Ministry of Interior (Civil Affairs Directorate)
and the UNHCR produced a joint paper in July 2018, which provides a useful overview of civil documentation in Syria, see: UNHCR and
Syrian Arab Republic, Civil Documentation and Registration in the Syrian Arab Republic, July 2018, available at:
https://www.unhcr.org/sy/wp-content/uploads/sites/3/2018/09/Personal-Documentation-En-Jul-2018.pdf
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