Full consular legalization for use in Syria
Your UK documents must go through consular legalization for Syria before they can be accepted by Syrian authorities. The staff at Leicester Register Office can provide certified copies of any civil records you need, such as birth, marriage or death certificates, from their location at 115 Charles Street. It is wise to obtain fresh certified copies for the process of document legalization for Syria rather than submitting your only original record.
The route involves two main stages. First, the paperwork must be authenticated by the Legalisation Office of the Foreign, Commonwealth & Development Office. Then it will go to the Syrian embassy or consulate general for the final embassy attestation for Syria. Each department will place its stamps and signatures on the file.
Step by step from Leicester to Syria
Begin by gathering what you need. If your file is a birth, marriage or death record, visit Leicester Registration Service to order an official copy. This replaces the need to part with your original. For other types of paperwork, ensure it carries the proper notary seals before proceeding further through the chain of embassy legalization for Syria from Leicester.
Next, send your paperwork to the FCDO Legalisation Office at PO Box 6255, Milton Keynes. A fee applies for the authentication stamp. Once the office completes its checks, the papers will be ready for the final consular step. The department does not receive visitors; this happens only by post.
What Syria requires at the consulate
The Syrian consulate will review all documents previously stamped by the FCDO Legalisation Office. They are checking that each paper clearly shows the needed legalize documents for Syria stamps and signatures. Any supporting evidence should be complete at this stage, as the consulate will not process applications with missing parts.
Processing times for consular legalization for Syria typically take up to ten working days from when the embassy receives the complete application. Mailed submissions go more smoothly when all pages are clearly readable and no staples or sticky notes are used. Double-check that the name on each paper matches exactly, as even small differences can hold up the process.
Fees and translation needs
Current fees include about forty-five pounds sterling for the FCDO legalisation stamp, plus separate consular charges. The exact amount depends on the document type and whether standard or express service is chosen. No hidden administration costs apply beyond these official fees for the consular legalization.
Arabic translations of all English documents may be required by the Syrian authorities, though the consulate gives specific guidance for each case. If you are told to translate, use a sworn linguist recognised by the courts. The Syrian embassy will then certify both the originals and the Arabic versions as part of the legalization.