A marriage performed in Syria is recognised in India if valid under the applicable Syrian personal status law, and the certificate can be legalised, attested and translated. Couples can marry in India under the Special Marriage Act after 30 days' residence, or under their personal law with registration. After two years of a registered marriage, the Syrian spouse can usually apply for OCI.
- Document route
- Syrian notary, Ministry of Foreign Affairs legalisation, then Indian Embassy attestation
- Time difference
- IST is 2h30 ahead of Syria all year
- Hindu marriages
- Section 8, Hindu Marriage Act 1955
- Civil marriage
- Special Marriage Act 1954
Marriage Registration from Syria: how it works
For a marriage in India, we prepare the notice, affidavits and the foreign party's documents, including proof of single status, which may need to come from the Syrian Embassy in New Delhi.
For a Syrian marriage, we arrange legalisation, attestation and translation, and present the certificate to the Indian authority.
We also advise on registering an Indian marriage with the Syrian authorities if the couple may live there.
If the couple married in Syria during the conflict and the record is hard to obtain, we can prove the marriage with witnesses and other evidence, or arrange a fresh registration in India where the law allows.
What clients in Syria should know
- Proof of single status may come from the Syrian Embassy in India.
- Use identical name spellings.
- Register in both countries if needed.
Step by step from Syria
Video consultation
A call at a time that suits Syria, after we have read your documents.
Documents signed in Syria
Syrian notary, Ministry of Foreign Affairs legalisation, then Indian Embassy attestation
Work in India
Our team files, appears and follows up in India, and shares scans of everything filed.
Result and handover
Certified copies and originals are couriered to you in Syria where needed.
The full guide
This page covers what changes when you are in Syria. For the law, the documents and the step-by-step procedure, read our main page on Marriage Registration, or see all services for clients in Syria and the Cross-Border Family Law practice area.
Questions from clients in Syria
Can a Syrian student marry an Indian citizen in India?
Yes, under the Special Marriage Act or personal law.
Is a Syrian marriage valid in India?
Yes, if valid under Syrian law.
When can my spouse get OCI?
After two years of a registered marriage, subject to clearance.
Can we remarry in India to get a certificate?
In some cases a fresh registration under the Special Marriage Act is possible; we advise first.