Ministry of Interior issues decision to implement citizenship decree for Kurds

The Ministry of Interior of the Syrian Interim Government issued Decision No. 144/M based on Decree No. 13 of 2026 concerning the granting of Syrian citizenship to eligible Kurds.

According to the ministry, the decision is based on “the principles of the Constitutional Declaration that guarantee the protection of citizenship rights and equality among all citizens, with the aim of addressing legal statuses in a way that enhances social stability and national integration, and organizing the executive instructions necessary to implement the decree and ensure its transparency and integrity.”

The decision requires those wishing to obtain Syrian citizenship under the decree to submit a formal application to designated centers, either individually using Form No. 1, or as a family application submitted by the head of household on behalf of himself, his wife, and minor children using Form No. 2.

Applications must include an official identification certificate issued by the relevant local mukhtar, proof of residence supported by documents confirming the applicant’s presence on Syrian territory, in addition to any other official document proving such presence, such as electricity, water, or phone bills, officially certified school enrollment documents for children in Syrian schools, or any legal document accepted by the committee assigned to review applications.

The decision designates application centers in Damascus, Aleppo, Raqqa, Deir ez-Zor, and Hasakah. There will be one center in each of Damascus, Aleppo, Raqqa, and Deir ez-Zor, and five centers in Hasakah.

A committee will be formed at each center to review applications. It will be headed by a judge with the rank of counselor appointed by the Minister of Justice, and include a representative of civil affairs in the governorate as rapporteur, and a Kurdish community notable holding Syrian citizenship appointed by the governor.

The committee will receive and register applications, interview applicants, take their ten fingerprints, photograph them officially, review applications, and refer them to subcommittees within twenty working days from the end of the submission period.

The application period is set at thirty working days from the date the committees begin their work, with the possibility of extension by a decision of the Minister of Interior based on a proposal from the central committee.

In the concerned areas, subcommittees will be formed headed by the governor and including a judge of counselor rank in the Court of Appeal appointed by the Minister of Justice, and the director of civil affairs in the governorate as rapporteur. These subcommittees will supervise the centers, study naturalization requests, and refer them with recommendations to the central committee within ten working days. Results will be posted on the governorate’s notice boards and through any additional means ensuring notification of those concerned.

Those affected by the results of the subcommittees may submit a written objection to the central committee within fifteen days from the date of notification.

A central committee will also be formed, headed by the Deputy Minister of Interior for Civil Affairs, and including a judge of counselor rank at the Court of Cassation, a counselor from the State Council, the Director of Civil Status at the central administration, and a civil affairs employee as rapporteur.

The central committee will oversee the work of subcommittees, determine their schedules, decide on proposals and objections within fifteen working days, prepare lists of accepted and rejected applicants with reasons for rejection, and submit them to the Minister of Interior for approval within ten days.

After the objection stages are completed, the names of accepted applicants will be entered into a special statistical program and then transferred to the official electronic civil affairs system in preparation for registration in the records of Syrian citizens.

The decision states that if false information or document forgery is proven, the application will be annulled and legal action will be taken in accordance with applicable laws. Those affected by decisions of the central committee may appeal before the administrative judiciary pursuant to State Council Law No. 32 of 2019 and its amendments.

The decision will be published in the Official Gazette and enters into force as of its issuance on 18 February 2026.

ANHA