Different dates of birth in Syrian documents: how to settle them before applying for residence or citizenship in Germany
Differences in the date of birth across official documents are a common problem faced by Syrians when applying for residence permits or German citizenship. Such inconsistencies can lead to delays or even rejection of the application, which is why they should be resolved before you submit your file.
Causes of differing dates of birth in Syrian documents
Clerical or printing errors in civil status registers.
Different dates appearing in official documents such as the birth certificate, passport or family book.
The use of different calendar systems (Hijri vs. Gregorian).
Personal or legal amendments that may have been made in the past (for example, later corrections or changes).
Steps to settle differences in the date of birth before applying
1. Collect all official documents
Gather every document that mentions your date of birth, in particular:
Birth certificate
Passport
National ID card
Family book or family registration extract
2. Contact the Syrian embassy or consulate in Germany
Ask the Syrian embassy or the competent consulate in Germany about the official procedures for correcting or unifying your date of birth.
You will usually need to submit a formal request to correct your data or to obtain a new document.
You may be required to complete specific forms and provide additional supporting documents.
3. Prove the correct date of birth
Submit supporting evidence that confirms your correct date of birth, for example:
School certificates or graduation documents
Medical records or reports
Other official documents that have shown the same date of birth for a long period of time
4. Record the change in Germany
After your date of birth has been corrected in your Syrian documents, the correction should, where necessary, also be reflected in Germany, for example:
By informing the competent immigration authority (Ausländerbehörde)
If needed, by notifying the local registration office or civil registry (Bürgeramt / Standesamt)
5. Inform the immigration or citizenship office
When you submit your application, include copies of the corrected documents along with a written explanation of the previous discrepancy.
Briefly explain that there was an error, how it was corrected and which date is now the binding official date.
Important tips
Do not submit a residence or citizenship application while your date of birth is still inconsistent across different documents, in order to avoid requests for clarification, delays or possible rejection.
If your situation is complex (very old documents, missing records, long periods abroad), seek assistance from an immigration lawyer or a specialised advisory service.
Keep all correspondence, confirmations and documents relating to the correction of your date of birth carefully filed.
Conclusion
Differences in the date of birth in Syrian documents are a frequent but solvable issue. By following the appropriate legal and administrative steps – starting with the Syrian representation abroad and then informing the German authorities – you can regularise your date of birth before applying. A unified, officially confirmed date of birth makes it much easier for the authorities to process your residence or citizenship application and significantly increases your chances of a swift and positive outcome.
The editorial and writing team of the website strives to provide accurate information based on extensive research and consultation of multiple sources. Nevertheless, errors may occur or some information may not be fully verified. Therefore, the information contained in these articles should be regarded as an initial point of reference, and you should always contact the competent authorities to obtain binding and confirmed information.
