Questions people ask

No. Syria is not part of the Hague Apostille Convention, so it is a chain of authentications: Notary Public, then your state's Secretary of State, then the US Department of State, then the Syrian Embassy in Washington, then the Syrian Ministry of Foreign Affairs in Damascus.

No. Doctors with equivalency from some other countries are asked for those, but US-trained doctors are not.

Plan for 9 months or more in total. The US Department of State step alone took about 2 months for several doctors, and the Board reviews files periodically (reportedly every 2 months).

Doctors recommend it, so you go through the chain once. Subspecialties that Syria doesn't recognize don't strictly need it, but they are worth doing if you plan academic work.

Partly. The specialty steps are the same, but the Board also asks for the equivalency decision (قرار المعادلة) from the Syrian Ministry of Higher Education. We don't know yet how to get that from the US.

We don't know yet. Nobody in our group has done it, so we can't say what is required or whether it comes before or after the Board.

We don't know yet. The open question is the practice letter covering the last 2 years, for doctors with long careers or who recently retired.

No. Notarize copies and keep the originals. The notary may want to see them.

Strictly, the specialty certificate and the training program description (items 2 and 3 of the Board order). Most doctors put every document through the chain, including the board certificate and the practice letter, to avoid repeating steps.

The Board order lists it. Some doctors got through with only the completion certificate showing start and end dates, and a recent report says the certificate may replace it. Get one if you can.

Where you work, your title, that you have practiced your specialty there for at least the past 2 years, and that you are a physician in good standing.

Probably not. An older summary lists it, but recent reports say it isn't needed.

Unclear. An older version of the application form lists "a recent Syndicate document" (وثيقة نقابية حديثة). A newer version of the form and the current Board order don't.

Yes. Get at least 2 authenticated sets of your key documents, and keep scans of everything.

The state where you live now, even for certificates from other states.

Usually the notary certificate is incomplete. It must have a correct statement, your signature or acknowledgement, whether you were "personally known" or "produced identification" (and which ID), and whether it was in person or online.

Yes, if you have a trip booked. Call to get a service or ticket number, then email ca-ppt-aut@state.gov with your travel ticket and tracking details.

No, not anymore. Show a valid Syrian passport with your name spelled exactly as on your documents, and translate in Syria. This was confirmed several times since late August 2026.

No, but someone has to take the documents in person. There is no mail service right now. Call first to get an appointment.

No. The embassy says no law firm or agency is authorized to do this.

Unclear. One report says fees are paid in Syria. A later report, from the consular office, says documents for degree and specialty equivalency are exempt from fees.

No. It stopped handling US documents on July 20, 2026. Use Washington.

In Syria, with a sworn translator (ترجمان محلف). The Board order requires it, and it is far cheaper than in the US.

A relative in Syria can usually get one issued for you with your photos and the fees, and send it to you. We don't know yet what to do if that isn't possible.