Deaths

The Embassy in Damascus is ready to assist in the event an American citizen dies in Syria. The Consular Section has information on mortuaries, local requirements and costs of shipping remains to the U.S. In the event that a citizen dies unattended, the Consular Section will report the death to the Department of State and the next of kin. When the Consular Section is notified of the family's wishes, he/she will make the arrangements for the disposition of remains and the forwarding of personal effects. When an American citizen dies abroad, whether attended by family, business associates or no one, the Consular Section assists in the preparation of documents to meet local government requirements either for local burial or for transfer of remains to the United States.

In all cases, the death of an American citizen, whether resident or tourist in Syria, should be reported to the Embassy's Consular Section in Damascus. Upon completion of all formalities, the "Report of the Death of an American Citizen," based upon the local death certificate, is prepared by the Consular Section and forwarded to the next of kin or legal representative for use in U.S. courts to settle estate matters. This document is an administrative report that provides essential facts concerning the death of the U.S. citizen and the custody of the personal estate of the deceased. There is no charge for preparing the death report and sending one copy each to the legal representative and the closest known relative(s). Additional copies may be obtained free of charge at the Embassy's Consular Section in Damascus at the time of preparation or, after that time, from U.S. Passport Services, Correspondence Branch, Department of State, 1111 19th Street, NW, Suite 510, Washington D.C. 20522-1705, for a fee of $10.00 per copy.