After years of hiding under a false identity, a Syrian father in Jordan reclaims his name and secures a future for his family.
"I finally felt like we existed"
Life in hiding
Salem Al-Ahmad* fled Syria in 2012, using his cousin’s name to escape arrest as a military deserter. Once in Jordan, he was able to register as an asylum seeker and obtain a Ministry of Interior card. He settled in Al Lubban, west of Amman, where he married Buthainah, a fellow refugee. Together, they had five children: Tasneem, Nidal, Omar, Sinan, and Ameer, all registered under Salem’s assumed name.
“As long as it was just me, I could live with the lie [using his cousin’s name],” Salem says. “But when my children were born, especially two with health issues, I realised I was putting their future at risk.”
Without proper documentation with their correct identity, access to healthcare and education would be limited.
A complex path to recognition
In 2022, Salem approached the Norwegian Refugee Council’s (NRC) information, counselling and legal assistance (ICLA) programme for support. His case required coordination with several government bodies: the Civil Status and Passports Department (CSPD), the Syrian Refugee Affairs Directorate (SRAD), and the Sharia court. SRAD confirmed his use of false documents but noted that his case qualified under a government amnesty.
With legal support, Salem submitted affidavits and evidence. After months of proceedings, his identity and family records were legally corrected. The marriage certificate was amended, new or corrected birth certificates were issued for all five children, and even a surname error for Buthainah was fixed to match Syrian records.
Dignity restored
The corrected documents allowed access to services. Nidal and Omar can now receive medical care, and Tasneem, their daughter, was able to return to school. Legal identity not only meant protection, but it also instilled peace of mind.
“There were days I lost hope,” Salem says, “When I held the papers with our real names, I finally felt like we existed.”
Salem’s story reflects the complex situations some Syrians in Jordan face after fleeing their country in fear. Situations that often require intensive legal support to resolve. With the generous support of the Kingdom of Denmark, NRC’s ICLA programme has been representing refugees in Jordan who are navigating these legal challenges.
*Names of project participants changed to protect their identity.
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