Systems and methods providing ciphertext switching for syntax compliant encryption are described. In one aspect, intermediate ciphertext is generated from syntax compliant plaintext. Post-processing is applied to the intermediate ciphertext to determine if there are any illegal symbols in the intermediate ciphertext. If an illegal symbol is located, the illegal symbol in the intermediate ciphertext is switched with a corresponding plaintext symbol. One or more iterations of the post-processing and switching operations result in syntax compliant ciphertext.