For a document issued by a foreign country to be valid in Türkiye, an apostille or consulate approval is required.
Apostille (1961 Hague Convention)
- 120+ countries are parties (including Turkey)
- One approval is sufficient
- It is obtained from the competent authority of the country that issued the document
- Usually 1-2 weeks process
Apostilled Documents
- Official documents (birth, marriage, death)
- Diploma and transcript
- Court decisions
- Notary documents
- Registry record
Consular Approval
- For countries that are not parties to apostille
- Document → the authority of that country authority → Turkish consulate in that country
- Longer process
Translation
- The document in a foreign language must be translated into Turkish
- Sworn translator
- Notary approval (where necessary)
Document from Türkiye to Abroad
- For the use of the Turkish document abroad apostille
- Provincial governorships / district governorship issues it
- Ministry of Justice (court documents)
- Ministry (professional documents)
Supreme Court 11. HD
11. HD accepts that apostille or consular approval is required for foreign documents to be accepted as evidence in Türkiye, and that incomplete certified documents will be returned.
Practical Recommendations
- Check which country requires apostille
- You can get the apostille yourself or through a lawyer
- Have the translation done by a sworn translator
- All documents must be submitted in the original. keep it
Foreigners law lawyer recommended.