Guide to civil marriage in Turkey

Which documents are required?

The documents typically requested for the foreign spouse are as follows (the local marriage office may request more):

• Valid passport

  The foreign spouse's valid passport with a notarized Turkish translation. Legal presence in Turkey (visa/visa exemption or residence permit) is required.

• Birth certificate

  A birth certificate from the civil registry of the home country; it must carry an apostille and a Turkish translation by a sworn translator.

• Certificate of no impediment (celibacy certificate)

  A document showing there is no legal obstacle to the marriage. Obtained from the competent authority in the home country or from the country's consulate in Turkey; apostille and Turkish translation required. Divorced or widowed applicants also need the final divorce decree or the spouse's death certificate.

• Apostille and sworn translation

  Documents from abroad are certified with an apostille in Hague Convention countries; consular legalization is needed for non-member countries. All documents are translated into Turkish by a sworn translator and notarized.

• Health report

  A report showing no contagious disease preventing marriage; obtained in Turkey from a family health center or state hospital (for both spouses).

• Biometric photos

  Biometric photos of both spouses taken within the last six months.

The process step by step

1. Gather documents from the home country

   The birth certificate and certificate of no impediment are obtained from the home country authorities (or its consulate in Turkey); the apostille is arranged at this stage.

2. Translation and notarization

   In Turkey, all foreign documents are translated by a sworn translator and notarized.

3. Apply to the marriage office

   The couple applies together to the marriage office of the municipality where one of them resides; documents are reviewed and a ceremony date is set.

4. Complete the health report

   The health report required for the application file is obtained at a family health center or state hospital.

5. The wedding ceremony

   The civil marriage is performed before a marriage registrar with at least two witnesses. A sworn interpreter is required at the ceremony for a spouse who does not speak Turkish.

6. International marriage registration

   After the ceremony you receive the international family record book and the multilingual marriage certificate (Formule B); notifying the consulate may be necessary for the marriage to be recognized in the spouse's home country.

After the wedding: family residence permit and citizenship (summary)

A foreign spouse married to a Turkish citizen can apply for a family residence permit at the Presidency of Migration Management (by appointment via the e-ikamet system). The family residence permit is granted for up to three years at a time and requires a genuine marriage; officials may interview the spouses.

A foreign spouse who has been married to a Turkish citizen for at least three years, with the marriage still ongoing, becomes eligible to apply for Turkish citizenship. Citizenship is not granted automatically; the application goes through review and an interview.

Residence and citizenship legislation can change; confirm the current conditions through the Migration Management's official channels.

Detailed guides:Family residence permitWork permit for a foreign spouse

How are foreign documents apostilled and translated?

Official documents from abroad are certified with an apostille in countries party to the 1961 Hague Apostille Convention; the apostille is issued by the competent authority of the country that produced the document. For countries outside the convention, the document is legalized by the Turkish consulate in that country.

In Turkey the apostilled document is translated by a sworn translator and the translation is notarized. Some marriage offices ask that documents not be older than a set period, so obtaining the birth certificate and the certificate of no impediment shortly before applying saves time.

Which documents does a family residence permit application require?

Under Article 34 of Law No. 6458 on foreigners and international protection, a family residence permit is granted for up to three years at a time. The application is made through the e-ikamet system of the Presidency of Migration Management; on the appointment day the documents are submitted to the provincial directorate of migration management.

The file typically contains the application form, copies of the passport and ID, biometric photos, the marriage certificate or international family record book, the civil registry extract of the Turkish citizen spouse, valid health insurance and proof of the address (rental contract or title deed). The exact list varies by office and application type, so confirm the current version through the Migration Management's own announcements.

A genuine marriage is the core condition for this permit: the administration may interview the spouses and verify the address. The extension application must be filed before the permit expires.

When can you apply for Turkish citizenship through marriage?

Under Article 16 of Turkish Citizenship Law No. 5901, a foreign national who has been married to a Turkish citizen for at least three years, with the marriage still ongoing, may apply to acquire Turkish citizenship.

The law also requires living in family unity, refraining from activity incompatible with the marriage union, and having no obstacle in terms of national security and public order. The application is filed with the provincial directorate of civil registration and nationality, followed by review of the file and an interview.

Citizenship is not granted automatically once the period is complete; the decision rests on the administration's assessment. Turkish language proficiency is not listed in this article; it belongs to Article 11, which governs the general naturalization route.

Official sources

• Presidency of Migration Management

  Family residence permit conditions, current document lists and announcements.

• e-ikamet

  Residence permit application and appointment system.

• Directorate General of Civil Registration and Nationality

  Marriage records, civil registry and citizenship applications.

• Consular services of the Ministry of Foreign Affairs

  Apostille, consular legalization and procedures abroad.

The links go to official institution websites and open in a new tab.

Frequently asked questions