What is an Apostille in Turkey and How Can You Get One?

If you’re a foreigner living in Turkey, dealing with documents for legal matters, travel, or work, you’ve probably heard the term Apostille thrown around. But what exactly is it? And why do you need it? Don’t worry! I’ll break it down for you in the simplest way possible.

What is an Apostille?

An official certification known as an apostille confers legal validity on a document in another nation. Consider it an all-encompassing endorsement! An apostille is typically required to verify the authenticity of any Turkish document used overseas or a foreign document used in Turkey.
The Hague Apostille Convention, which more than 100 nations, including Turkey, have ratified, serves as the foundation for the Apostille system. This implies that your document will be accepted in each of these nations without requiring additional legalization if it contains an apostille from Turkey.

What is included in a Turkish apostille? 

• The nation that is issuing the apostille
• The signer's name on the apostille 
• The signer's title on the apostille 
• The issuing authority's stamp 
• Location of the issue Date of the issue 
• The apostille's composing authority 
• Apostille number 
• The apostille's stamp of authority 
• The signer's signature on the apostille

When Is an Apostille Necessary?

• Using your birth certificate, marriage certificate, or criminal record in another nation may require an apostille in Turkey.
• Providing Turkish legal documents for immigration or visa applications
• Internationally proving power of attorney
• Presenting academic transcripts or diplomas
• Documentation pertaining to business or trade

In essence, an apostille may be necessary for any government document that must be utilized outside of Turkey.

Turkey's Apostille Certification

• Charges and Validity: As long as the document itself is valid, an apostille stamp or certificate is still in effect. If the document contains a validity period, when that term passes, the apostille is no longer valid. 
• In Turkey, the process of getting an apostille is free. Nevertheless, translation agencies may bill for their services.
• Legal Framework and Requirements: Official documents meant for use in another Hague Convention 2 contracting state must be apostilled.
  It's important to refer to particular legal statutes or regulations for documents that need to be certified by an apostille in Turkey. Law No. 4721, Law No. 6098, Law No. 6100, and Law No. 6102 are pertinent statutes that can be accessed for comprehensive details on the legal framework governing apostille certification in Turkey.

Which Documents Can Get an Apostille in Turkey?

Not every document qualifies for an Apostille, but here are some common ones:

• Birth, marriage, and death certificates
• Court rulings and legal decisions
• Diplomas, transcripts, and academic certificates
• Criminal record certificates
• Notarized documents (such as power of attorney or contracts)

How to Get an Apostille in Turkey?

Now, let’s get to the important part—how to actually obtain an Apostille in Turkey. The process is simpler than you think! Here’s what you need to do:

Step 1: Locate the Application Location

Depending on the kind of document, many authorities in Turkey grant apostille:

• District Governor's Office (Kaymakamlık) → If the document is issued in a smaller district 
• Courts → If the document is a court judgement or a legal ruling 
• Governor's Office (Valilik) → For documents issued by civil registries (such as birth, marriage, or death certificates)

Step 2: Get Your Files Ready

Make sure your document is original or an officially certified copy before submitting an apostille application. If it is a notary-approved document (such as a power of attorney), it must first be notarised. Be sure you are carrying your passport or ID.

Step 3: Send in Your Application

Request an apostille by bringing your document to the relevant office (the Court, the District Governor's Office, or the Governor's Office). Usually, there is no cost or a nominal administrative charge.

A sworn translation, notarisation, and permission from the consulate and district governorship are necessary if the document comes from a nation that is not a signatory to the Hague Convention .

Step 4: Obtain Your Apostille in Step Four

The Apostille stamp or certificate will be applied to your document after it has been accepted. This indicates that it can now be used internationally!

How Much Time Does It Take?

Depending on the office and workload, the process is typically finished the same day or in a few working days.

What Happens If the Apostille Convention Doesn't Apply to the Country Where You're Using the Document?

You will probably require additional legalisation at the Turkish Ministry of Foreign Affairs as well as the embassy or consulate of the nation where you must use your document if it is not covered by the Apostille Convention.

Advice for Obtaining a Successful Turkish Apostille Certification 

Take into account the following advice to guarantee a valid apostille certification in Turkey:

• Recognise Apostille Components: Learn the key elements of an apostille document, such as the nation name, the name and title of the signatory, the issuing authority, the date of certification, the apostille number, and the issuing authority's seal or stamp. This information makes it easier to confirm if your apostille document is complete. 
• Secure Document Handling: Make sure that your papers are treated securely from beginning to end, considering how important document security is during the apostille process. For official translations , this entails selecting trustworthy, qualified translation agencies or government-approved agencies such as the Ministry of Justice's Translation and Interpreting Department. All required identity documents should be given, and notarisation should be performed by a qualified notary public
• Handling Non-Hague Convention Documents: A more involved procedure that includes consular legalisation, sworn translation into Turkish, notarisation, and approval by the District Governor's Office in Turkey is necessary for documents coming from nations that are not parties to the Hague Convention . It is essential to comprehend this procedure in order to handle such documents efficiently.

To summarize, although getting an apostille in Turkey isn't difficult, it can save you a lot of time if you know where to go and what to do. Whether you're addressing legal affairs, studying abroad, or asking for a visa, an apostille guarantees that your Turkish documents are accepted globally.