Affidavit & Consent Letter in Turkey
Embassies, airlines, schools and foreign authorities regularly ask for a signed statement before a notary: an affidavit to declare a fact, or a consent letter to give permission. The wording and the formalities decide whether the document is accepted, so it pays to get both right the first time.
What is an affidavit?
An affidavit is a written statement of facts, signed by the person making it in front of a notary. The notary confirms who signed and that they signed it. What the statement says remains the signer's own responsibility.
Typical uses include declaring marital status, confirming that two spellings of a name belong to the same person, stating a family relationship, or confirming financial support. Which statements an office will accept, and how they must be worded, is up to the office that receives it.
What is a consent letter?
A consent letter is a parent's or guardian's written permission, signed before a notary. The most common case is a child travelling abroad with only one parent, or with another adult such as a grandparent or relative. Consent letters are also used for a child studying or living abroad.
Whether a consent letter is required at all depends on the destination country, the airline and the situation. Ask them before you book anything, and ask what the letter must contain.
How it works
| Step | What happens |
|---|---|
| 1. Tell us the purpose and the country | Who will receive the document, and what they have asked for |
| 2. Send us the draft | The draft of the consent letter or affidavit from the person or office in your home country who asked for it, so the wording fits |
| 3. Signing before the notary | In person, by appointment, with your identity document |
| 4. Translation and notarization, if needed | When the receiving office needs another language |
| 5. Apostille or legalization | Depending on whether the destination is a Hague member — see Apostille or Consular Legalization? |
The signer has to appear before the notary in person. These documents are signed at our office by appointment and cannot be done online.
What to prepare
- The draft of the consent letter or affidavit, sent to us beforehand by the person or office in your native country who requires it. This is the best way to make sure the text fits what they expect.
- Your identity document, with your name spelled the way it appears on your passport.
- For a consent letter: the child's full name and passport details, the destination, the travel dates, and the full name of the person travelling with the child.
- For an affidavit: the name of the office that will receive it, along with their draft or wording.
Mistakes that cost time
- Using your own wording instead of the requested draft. Some offices want specific wording or specific details in the document. Ask them for a draft first.
- Name spellings that don't match the passport. This is a frequent reason for rejection, especially once the document is translated.
- Missing details in a consent letter. Dates, destination and the accompanying adult's name are commonly expected. A vague letter is easy to challenge at the airport or border.
- Not checking who has to sign. Some destinations or airlines want consent from one parent, others from both. Confirm before the appointment.
- Not checking for a validity period. Some offices only accept recently dated documents. Ask before you sign.
- Getting an apostille when the destination isn't a Hague member. Those countries need legalization instead.
How we help
Send us the draft you received from the person or office abroad, and we'll book your appointment with the notary and handle the translation, notarization and apostille or legalization when they are needed. If you don't have a draft, tell us the country and what the document is for, and we can prepare the text. If you also need a power of attorney, see our guide to power of attorney in Turkey for foreigners.
Need an affidavit or consent letter for use abroad? Tell us the country and the purpose.
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