Getting Married in Turkey as a Foreigner

Foreigners can legally marry in Turkey, and the ceremony itself is quick. What takes time is the paperwork beforehand. Here is the checklist we see municipalities ask for most often, and the mistakes that send couples back to start.

The core documents

• Certificate of No Impediment. Also called a certificate of single status or capacity to marry. It confirms you are legally free to marry and is issued by your home country. It normally needs an apostille and a notarized Turkish translation. Some countries issue a multilingual version, which may only need the apostille translated.
• Passport and its translation. The photo page of your passport is usually translated into Turkish and notarized in Turkey.
• Birth certificate. Some marriage offices ask for it, with the same apostille and translation steps.
• A marriage health report. This is a medical report prepared for marriage purposes and obtained from health institutions in Turkey.
• Passport photos. Offices usually ask for several per person, so bring a spare set.
• If you were married before: the divorce decree or death certificate. If you changed your name or were adopted, offices may also ask for the paperwork showing that.

On the day

• A sworn translator. If you don't speak Turkish, offices generally require a sworn translator to be present at the application and the ceremony.
• Witnesses. Many marriage offices ask for two witnesses over 18, and close family members are often not allowed to act as witnesses. Ask your office.

The rules that catch couples out

• Documents expire. Municipalities commonly accept documents only for about six months from the issue date. If your wedding is later than expected, the paperwork may need renewing.
• Requirements vary. Each municipality and nationality can differ in small ways, such as how many photos or which extra documents are needed. Check with the marriage office before you gather everything.
• Spelling errors are rejected. A name or number that doesn't match your passport, including errors that appear in translation, can stop the application until it's fixed.
• Originals only. Offices often want original, signed and sealed documents with their apostilles, not photocopies.

After the wedding

Once your marriage is registered, you receive the Family Book (Aile Cüzdanı), the official record of your marriage in Turkey. If you need it recognized in your home country, it is usually apostilled. Check with your home country's authorities exactly what they require.

How we help

Our marriage service covers the practical side: guidance on your document checklist, sworn translations, notary certification, coordination with the municipality, and the apostille on your Family Book afterwards. Message us your nationality and we'll send the checklist that applies to you.