Passport Translation

Many foreigners are surprised to be asked for a translated passport. It sounds unnecessary, but for many transactions in Turkey the passport is the main proof of identity, and the offices involved work in Turkish. A translated, notarized passport is a small step that comes up often.

Where it comes up

• Notary transactions. A power of attorney, for example, is often prepared with a translation of the passport. See Power of Attorney for Property and Vehicles.
• Property transactions and other dealings with offices that need to identify a foreigner.
• Other official procedures where an office wants to read your identity details in Turkish.

Whether you need a translated passport depends on the transaction and the office. Ask what is required, or tell us what the transaction is and we will confirm.

What to bring or send

• Your valid passport. If you are sending an image first, make sure the identity page is clear, with nothing cut off and no glare.
• The purpose. Tell us what the translation is for, so it matches what the receiving office needs.
• Your Turkish tax number or residence permit, if you have one. If you need a tax number, we take care of it. See Tax Number in Turkey for Foreigners.

Sworn and notarized

For use with Turkish authorities and notaries, a translation is usually made by a sworn translator, and in many cases it is also notarized. The receiving office decides which it wants. See Sworn vs. Notarized Translation in Turkey for the difference.

Names and spellings

A passport translation is where names are fixed in Turkish, so it has to be right. If your passport is in Arabic, Cyrillic or Chinese characters, or your name has several accepted spellings, the translation will follow the Latin spelling on the passport. Every other document in the same transaction should match it. See Names in Translation.

Mistakes that cost time

• An expired or nearly expired passport. Check the validity date before you start. Some offices won't accept it.
• A blurry or incomplete image. Everything on the identity page should be readable.
• Using a different passport for different documents. If you hold more than one passport, use the same one throughout.
• Name mismatches with other documents. Check that your certificates, contracts and other papers spell your name the way your passport does.
• Not asking what the office needs. Whether it wants a translation, a notarized translation or both is the office's decision.

How we help

Tell us what the translation is for and send a clear image of your passport's identity page. We will confirm what the receiving office needs and handle the sworn translation and the notarization.