MARRIAGE OF FOREIGNERS IN TURKEY

Applications of foreigners regarding their marriage wishes are accepted by the marriage office; The provisions of the Marriage Regulation on the marriage of Turkish citizens also find applications for foreigners.

A. WHAT IS THE COMPETENT AUTHORITY FOR THE MARRIAGE OF FOREİGNERS IN TURKEY?

The marriage of foreigners in Turkey is regulated by the Marriage Regulation. According to this; Two foreigners, who are citizens of the same state, can marry before Turkish authorities (municipal marriage offices and civil registration officers), as well as in front of the Consulates of their country of citizenship in Turkey, provided that their national laws authorize them.

However; In Turkey, a Turkish citizen and a foreigner or two foreigners who are not citizens of the same state can get married in front of an authorized Turkish marriage officer. Therefore, citizens of two different foreign states can't marry in front of the Consulate. With the Marriage Regulation, the marriage authority of foreign consuls in Turkey is also clearly limited "according to the citizenship of the persons to be married". Because, in our law, Consulates are authorized to marry only those who are citizens of the state they represent, in case both foreigners are citizens of their own country. (regarding TMK m. 144, Marriage Reg. m.12/f.2)

B. WHO IS WITHIN THE SCOPE OF AUTHORIZED TURKISH OFFICIALS?

In the marriage of foreigners in Turkey, except for the Consulate, the authorized official authorities authorized to marry are the municipal marriage offices and the population managers. Mufti offices and provincial and district mufti do not have the authority to marry foreigners.
If there are foreigners, they can apply to the marriage office where their address records are located. If not, they can apply to the marriage office where they are staying.

C. WHAT ARE THE DOCUMENTS REQUIRED FOR FOREIGNERS TO GET MARRIED IN TURKEY?

When foreign nationals go to the marriage offices to make an official marriage in Turkey, many marriage offices look for the condition of being within the residence or visa period for the marriage process. And even many marriage offices can refuse civil marriages of foreigners who do not have a residence permit. Therefore, there may be changes in the requested documents depending on the marriage office applied for.
After applying to the relevant marriage office, a marriage file is prepared on behalf of the parties. The validity period of the marriage files is six months from the issuance date of the "Marriage License Certificate", and if the marriage does not take place within this period, the file is canceled. Therefore, the legal validity period of all documents is 6 months. (180 Days)

D. WHICH DOCUMENTS ARE REQUIRED FOR FOREIGN MARRIAGE PROCEDURES?

Marriage declaration issued as two examples: They must apply to the municipality of the place of residence, fill out the application petition called "Marriage Declaration" and submit it in person.
Marriage License Certificate - Celibacy Certificate: For foreigners, it has been issued by the competent authorities in a way that shows the person's name, surname, parents' name, date of birth and place of birth, marital status, nationality, passport and identity number (whether there is a state of preventing marriage) and certified document; "Marriage License Document" must be provided. “If there is no name of the parents in the Marriage License Document, a valid document showing the name of the parents or a duly certified Birth Certificate is sought.

The certificate of celibacy should include a statement stating that there is no objection to the marriage of the person.

If the certificate of celibacy is to be issued in the foreigner's country, it must be certified by the Turkish Consulate or Embassy there, or Apostille procedures must be done. Also, a notarized translation of the document must be made.

The Certificate of Celibacy can be obtained from the Consulate of the country authorized by the Governorship of Istanbul. If the applicants do not have a consulate in Istanbul, the document can be issued by the Ankara Embassy of the foreign country. The document obtained in this way must be certified by the Ministry of Foreign Affairs of the Republic of Turkey in Ankara.

In the certificate of celibacy; If the woman is a widow, the date of death of her spouse will be written, and if she is divorced, the date of divorce will be written. And the divorced or widowed woman will bring a Birth Certificate indicating her maiden name.

Accommodation Certificate/Residence Permit: If both spouses to be married are foreigners, a letter must be written by the accommodation facility (hotel, hostel, etc.) they are staying in Turkey. This letter should specify the length of stay and the date of departure. Some marriage offices do not consider the accommodation certificate sufficient. For this reason, it may be stipulated that at least one of the foreigners has a residence permit. Therefore, it can be requested in the Residence Permit. For example; While the Bahçelievler Marriage Office did not request a residence permit, the Küçükçekmece Marriage Office required the existence of a residence permit.

Health Report: A health report must be obtained from a state health institution called a “Health Center” or “State Hospital”. No reports from private hospitals or clinics will be accepted. In particular, reports from Family Physicians are accepted.

Passport Photograph: Six or four passport photos of the bride and groom are required.

Passports: Passport and visa must not expire and a notarized Turkish translation of the passport is required.

If the couples do not speak Turkish, they will have a sworn translator and their statements will be filled in accompanied by an interpreter. It is obligatory to have an interpreter at the wedding.