Foreign couples residing in Turkey often need to change their marital status. All foreigners legally residing in Turkey can register a marriage or divorce. The marriage and divorce procedures for non-residents are the same as the general laws in Turkey. A list of required documents and more details on each procedure are below.
How can foreigners get married in Turkey?
According to the Civil Code of the Republic of Turkey, a foreigner can marry in Turkey either with a Turkish citizen or with a citizen of a second country.
To get married in Turkey, you need to collect the necessary documents, set a date at the registry office (evlendırme memurluğu), and attend the ceremony with two witnesses.
If the bride and groom are citizens of the same country, they can marry at their country's consulate or at a Turkish marriage registration office (evlendırme memurluğu). If the newlyweds are from different countries, the marriage can only be registered at a Turkish marriage registration office (evlendırme memurluğu).
Benefits of Marriage Registration in Turkey
Registering a marriage in Turkey has many advantages: the procedure is relatively simple and quick, the marriage is legally valid worldwide, there's no need to apply for permanent residence in Turkey before the wedding, and the bride and groom can be citizens of different countries. Another important advantage is that Turkey is a country where finding a good location for a wedding ceremony or photo shoot is easy.
Step-by-step instructions for registering a marriage in Turkey
To register a marriage, foreigners must be legally residing in Turkey. If the couple is residing in Turkey on a visa, the marriage must take place before the visa expires. If you have a permanent residence permit in Turkey, you must ensure that it is also valid.
1. Prepare the required package of documents:
• International passport.
• A certificate of marital status is issued at the country’s consulate and approved by the Turkish Ministry of Foreign Affairs.
• Birth certificate of the bride and groom with an apostille.
• Notarized translation of international passports, birth certificates and certificates of marital status.
• Photos 4.5x6 cm, non-biometric – 6 pieces.
• A certificate with an apostille confirming the change of data (for those who previously changed their last name or first name).
2. Undergo a medical examination and obtain a medical certificate (sağlık raporu) – this procedure applies to both foreigners and citizens. The list of tests includes: a lung X-ray, a complete blood count (CBC) to determine blood type and Rh factor, a test for Mediterranean anemia, a test for hepatitis, syphilis, and AIDS, a genetic test for spinal muscular atrophy, and a test for certain infectious diseases and STIs.
An obstacle to marriage may be the presence of one of the following diseases: syphilis, leprosy, gonorrhea, chancroid, and tuberculosis.
3. Submit your application to your local marriage registration office (evlendirme memurluğu) and choose a date.
If the newlyweds do not speak Turkish or speak it poorly, a translator must be available at the application stage and at the wedding ceremony itself.
Important! Turkey has a law requiring a woman to wait 300 days after a divorce before remarrying. If the bride's country of origin doesn't impose a waiting period, you don't have to comply with this requirement before getting married in Turkey. However, Turkish marriage registration officials tend to adhere to this rule. Therefore, before submitting documents, the bride should be informed of this law and understand her rights.
A local team of experienced lawyers will help you navigate all the intricacies of domestic law in Turkey. Whether you need help with marriage registration, medical examinations, or preparing divorce documents, book a legal consultation and handle all the formalities with ease.
Divorce under Turkish law
Foreigners who have decided to get a divorce should be aware that there are two types of divorce procedures in Turkey: divorce by mutual consent and divorce without agreement.
• Divorce by mutual consent is a common and quick way to end a marriage. However, it is only possible if the spouses have decided to separate peacefully, having discussed all the terms beforehand. The parties enter into a property division agreement and agree on the amount of compensation and alimony payments. They then apply to the family court in their place of residence. The court may adjust the terms of the protocol if it limits someone's rights. The divorce process is completed in a single hearing.
• Divorce without agreement – the divorce process is initiated by one spouse, and the other receives notice. Grounds for divorce include: spousal dysfunction, physical and emotional abuse, mental illness of one spouse, a crime committed by one spouse, alcohol or drug addiction, immoral lifestyle, and irreconcilable differences. The process can be complex and lengthy, typically lasting 2-3 years or more. To formalize the divorce, one party submits a statement outlining all claims and arguments, then a court hearing is scheduled. The entire divorce procedure is conducted through court hearings.