Short answer: a power of attorney for Türkiye can be granted abroad in two ways: at a Turkish consulate (for example in Moscow, Kazan or Almaty), in Turkish and usable without an apostille or translation; or at a local notary, followed by an apostille, a sworn Turkish translation and notarisation of that translation in Türkiye. For property deals it needs a sealed photo and expressly stated powers.
Last updated: 13 October 2026.
Foreign owners living in Russia, Kazakhstan or elsewhere often need someone to act for them in Türkiye: to sell or buy a flat in Alanya, complete an inheritance transfer, run a court case or close a bank account. If the form is wrong, the land registry (tapu) or the court will reject the document and the process stalls.
What are the two ways to grant a power of attorney from abroad?
| Point | Turkish consulate | Local notary + apostille |
|---|---|---|
| Language | Turkish | Local language (e.g. Russian) |
| Apostille | Not needed | Needed |
| Translation | Not needed; if you do not speak Turkish, you attend with the consulate's sworn translator | Sworn translation in Türkiye, certified by a Turkish notary |
| Appointment | Via konsolosluk.gov.tr, in person | Under local notary rules |
| Getting it to Türkiye | Your attorney can obtain a copy from any notary in Türkiye | The apostilled original must be sent |
How does the consulate route work?
Under Article 191 of the Turkish Notaries Law (No. 1512), notarial acts abroad are performed by Turkish consuls, so a consular power of attorney is a Turkish notarial document. You book a notarial appointment on konsolosluk.gov.tr and attend in person; powers of attorney are not issued by post. The Turkish Consulate General in Almaty, for example, asks foreigners for a passport, two passport photos taken within the last six months, the attorney's identity details, title deed details for property matters and account details for bank matters. Applicants who do not speak Turkish must come with one of the consulate's sworn translators. Sending the draft text in Word format by e-mail in advance speeds things up. Since 19 August 2019 the attorney can obtain a copy of a consular power of attorney from any notary in Türkiye.
Practice varies: some consulates state that foreign nationals may only grant powers of attorney for land registry matters there. Check with your consulate before booking. In Russia, Türkiye has an embassy in Moscow and consulates general in Kazan, Krasnodar and St Petersburg; in Kazakhstan, an embassy in Astana and consulates general in Almaty, Aktau and Turkistan (moskova-be.mfa.gov.tr, astana-be.mfa.gov.tr). Ask honorary consulates in advance whether they handle notarial acts.
How does the local notary and apostille route work?
Russia, Kazakhstan and Türkiye are all parties to the 1961 Hague Apostille Convention (HCCH status table); so are Ukraine and Belarus. The steps are:
- a local notary certifies the power of attorney, with your photo attached and sealed if it will be used at the tapu;
- the competent authority of that country adds an apostille (in Russia, the Ministry of Justice bodies for notarial documents);
- the original is sent to Türkiye;
- a sworn translator translates it into Turkish and a Turkish notary certifies the translation.
Check that names match the passports in Latin script and that the property is described precisely. State the term of validity expressly, as default rules differ between countries.
What powers do the tapu, courts and banks require?
According to the Land Registry (TKGM), referring to Circular No. 2010/7, the power of attorney must bear a recent, identifiable passport photo of the grantor, glued on and sealed; documents with the photo merely stapled are not accepted. Under Article 504 of the Turkish Code of Obligations (No. 6098), without special authority an agent cannot, among other things, file a lawsuit, settle, make a gift, transfer real estate or encumber it.
- Sale or purchase: name the property (title details), the right to sell or buy, sign at the tapu and receive or pay the price; photo required.
- Mortgage: an express power to create (and if needed release) a mortgage.
- Court cases: under Article 76 of the Code of Civil Procedure (HMK, No. 6100) a lawyer files a power of attorney certified or drawn up by a notary; under Article 56 of the Attorneys Act (No. 1136) such powers follow a single standard form. Article 74 HMK requires express authority for settlement, waiver, acceptance of the claim and for cases concerning strictly personal rights, so a divorce must be named expressly.
- Banks: each bank may set its own conditions; name the bank, accounts and actions, and ask the bank beforehand whether it will accept the document.
Before a purchase, see how to check a tapu in Türkiye; for inheritance cases, the certificate of inheritance in Türkiye; for rental income returns filed by a representative, rental income tax for foreigners.
How do you revoke a power of attorney?
Under Article 512 TBK the principal may end the mandate at any time. Under Article 42, if third parties were told about the authority, the revocation cannot be relied on against them in good faith until they are notified. TKGM notes that revocation needs no particular form, but in practice it is safer to have a revocation (azilname) drawn up by a notary or a Turkish consulate, served on the attorney and notified to the tapu and the bank. The authority also ends on death or loss of capacity unless agreed otherwise (Articles 43 and 513 TBK).
Frequently asked questions
Does a consular power of attorney need an apostille?
No. The consul acts as a Turkish notary, so the document is used in Türkiye directly.
How long is a power of attorney valid?
Until its stated term expires or it ends by revocation or by law. TKGM states that even a power of attorney more than 10 years old can be used if no ground for termination exists.
Can I sign it in Türkiye instead?
Yes. A Turkish notary will draw it up in Turkish, with a sworn interpreter if you do not speak the language (Article 74, Notaries Law); no apostille is needed.
How can a lawyer help?
By drafting the Turkish text for the specific transaction or case, checking it against tapu, court and bank requirements and acting under it. See lawyer for foreigners in Alanya, real estate lawyer in Alanya and lawyer in Antalya.
This article is general information as of 13 October 2026 and is not individual legal advice. Consulate, land registry and bank requirements change; check them on konsolosluk.gov.tr and with the institution concerned on the date you act.
Rufina Taştan Law Office — lawyer in Alanya: legal advice in English, Russian and Turkish.
