Short answer: a document from your home country is usually used in Turkey in three steps: apostille in the issuing country → translation by a sworn translator in Turkey → certification of the translation by a Turkish notary (noter). If you do not speak Turkish, a sworn translator must attend any notarial act, and a notarial deed requires your Turkish tax number. Turkish documents for use abroad are apostilled by the governorship or district governorship (administrative) or the judicial commission (court documents).
Last updated: 1 November 2026.
What do you need at a Turkish notary?
| Item | Basis / note |
|---|---|
| Passport | identification |
| Turkish tax number | Art. 84 of Notaries Law No. 1512 — see tax number and bank account |
| Sworn translator | mandatory if you do not speak Turkish (Art. 74); cannot be a relative or interested party (Art. 76) |
| Photos | for powers of attorney used at the land registry |
For translations, the notary adds an annotation with the sworn translator's details, date, signature and seal (Art. 103). Notary fees follow an annual tariff.
Powers of attorney: what matters
The most common notarial act for foreigners is a power of attorney. For a property sale it should name the property (block and parcel), the right to sign and to receive payment; vague wording is a frequent reason for refusal at the land registry. Photos are attached for land registry use. A litigation power of attorney lists special powers such as settlement separately. A power of attorney can be revoked at any notary by a notice of revocation served on the agent.
How long does it take?
With documents and a translator ready, a notarial act is usually done the same day; a sworn translation takes from a few hours to a couple of days. The longest step is usually obtaining an apostille abroad and sending the papers. If you sign at a Turkish consulate abroad, no apostille is needed.
What is an apostille and when is it needed?
An apostille certifies a public document between parties to the 1961 Hague Convention. Turkey, Russia, Kazakhstan, Ukraine, Belarus, Uzbekistan, the UK and EU states are parties, so consular legalisation is not needed.
| Situation | What to do |
|---|---|
| Foreign document for use in Turkey | apostille in the issuing country → sworn translation in Turkey → notary certification |
| Turkish administrative document for abroad | apostille at the governorship or district governorship |
| Turkish court decision for abroad | judicial commission where a high criminal court sits (HCCH) |
| Country not party to the Convention | consular and foreign ministry legalisation |
Order matters: apostille the original first, then translate the document together with the apostille. Make sure names match the Latin spelling in your passport — mismatches cause problems at the land registry and migration office.
Typical uses: family residence permits (residence permit 2026), inheritance (certificate of inheritance), recognition of a foreign divorce (divorce and recognition) and acting by proxy (power of attorney from abroad). For help with documents: lawyer for foreigners in Alanya · lawyer in Antalya.
Frequently asked questions
Can I have the translation done at home?
Possibly, but Turkish authorities usually expect a sworn translation certified by a Turkish notary.
Is a translator mandatory at the notary?
Yes, if you do not speak Turkish (Art. 74).
Where do I get an apostille on a Turkish document in Alanya?
At the district governorship or governorship for administrative documents; at the judicial commission for court documents.
Do I need a tax number?
For a notarial deed, yes — it is recorded in the deed (Art. 84). It is issued at a tax office on your passport.
This article is general information as of 1 November 2026 and is not individual legal advice. Document requirements depend on the authority — check before you apply.
Rufina Taştan Law Office — lawyer in Alanya: legal advice in English, Russian and Turkish.