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The key document: the certificate of capacity to marry
The main document requested from Turkish citizens marrying abroad is a certificate of capacity to marry, showing that there is no impediment to the person's marriage. It is obtained from the civil registry office; a multilingual international version can also be issued for many countries.
If the destination country requires a standard copy, an apostille is obtained on the document and a notarised translation into the target language is prepared.
Other frequently requested documents
- Birth certificate — multilingual Form A or an apostilled standard copy
- Population registry extract — to show civil status
- Divorce judgment or the former spouse's death certificate if a previous marriage has ended
- Passport and identity document translations
- In some countries, a declaration of residence or single status
The list varies by country and even municipality; the written list from the authority conducting the marriage should be followed.
After marriage: registration in Türkiye
A marriage performed abroad must be registered to become valid in Türkiye. The quickest route is to notify the Turkish diplomatic mission in the country where you are located.
If the marriage was not registered at the consulate, you apply to a civil registry office in Türkiye with the apostilled original foreign marriage certificate and its notarised Turkish translation. Surname preferences and record corrections are handled at this stage.
Timing considerations
- The certificate of capacity to marry has a limited validity period (commonly six months); obtain it close to the marriage date
- Complete the apostille and translation steps while the document is recent
- Schedule the appointment with the authority in the destination country according to when the documents will be ready
Frequently asked questions
Is the multilingual certificate of capacity to marry valid in every country?
The multilingual version (CIEC form) is accepted without translation in countries party to the convention; other countries require an apostilled standard copy and translation. Confirm the destination country's position with the marriage authority.
What is required for my foreign spouse's documents?
Documents obtained by the foreign spouse from their own country are apostilled there and, if the marriage will take place in Türkiye, translated into Turkish with notarisation.
This content is for information purposes. The documents and procedures required by institutions may change; we recommend confirming the requirements with the relevant institution before applying.
