Listen to this page
Press play to listen.
The recording could not be played. Please try again later.
Where does the problem arise?
The Turkish letters ç, ğ, ı, İ, ö, ş, and ü do not have direct equivalents in other uses of the Latin alphabet. A name containing these letters can be written in several ways in translation.
For example, the name "Işıl" can be written as Isil, İsil, or Işıl. To an institution abroad, these three spellings identify three different people.
Why is the passport used as the reference?
A passport is a person's international identity document and contains the official Latin-letter spelling of their first name and surname. Institutions abroad use this spelling to match identities.
Names in the translation are therefore written exactly as they appear in your passport. A different spelling can cause the document to be rejected on the grounds that it does not belong to you.
For which documents is this important?
- Diploma and transcript — for equivalency and university applications
- Population registry extract and birth certificate — for citizenship and marriage procedures
- Criminal record certificate — for visa and residence permit applications
- Power of attorney — for representation abroad
- Marriage and divorce documents — for civil status procedures
What do you need to do?
Simply include a photograph of your passport's identity page when sending your document. If you do not have a passport, telling us the spelling used in a document you previously submitted abroad is important for consistency.
All documents in the same application file must use the same spelling. This consistency is often lost when translations are prepared at different places on different dates.
A change of surname after marriage
If your surname has changed, it becomes important to establish which documents contain the former and current surnames. Your diploma may show your former surname, while your passport shows your current surname.
In this situation, institutions generally request a population registry extract showing the change of surname. This document must also be translated.
Frequently asked questions
The spelling in my passport appears incorrect — can you correct it?
The translation must follow the spelling in the passport; a different spelling cannot be used. To correct the passport record, you must apply to the Directorate General of Civil Registration and Citizenship Affairs.
I previously had a document translated with a different spelling — will this be a problem?
Different spellings in the same file can raise questions for the institution. If you share the previous translation with us, we can assess consistency together.
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.
