Legal Requirements for
Getting Married in Turkey

Make it your priority to fully understand the legal requirements for getting married in Turkey.

The following information is intended to be a starting point and guideline only.



Although much care and effort has been taken to ensure the information provided is correct please do not take it as legal advice. I strongly advise you to consult the Turkish Embassy for first hand information.



Legality of Marriage

The marriage of UK and Irish citizens conducted in Turkey is legally binding under UK and Irish law.

This is also the case for citizens from most other countries wishing to marry in Turkey.



Residency Requirements

There are no minimum residency requirements, providing that you obtain a Certificate of No Impediment from the relevant authority in your country of residence.

If you have not obtained this document then you will be required to be resident in Turkey for 21 days prior to applying for a Certificate of No Impediment, and a further 21 days for the relevant documentation to be issued. Therefore, you will need to allow a minimum of 42 days from the time you apply for the necessary documentation to the day of your wedding ceremony.



Required Documentation

All documentation must be original or certified copies, and your Certificate of No Impediment must not be older than 6 months.

• Certificate of No Impediment, not issued more than three months prior to the wedding day.
• Full ten year passport with minimum validity of six months.
• Full Birth Certificate.
• Passport
• 8 passport sized recent colour photographs.

• If you are divorced – a Decree Absolute
• If you have changed your name – Deed Poll
• If you are adopted – Adoption Certificate.
• If you are under 18 – letter of consent from a parent or guardian.

You will need to obtain a Certificate of No Impediment, which is the document required by the Turkish Authorities for the marriage to take place. This can be obtained as follows:

UK Citizens – Certificate of No Impediment

• To obtain a Certificate of No Impediment this is done by Giving Notice (publishing the Banns) at your local registry office no more than six months before your wedding date. 23 days after you have given notice the registry office will release a Certificate of No Impediment.

  Irish Citizens – Certificate of Freedom to marry

• Complete a statutory declaration called a “Certificate de coutume”.
  Complete an MP2A form and have it signed by authorised signatory.

Scottish Certificates of No Impediment are only valid for three months after the date of issue.

For further information about how to apply for the above certificates click here.



Marriage Procedure

• Foreign nationals wishing to marry in Turkey need to visit their nearest Consulate in person once they are in Turkey to make an application to initiate the formalities.

• The Certificate of No Impediment and certificate of identity and nationality need to be obtained from the relevant consulate and authenticated by the local Governor office in Turkey.

• The marriage application needs to be made in person at the local marriage office in order to give notice of marriage, submit the certificates, complete necessary forms and fix a date for the marriage ceremony.

• Solemnization of marriage (if the marrying parties do not speak Turkish, they are advised to arrange for an interpreter to be present during the ceremony).

• 2 Witnesses must be present at marriage ceremony (Please note that immediate family members cannot be witnesses).

• Notice needs to be given to your relevant consulate to have your marriage registered in your country of residence.

You will be required under Turkish Law to have a medical examination and you may also be required to take a blood test.



Conditions for a Valid Marriage

• Capacity to marry
  Only those persons who have sufficient mental capacity to make fair judgments are allowed to marry. Mental illness is, therefore, a bar to marriage. In addition, a person must have reached the minimum age of 18 to marry.
  
  
• Absence of consanguinity
  Marriage between close relatives is prohibited.
  
  
• Already existing marriage
  Monogamy is one of the essential principles of Turkish family law. A second marriage can not be entered into unless the first is terminated.
  
  
• Waiting period
  Married women whose marriage has been dissolved cannot marry before the expiration of three hundred days from the date of dissolution.
  
  
• Sickness
  Certain sicknesses, such as epilepsy, hysteria etc., constitute a bar to marriage.

For further information on the legal requirements for getting married in Turkey please contact the Turkish Embassy or Consulate in your country of residence.


United Kingdom
Consulate General for the Republic of Turkey
Rutland Lodge
Rutland Gardens
Knightsbridge
London SW7 1BW
Tel: 020 7591 6900
Fax: 0207 591 6911
E-mail: turkishconsulate@btconnect.com

Ireland
Embassy of the Republic of Turkey
11 Clyde Road
Ballsbridge
Dublin 4
Tel: 01 668 5240 /01 660 1623
Fax: 01 668 5014
E.Mail: turkembassy@eircom.net

Australia
Embassy of the Republic of Turkey
6 Moonah Place
Yarralumla, ACT 2600
Canberra
Tel: (02) 6234 0000
Fax: (02) 6273 4402
E-mail: turkembs@bigpond.net.au

United States of America
Embassy of the Republic of Turkey
2525 Massachusetts Ave
NW, Washington, DC 20008
Tel: (202) 612-6700
Fax: (202) 612-6744
E-mail: contact@turkishembassy.org

Canada
Embassy of the Republic of Turkey
197 Wurtemburg Street
Ottawa ON, K1N 8L9
Tel: (613) 789-4044
Fax:(613) 789-3442
E-mail : turkishottawa@mfa.gov.tr




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