HASBAL & GÜMÜŞTEN · Law Firm & Legal Consultancy, Istanbul

Marriages are conducted at municipal marriage offices. The foreign spouse is usually asked for a passport, a birth certificate and a certificate of no impediment to marriage issued by their own country; foreign documents must bear an apostille and be accompanied by a sworn Turkish translation. We prepare the document list for your country and can also draft a prenuptial property agreement.

Whether Turkish courts have jurisdiction and which country’s law applies depend on the spouses’ nationality and place of residence; we clarify this at the first consultation. An uncontested divorce is usually much quicker, and we will tell you in advance whether you need to attend the hearing or can be represented under a power of attorney.

Yes. You can execute a power of attorney at the Turkish consulate in your country or before a local notary. A power of attorney executed before a local notary must bear an apostille and be accompanied by a sworn Turkish translation. We will send you the required wording in advance.

In most matters we can act on your behalf under a power of attorney. Some steps (for example certain hearings or signing in person at the land registry) may require your attendance; we will tell you clearly at the first consultation.

Citizens of most countries can acquire property in Turkey, subject to restrictions such as the reciprocity principle and military or security zones. Before any purchase we check the land registry record, the zoning status and any debts or encumbrances on the property.

For a foreign court judgment to take effect in Turkey, a recognition or enforcement decision must be obtained from a Turkish court. We plan the required documents and the procedure for you.

Fees are set out in a written agreement before work begins. You can pay by bank transfer from abroad or through the online payment option on our website.