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Marriage and divorce in Turkey for foreigners
Advice and representation for those who wish to marry or divorce in Turkey, or to have a divorce obtained abroad recognised in Turkey.
Request a consultationWhat we do
- Marriage in Turkey: document list, apostille and translation, application to the marriage office
- Prenuptial and postnuptial property agreements
- Uncontested and contested divorce; determining the competent court and the applicable law
- Maintenance, custody, contact with children and division of property
- Recognition, enforcement and civil registration in Turkey of divorce judgments obtained abroad
- International child abduction disputes (Hague Convention)
How the process works
01
Initial assessment
Based on your nationality, residence and marriage details we identify the competent court and the applicable law.
02
Documents and power of attorney
We plan the apostille and sworn translation of the required documents and send you the wording of the power of attorney.
03
Case or application
We file the case or the recognition and registration application; for an uncontested divorce we prepare the settlement protocol with you.
04
Judgment and registration
We follow the judgment until it becomes final and is entered in the civil registry.
Documents usually required
The exact list depends on your country and your matter and is prepared at the first consultation.
- ▸ Passport or ID
- ▸ Marriage certificate (apostilled, with Turkish translation)
- ▸ Birth certificates of any children
- ▸ Foreign divorce judgment with certificate of finality (for recognition)
- ▸ Power of attorney (at a consulate, or notarised and apostilled)
Frequently asked questions
Do I need to come to Turkey for an uncontested divorce?+
Under Turkish law, an uncontested divorce requires the marriage to have lasted at least one year and the judge to hear both spouses in person at the hearing. As a rule you must therefore attend the hearing; we handle all other steps under a power of attorney.
I divorced abroad — am I also divorced in Turkey?+
A foreign judgment does not take effect in Turkey automatically. Consensual divorce judgments can, under certain conditions, be registered administratively through the civil registry or a consulate; other judgments require a recognition action before a Turkish court.
Which matrimonial property regime applies if I marry a foreigner in Turkey?+
The applicable law depends on the spouses’ nationality and their choice. To avoid uncertainty we recommend a property agreement before or during the marriage.
This page is general information, not legal advice. Legislation and practice may change; your specific situation is assessed at the first consultation.
Let us review your matter together
We can start by correspondence or an online meeting from abroad, and meet in person at our Istanbul and Bodrum offices. We reply with translation support; a sworn interpreter attends consultations.
0216 766 56 52info@hgavukatlik.com
Request a consultation