Required Documents and Legal Process for Turkish Citizenship

Documents required for Turkish citizenship and legal processdepends on the way the application will be made. The same forms and documents are not used in general citizenship, marriage, investment, reacquisition or paternity applications. In connection with this topic Citizenship Law You can also review the content titled.

A healthy citizenship file consists of three parts: the applicant's identity and family records, specific documents proving the terms of the chosen citizenship path, and the certification procedures that ensure the foreign documents are valid in Turkey.

Basic Documents of the Citizenship File

Although the final document list is determined by the person and the type of application, the following documents are used in most citizenship files:

• Citizenship form suitable for the application type,
• Valid passport or similar document showing citizenship,
• Notarized Turkish translation of the passport,
• Birth certificate or official record showing all identity information,
• Marital status certificate,
• For married people, records showing family ties with spouse and children,
• If there is a divorce or death of the spouse, an official document regarding this,
• Biometric photo,
• Residence permit and address information for those living in Turkey,
• Receipt showing that the citizenship service fee has been paid,
• Other supporting documents required according to the type of application.

The applicant's name, surname, date of birth, place of birth and parents must be compatible with each other in all documents. If there is a different alphabet or surname use, an additional document proving that the name equivalence or being the same person may be required.

Which Form is Used for Which Application?

Additional Documents in General Citizenship

In the general application, it must be proven that the requirement of uninterrupted five-year residence in Turkey is met backwards from the date of application. Residence permits and entry-exit records to Turkey are therefore important.

Work permits, payrolls, tax records, company certificates, or similar income records showing that the applicant can provide for themselves and their dependents may be required.

Intention to settle in Turkey; It can be supported by facts such as real estate acquisition, work, starting a business, family ties or completing education in Turkey. The applicant's Turkish proficiency may also be assessed by the citizenship commission.

Documents Required for Application by Marriage

For the application through marriage with a Turkish citizen, the VAT-6 form, the passport and identity documents of the foreign spouse and the civil registry of the Turkish citizen spouse are prepared. It must be understood from official records that the marriage has been going on for at least three years and continues on the date of application. Also Conditions for Applying for Turkish Citizenship by Marriage should be evaluated together with the concrete case.

The file does not only consist of the marriage certificate. The authorities may investigate whether the spouses live in family unity and call both spouses for an interview.

If the applicant lives in Turkey, the current residence permit is also added to the file. If there is a situation related to divorce, previous marriage, or child custody, it may be necessary to submit final judgments regarding this.

Citizenship by Investment File

Before applying for investment, the selected investment type must be completed in accordance with the requirements in the legislation. The citizenship file cannot be passed without issuing a certificate of conformity by the institution examining the investment.

After the certificate of conformity, the investor obtains a short-term residence permit within the scope of Article 31/1-j of Law No. 6458. Then, the citizenship application is made with the VAT-4 form and family documents. Rights and Obligations of Foreigners Obtaining Turkish Citizenship its content explains other legal points related to this stage.

In real estate investment, title deed registration, three-year non-sale annotation, bank receipts, Foreign Exchange Purchase Certificate and documents related to the determination of the amount based on citizenship are important. For bank deposits, funds or other investments, the investment determination letters of the relevant institution are used. About the relevant aspect of the process The Process of Obtaining Turkish Citizenship by Purchasing Real Estate There is detailed information on the page.

How Should Foreign Documents Be Prepared?

Birth, marriage, divorce, death, and family records issued by foreign government authorities must be duly certified in order to be used in Turkey.

Depending on the country where the document is issued, one of the following methods can be applied:

• Apostille annotation,
• Approval of the Turkish foreign representation,
• Approval of the representative office of the country where the document is issued in Turkey and the relevant Turkish authorities,
• Special document order stipulated in international or bilateral contracts.

Approved documents must be translated into Turkish by a sworn translator and the necessary notarizations must be completed. It is important that the marriage certificate clearly displays the date of marriage in day, month, and year.

Where to Apply?

Citizenship applications to be made in Turkey are made to the governorship where the applicant resides, and in practice to the Provincial Directorate of Population and Citizenship. Individuals living abroad can apply at Turkish embassies or consulates general.

An appointment may be required for the application. Citizenship applications sent by mail are not accepted.

Some applications for which fingerprinting is not mandatory can be made with a special power of attorney for the exercise of the right to citizenship. The applicant must be present in person in transactions that require fingerprints, interviews or in-person participation.

What Stages Does the Legal Process Go Through?

1. Preliminary examination: The application form, identity documents and the basic requirements of the application type are checked.
2. Creating the file: Documents are saved in the system and an application number is generated.
3. Commission or interview: In general and marriage applications, Turkish, intention to settle or family unity can be examined.
4. Archive and security research: The applicant is evaluated in terms of national security and public order.
5. Decision stage: Depending on the type of application, the decision is made by the Ministry or the President.
6. Notification and population procedures: The positive decision is notified to the relevant person by the application authority and the identity card application is started.

There is no definite period that can be applied to all types of applications for the conclusion of the file. Waiting for documents from the foreign country, security research, registration discrepancies, or requests for additional documents can affect the processing time.

How to Track the Application?

After the application is accepted, the person is given an application number. With this number and date of birth, the applicant can follow the general stage of the file on the citizenship application status inquiry screen of the General Directorate of Population and Citizenship Affairs.

Seeing the same stage on the inquiry screen for a long time does not mean rejection alone. If additional documents are requested by the Authority, the notification must be met within the deadline.

Major Errors Causing Problems in the File

• Using the VAT form that is not suitable for the application type,
• Different identity information in the passport and birth certificate,
• Missing apostille or consular certification,
• Concealment of marital status or previous marriage information,
• Applying before completing the residence, investment or marriage requirement,
• Incomplete preparation of paternity and custody documents of children,
• Leaving the institution's request for additional documents unanswered.

Frequently Asked Questions

Are the same documents required for all citizenship applications?

Identity and family documents can be shared; However, additional documents vary based on residency, marriage, investment, or reacquisition path.

Is apostille mandatory for foreign documents?

Depending on the country where the document is issued and international conventions, apostille, consular certification or another method of approval may be applied.

Can citizenship application be made completely online?

Although the application procedures are carried out electronically, the file must be submitted to the competent application authority and personal participation is required when necessary.

Can the application be made with a power of attorney?

Some transactions that are not required to fingerprint can be carried out with a special power of attorney. The applicant must be present at the stages where personal participation is required.

How to find out at what stage the application is?

Using the application number and date of birth, the general stage can be seen through NVI's citizenship application status inquiry system.

Will the application be rejected directly if the missing document is submitted?

Additional documents may be requested depending on the status of the file. However, the absence of the basic application requirement or failure to correct the deficiency may lead to rejection.

Legal information: This content has been prepared for general information purposes. Final document list; The citizenship path should be determined according to the applicant's country, marital status, family structure and the current practice of the relevant institution.