Things to Consider in Turkish Citizenship Application

Things to consider when applying for Turkish citizenship, is not limited to just gathering the necessary documents. The right way to apply must be chosen, the documents must be compatible with each other and the legal requirements must be met on the application date. About the relevant aspect of the process The Importance of Lawyer Support in Turkish Citizenship Application There is detailed information on the page.

A file that looks complete; It may have problems due to the wrong type of citizenship, incorrect residence account, name difference in foreign documents, or undisclosed family records. For this reason, a final legal and document check should be made before the application. In connection with this topic Citizenship Law You can also review the content titled.

10 Critical Checks Before Application

1. Has the right path of citizenship been chosen?

In general, the conditions for citizenship, marriage, investment, reacquisition and paternity applications are different from each other. A separate form and document layout is used for each application type. Also Conditions for Applying for Turkish Citizenship by Marriage should be evaluated together with the concrete case.

A person born to a Turkish mother or father may need to have a citizenship determination instead of applying for citizenship later. For a person who has previously lost Turkish citizenship, the way to regain it should be explored before the general application. What Should Foreigners Whose Turkish Citizenship Application Has Been Rejected Do? its content explains other legal points related to this stage.

Marriage to a Turkish citizen or owning real estate in Turkey does not confer citizenship on its own. All the conditions of the relevant application remedy must be met together.

2. Are the legal conditions complete on the application date?

It is important when the application is submitted. The citizenship application date is the date when the form petition is recorded by the competent authority.

For example, the three-year marriage period in the way of marriage, the required residence period in the general way or the eligibility requirement in the investment road must be completed before the application date.

Making an early application, thinking that a condition that has not yet been met will be completed during the application process, may cause the file to be not accepted or evaluated negatively.

3. Was the residence period calculated correctly?

In the general way, in the application for Turkish citizenship, an uninterrupted five-year residence is sought backwards from the date of application. However, it is not enough to just look at the start and end dates of residence cards.

Entry and exit from Turkey, gaps between residence permits and the purpose for which the person stays in Turkey should be examined. If the total time spent outside Turkey within the sought residence period exceeds the limit in the legislation, it may affect the calculation.

The effect of residence permits obtained for purposes such as touristic travel, temporary accommodation, education or treatment on the general citizenship assessment should be examined separately according to the file.

4. Are passports and foreign documents valid?

Passport expired, missing identification pages, or illegible seals can cause problems in document review. It is safer to use a valid passport during the application and examination.

Birth, marriage, divorce, death and family records obtained from a foreign country must be duly certified in order to be used in Turkey. Depending on the country where the document is issued, apostille or consular certification may be applied.

Sworn translation of non-Turkish documents and necessary notarizations must be completed. Photocopies or internet printouts whose accuracy cannot be verified may not replace official documents.

5. Do the identity information in the documents match each other?

Name, surname, date of birth and parents information on passport, birth certificate, marriage registration and residence card need to be compared.

Especially in countries where different alphabets are used, the name of the same person may be written differently in documents. In case of a surname change due to marriage, two different dates of birth or missing middle names, an explanatory document may be required.

Identity differences must be explained before the application by name recognition, civil registry, marriage certificate or verification letter from the competent country authority.

6. Are marital status and family records complete?

Whether the applicant is single, married, divorced or widowed must be shown with correct official documents. Events such as previous marriage, divorce or the death of a spouse should not be hidden.

In cases where spouses and children are included in the citizenship application, paternity, custody and the consent of the other parent are important. The fact that children are only written in the passport may not adequately prove the family bond in all cases.

The finalization of foreign divorce or custody decisions and their availability in Turkey should be checked separately.

7. Is the address and contact information up to date?

The address notified during the application must be compatible with actual life and official address records. Especially in general and marital citizenship applications, address records may be important in the evaluation of the file.

If there is a change in phone, e-mail, address, passport or marital status information after the application, the file may need to be updated. Missing the additional document request sent by the institution may prolong the process.

8. Have the records that could harm the application been examined beforehand?

Situations such as criminal record, ongoing criminal proceedings, restriction record, deportation decision, allegation of false documents or violation of residence can affect the citizenship file.

If these records are found, instead of hiding information, the current status of the record, whether it has been finalized and its legal consequences should be examined. Developments such as acquittal, non-prosecution, execution of the sentence or deletion of the record should be explained with official documents.

9. Have the conditions specific to the application type been checked separately?

Completing common documents is not enough. Each path to citizenship comes with its own set of risks:

• In the general application: Residence period, Turkish proficiency, income and intention to settle in Turkey should be checked.
• In the marriage application: The three-year period, family unity and the actual continuation of the marriage should be evaluated.
• In the investment application: Before investing, eligibility, payment and protection conditions of the investment should be investigated.
• In regaining: The reason for the loss of previous citizenship must be determined.
• In paternity: Legal paternity with the Turkish mother or father must be established with the correct documents.

10. Are all statements true and complete?

Previous marriages, children, citizenships, name changes, criminal records, and investment information must be truthfully reported in the citizenship application.

Submitting false documents or concealing an important issue that is the basis for acquiring citizenship does not only lead to the rejection of the application. Even if citizenship has been acquired before, it is possible for the decision to be annulled later.

For this reason, the purpose of the file should not be to hide negative information, but to explain the real situation of the applicant in a legally accurate and documented manner.

Who Can Apply?

Citizenship applications can be made to the governorship where the residence is located in Turkey, in practice to the Provincial Directorate of Population and Citizenship; and to Turkish foreign representations abroad.

Some applications where fingerprinting is not mandatory can be made with a special power of attorney regarding the exercise of the right to citizenship. In cases where fingerprinting or a personal interview is required, the applicant must attend in person.

Citizenship applications sent by mail are not accepted. Some missing documents requested after the application can be completed by the applicant or his authorized representative.

Does Submitting Documents Guarantee Citizenship?

Meeting the conditions specified in the law and preparing the file completely does not provide an absolute right to the person that citizenship will definitely be granted.

Applications are examined in terms of national security, public order, accuracy of documents and conditions specific to the chosen citizenship path. Although the competent authority has discretion, the decision must be in accordance with the law.

What Should Be Considered After Applying?

• Copies of the application number and submitted documents should be kept.
• Passport and residence permit durations should be followed separately.
• Changes in address, such as marriage, divorce, or the birth of a child, must be reported to the file.
• Additional document requests must be met in a timely manner.
• Residence obligations should not be neglected just because the citizenship application is ongoing.

The fact that the citizenship application has been made does not automatically extend the foreigner's existing residence permit and does not provide the right to stay in Turkey unlimitedly.

Frequently Asked Questions

Can citizenship application be made with missing documents?

Missing essential documents or application requirements may result in the application not being accepted. Additional documents specific to the file may also be requested later.

Is having a residence card sufficient for citizenship?

According to the type of application, the duration of residence, the type of permit and the purpose of stay in Turkey are evaluated separately.

Are minor name differences in documents significant?

Yes. It may be necessary to explain with official documents that different records belong to the same person.

Can citizenship application be made with a power of attorney?

Some applications where fingerprinting is not mandatory can be made with a special power of attorney. Transactions that require personal participation cannot be completed by proxy.

Can a criminal record be hidden in the application?

Withholding important information can lead to a refusal or subsequent revocation of citizenship.

Can everyone who meets the conditions become a Turkish citizen?

Meeting the conditions allows the application, but does not guarantee the acceptance of citizenship.

Legal information: This content has been prepared for general information purposes. Application conditions and document order; It may vary depending on the way citizenship is acquired, the applicant's country, residence history and family status.