The Problem
You want to get married in Turkey — either two foreigners or a foreigner marrying a Turkish citizen. The process involves substantial paperwork, including documents that must be obtained from your home country, apostilled, and translated into Turkish by a sworn translator. Processing times and requirements vary by nationality, and missing a single document can delay your wedding by weeks or months.
How the Law Works in Turkey
Marriage in Turkey is governed by TMK Articles 124–160 and the Civil Registration Services Law (Nüfus Hizmetleri Kanunu, Law No. 5490). Only civil marriages performed by authorized marriage officers (nikah memuru) are legally recognized — religious ceremonies alone have no legal effect. Requirements for foreigners: valid passport, Certificate of No Impediment to Marriage (evlenme ehliyet belgesi) from your home country or embassy, birth certificate, health report, 4 photos, and a sworn Turkish translation of all documents. Same-sex marriages are not recognized in Turkey.
What the Tourist Should Do
Obtain a Certificate of No Impediment from your embassy or home country authorities. Have all documents apostilled and sworn-translated into Turkish. Apply to the local Marriage Bureau (Evlendirme Memurluğu) with all documents. Complete the mandatory waiting period (minimum 3 business days after application). Attend the civil ceremony with two witnesses. Register the marriage with your home country embassy for international recognition.
The Risks
Some countries require consular approval before marriage in Turkey — failing to obtain this may affect recognition at home. Documents expire — the Certificate of No Impediment typically has a 6-month validity. Language barriers during the ceremony can require an official translator. Marriages conducted by unauthorized persons (imams, priests) are not legally valid in Turkey. Proxy marriages are not allowed under Turkish law.
LetFix Solution
LetFix assists foreign couples with marriage registration in Turkey. Our lawyers help gather documentation, navigate the bureaucratic process, ensure compliance with all requirements, and facilitate international recognition of the marriage.
