Legal Marriage in Turkey

Are you a foreigner looking for a legal marriage in Turkey? First and foremost, make sure that your home country approved the marriage. Because the Turkish official, the one that will conduct your wedding ceremony, will ask you to provide a; “Certificate of No Impediment” and a Birth Certificate from the authorities in your home country.

Furthermore, the only legally recognized type of marriage ceremony in Turkey is a civil marriage. This is simply a non-religious, legal marriage ceremony presided over by a legal official. The religious wedding has no legal standing in Turkey.

Related Article: Getting Married in Turkey.

Only civil marriage is legal and recognized in Turkey. You are free to hold any religious ceremony in addition to the civil one, but religious services are not legally recognized in Turkey. Also, keep in mind that Turkish officials are unable to execute a marriage that would be illegal in your home nation. If your home country’s laws ban you from marrying, you will be unable to get the paperwork necessary under Turkish marriage legislation from Turkish officials, and so will be unable to marry in Turkey.

Marriage in Turkey: Same Nationality

When both bride and groom are of non-Turkish nationality, their marriage will be recognized if it is conducted by Turkish authorities or officials from their country’s embassy or consulate. However, not all embassies and consulates will perform weddings, so double-check. One must get a certificate from the authorities in his/her home country attesting to their eligibility for marriage before being married by Turkish officials. This can be a marriage certificate or a declaration from your country’s diplomatic officials in Turkey (typically a consul).

Marriage in Turkey: Different Nationalities

Their marriage must be performed by a Turkish official if they are both are of different countries and neither of them is a Turkish citizen. A marriage license or a declaration from an embassy or consular authority in Turkey must be obtained from the relevant authorities in the foreign national’s home country attesting to marriage eligibility.

Marriage in Turkey: Foreigner Marrying a Turkish Citizen

Their marriage must be performed by a Turkish official if one of them is Turkish and the other is not. A marriage license or a declaration from an embassy or consular authority in Turkey must be obtained from the relevant authorities in the foreigners’ home country attesting to one’s marital eligibility.

Legal Marriage in Turkey

You need to consider some conditions before you want to get married in Turkey.

Capacity to Marry in Turkey

The legal age of marriage in Turkey is 18. But a person from age 16 is allowed to marry with the consent of their parents or legal guardians. A person with a mental disorder cannot be married if they are unable to comprehend the level of responsibility they should assume.

Consanguinity in Turkey

Close relatives are prohibited from marriage. It includes; brothers, sisters, uncles, aunts, nephews, and adopted children. Also, an affinity is formed by marriage between lineal kindred couples, even if the marriage has ended.

Polygamy in Turkey

Turkey is a Muslim majority country that has abolished polygamy. Monogamy is a vital principle in Turkish family law. Even illegal polygamy can cause up to two years in imprisonment, it’s under strict regulations in this country.

Homosexuality in Turkey

Although Turkey is the freest Islamic majority country in the world, they are still conservative about the idea of same-sex marriage. Legal marriage in Turkey is only permitted between a man and a woman.

Legal Requirements You Must Know about Turkey

If you wish, you might not even bother with all of these formalities. Our legal firm in Turkey can help you with all of the processes, and ease your workload, so contact us.

All of your documents need to be translated legally into Turkish by the relevant authorities. The following is what the bride and groom must require applying for marriage.

Marriage Petition Requirements in Turkey:

• Certificate of Non-Impediment,
• Passport/Identification Card,
• Birth Certificate,
• Six colored passport photographs of both bride and groom,
• Health Certificate (taken from a state medical institution in Turkey),
• Certificate of Celibacy (states if a person is single, divorced, or widow).

This article was published on 02.12.2020 and last edited on 21.08.2021. Images used in this article have been taken from free image-sharing services on the internet. Also, in this article, which is called; “Legal Marriage in Turkey,” information freely shared on the internet was used. We make every effort to offer accurate and current information. However, please do let us know if you find any errors in this article.