Frequently asked questions
Answers for foreigners in Türkiye on sworn and notarised translation, the apostille, foreign civil-status documents, names and how to order.
In 30 seconds
- A sworn translator takes an oath before a notary; the notary's endorsement on a notarised translation identifies that translator.
- An apostille certifies the signature and seal, not the content; a foreign original needs its own apostille, but a notarised translation made and used in Türkiye needs none.
- Tuna Translation prepares the translation; the notary and the apostille authority are separate steps.
- Read the answer that matches your document
- Check the rules of the receiving institution
- Send a copy, the languages and the purpose
- Receive a quote and delivery date by email
Sworn and notarised translation: common questions
These answers cover the questions that foreigners ask us most about translated documents in Türkiye. If your question is not here, write to us. For the full picture, see our overview of sworn translation in Ankara.
What is a sworn translator?
A sworn translator is a person who has taken an oath before a Turkish notary. The notary records the oath in a report that both sign and keeps it on file at that office. A notary may not have a translation made by someone whose report is not on that file.
What is a notarised translation?
It is the notary's translation act. The notary adds an endorsement under the translated text, then dates, signs and seals it. When a sworn translator did the work, the endorsement states the translator's identity and address.
Does a notarised translation stand up as evidence?
It counts as valid until someone proves otherwise. That is the standard for notarial acts other than deeds and signature certifications.
Do you notarise or issue apostilles?
No. Tuna Translation is a private translation office, not a public authority. The notary adds the endorsement, and a Turkish authority issues the apostille.
Will every institution accept a sworn translation?
Each institution decides in its own list what it wants. Some ask for a Turkish translation approved by a Turkish notary or a Turkish consulate. Ask the institution before you order.
| Step | Who does it | Needed when |
|---|---|---|
| Translation | A sworn translator | Always |
| Endorsement under the text | The notary | When the receiving institution asks for a notarised translation |
| Apostille on a notarised translation | A governor's or district governor's office | When you use the translation abroad in an apostille country |
| Apostille on the original of a foreign civil-status document | The authority of the issuing state | When a Turkish civil registry receives it from an apostille state |
| Appointment for further authentication | The Ministry of Foreign Affairs' Authentication Unit | When the destination country does not accept the apostille |
Apostille questions for translated documents
What does an apostille certify?
It certifies the signature, the capacity of the signer and, where relevant, the seal or stamp. It does not certify the content of the document. Türkiye has been a party to the Apostille Convention since 29 September 1985.
Who issues an apostille in Türkiye?
Governor's offices (valilik) and district governor's offices (kaymakamlık) issue apostilles for administrative documents and notarial acts; the original of a court document is the exception (see below). For a notarised translation, or any other Turkish notarial act used abroad, the governor of any province or district certifies the notary's signature and seal.
Do I need an apostille for a translation I use in Türkiye?
No. The Convention covers a document made in one state and used in another. A notarised translation that you make and use inside Türkiye needs no apostille.
Where does the apostille on an original court document come from?
It comes from the presidency of the justice commission (adalet komisyonu başkanlığı). This applies to the original court document.
Does the Ministry of Foreign Affairs add anything to an apostilled document?
No. The Ministry of Foreign Affairs (Dışişleri Bakanlığı) does not authenticate a document that already carries an apostille. You present it directly.
What if the receiving country does not accept the apostille?
The chain is longer. The governor's or district governor's office comes first. Then the Ministry's Consular Authentication Unit (Konsolosluk Tasdik Birimi) in Ankara acts by appointment and asks for ID. The destination country's mission in Türkiye comes last.
Foreign documents and their translation in Türkiye
My civil-status document comes from an apostille country. What do I need?
You need the apostille on the original and a notarised Turkish translation.
What if there is no apostille?
The document needs approval by the authorities of the issuing country and by its consulate or embassy. A Turkish authority then adds its approval. A notarised Turkish translation goes with it.
Do multilingual extracts need legalisation?
CIEC multilingual civil-status extracts go into civil-registry processing without legalisation.
Are documents from an honorary consulate accepted?
No. Turkish civil registries do not act on documents issued by honorary consulates.
Can a Turkish notary certify a copy of my foreign document?
No. A Turkish notary cannot certify a foreign authority’s document as a true copy (Ministry of Foreign Affairs authentication FAQ), so keep the original.
Names in translated documents
A name in Latin script goes into Turkish civil records letter for letter, with its accents. A name in another script is transliterated letter by letter. If your documents differ, those issued by the state of your nationality prevail.
Ordering a translation: common questions
How do I start?
Send a copy of your document and tell us the languages and the purpose. We reply by email with a quote and a delivery date. Our page on placing an order lists every step.
Can you give a fixed price or time on this page?
No. We quote each order after we have seen the document. You receive the quote and the date in one email.
Where can I read about the office?
You can read about the office on the page about our company.
Get a quote
Send us a legible copy of your document and tell us the language, where it will be submitted and when you need it. We will reply by email with a quote and a delivery date.
