Sworn, certified or notarised translation: what Türkiye means

In Türkiye the words that matter are sworn and notarised. A sworn translation is made by a sworn translator (yeminli tercüman), who has taken an oath at a Turkish notary's office. A notarised translation (noter onaylı tercüme) goes one step further. A notary adds an endorsement that identifies the sworn translator, then dates, signs and seals it. Certified translation is a term from other countries' systems. In Türkiye, ask the receiving institution which Turkish form its list names, and order that form.

Sworn translation in Türkiye: the translator's oath at a notary

A translator becomes sworn by taking an oath before a Turkish notary. The notary writes the oath into a report that both sign. The report stays on file at that notary's office.

Two rules follow from this. First, a notary may not have a translation done by anyone whose oath report is not on that office's file. Second, before using a translator, the notary must be satisfied that the translator knows the language correctly. Diplomas, other documents or other means can show this.

Our guide on who counts as a sworn translator explains the oath in more detail. What the translator writes at the end of the text is covered in our guide to the translator's closing statement.

Is a sworn translation enough on its own, without a notary? There is no general answer. Each institution decides in its own document list.

Notarised translation in Türkiye: the notary's endorsement

Turkish law lists translating documents among the duties of notaries. A notarised translation is the notary's own act, called the translation act. The notary adds an endorsement under the translated text. When a sworn translator did the work, the endorsement must state the translator's identity and address. The notary then dates, signs and seals it.

A notarised translation counts as valid until someone proves otherwise. That is one reason why Turkish institutions so often ask for it. The residence permit lists of Göç İdaresi (the Presidency of Migration Management) are one example. The civil registry rules for foreign birth and marriage documents are another.

If no notary in your town can translate your language, the translation can be done at a notary elsewhere. Your local notary arranges this.

Certified, approved and other translation terms in Turkish rules

Turkish texts use several terms for a translation with some form of approval. They are not interchangeable, so read the exact words in your institution's list.

• Onaylı Türkçe tercüme appears in the lists of YÖK (the Council of Higher Education) and MEB (the Ministry of National Education). It means a Turkish translation approved by a Turkish notary or a Turkish consulate.
• Onanmış tercüme appears in Article 53 of the Act on International Private and Procedural Law (MÖHUK). In English, call it an authenticated translation. The Act does not say who must authenticate it.
• Resmî tercüme appears in Article 223 of the Code of Civil Procedure. A civil court may ask for it, on its own or at the other side's request. The Code does not define the term, so ask the court which form it accepts.

A foreign driving licence exchange is a similar case. The list of NVİ (the General Directorate of Population and Citizenship Affairs) asks for a Turkish translation approved by a notary or a consulate.

If a translation was certified in another country, the Turkish institution decides whether it accepts it. Ask before you rely on it.

Sworn interpreter or sworn translator in Türkiye

A sworn translator works on written documents. A sworn interpreter (andlı tercüman) works orally. The roles have different rules.

• At a notary: if you do not know Turkish, a sworn interpreter must be present when you make a notarial act. The notary swears in the interpreter, who also signs the record.
• At the land registry (tapu müdürlüğü): the interpreter must hand in the report of an oath taken before a court. Staff of the office handling the transaction may not interpret.
• In criminal proceedings: interpreters come from lists that provincial justice commissions draw up each year.
• At a civil wedding: the regulation does not say the interpreter must be sworn. Some municipal marriage offices ask for a sworn interpreter, so check with yours.

Choosing a sworn or notarised translation for Türkiye or abroad

Start with the receiving institution's current list. Then follow the route that matches where the document will be used.

1. Used in Türkiye: order the form the list names, usually a notarised Turkish translation. A notarised translation made and used in Türkiye needs no apostille.
2. Used in an Apostille state: the notarised translation gets an apostille from a governor's office (valilik) or district governor's office (kaymakamlık). The office of any province or district can issue it.
3. The original of a Turkish court document used abroad: its apostille comes from the presidency of the justice commission (adalet komisyonu başkanlığı).
4. Used in a state outside the Apostille Convention: after the governor's office, the Ministry of Foreign Affairs adds its authentication.

An apostille confirms the notary's signature, capacity and seal. It does not confirm the content of the translation. Our page on sworn translation services explains how to order the translation itself.