What is a yeminli tercüman (sworn translator) in Turkey?

A yeminli tercüman is a sworn (certified) translator officially registered with a Turkish court or notary system. They are authorised to produce certified translations of foreign-language documents that are legally valid for use with Turkish government offices, notaries, courts, and public institutions. Unlike a regular translator, a sworn translator's work carries official legal status — their signature and stamp make the translation binding. In Turkey, documents submitted to official institutions (residence permit applications, school enrolment, property purchase, company formation, courts) must be translated by a sworn translator.

Which documents need certified translation in Turkey?

Documents that typically require certified (sworn) translation for use in Turkish institutions: birth certificate (doğum belgesi), marriage certificate (evlilik cüzdanı), divorce decree, death certificate, academic diplomas and transcripts, driving licence (for Turkish licence conversion), criminal background check, medical records and specialist reports, power of attorney documents, property documents, insurance certificates, employment contracts, and foreign company registration documents. Passport copies typically do not need a sworn translation — the notary certifying the copy handles this with their own stamp.

How much does a certified translation cost in Turkey?

Certified translation costs in Turkey: Standard sworn translation: ₺300–700 per page (A4 equivalent). Technical or legal documents (higher complexity): ₺500–1,200 per page. Notary certification of the translation (sometimes required additionally): ₺200–500 extra. Rush service (same-day or next-day): typically 50–100% surcharge. Most official documents (birth certificate, diploma) are 1–3 pages. A typical residence permit document set requiring 3 documents (birth certificate, marriage certificate, one other) at 1–2 pages each might cost ₺2,000–5,000 total. Get multiple certified copies — they cost slightly less per copy than the first original translation.

How do I find a legitimate sworn translator in Turkey?

To find a verified sworn translator: (1) Ask at your local notary (noter) — they maintain registers of affiliated sworn translators and can often arrange one on short notice. (2) Contact your city's courthouse (adliye) which maintains an official register of court-sworn translators. (3) Use word-of-mouth from the expat community — the Facebook groups for expats in your city have reliable recommendations. (4) Translation agencies in major cities often have multiple sworn translators on staff for all common languages. (5) Be cautious of online services offering "certified translations" from abroad — these are not always accepted by Turkish institutions. The translator should have an official registration number and their own stamp.

How long does a certified translation take in Turkey?

Standard certified translations in Turkey typically take: Simple documents (1–3 pages, standard format): 1–3 business days. Longer or complex documents: 3–7 business days. Rush/urgent service: same-day or next-day available at most professional translators for a surcharge. If you are applying for a residence permit or have a time-sensitive appointment, order translations at least one week in advance. For property transactions with a set completion date, order 2–3 weeks in advance — especially for complex legal documents.

Does the original document need an apostille before it can be certified-translated in Turkey?

This depends on the purpose. For many routine processes (school enrolment, residence permit application), a certified translation alone is sufficient — no apostille is required. However, for certain legal or official purposes (property purchase, court proceedings, formal qualification recognition through MEB), the original document may need an apostille from the country of origin in addition to the certified translation in Turkey. The apostille certifies the official capacity of the person who signed the document in the original country. Rule of thumb: if the Turkish institution has asked for the document, ask them specifically whether they require only a certified translation or a certified translation of an apostilled document.

Can I use a translation done in my home country in Turkey?

Generally, no — Turkish government institutions do not accept translations done by translators registered in other countries. The translation must be produced by a translator registered as a sworn translator in Turkey's judicial or notary system. A certified translation produced by a UK solicitor, Dutch sworn translator, or German vereidigter Dolmetscher is not accepted by Turkish Tapu offices, Göç İdaresi, or courts. You must obtain a new Turkish certified translation. The only exception is if your home country translation has been formally apostilled and the Turkish institution specifically accepts foreign apostilled translations — rare in practice.

What languages are well-supported for sworn translation in Turkey?

All major world languages have sworn translators available in Istanbul, Ankara, Antalya, and Izmir. The most widely available languages for sworn translation: English (most abundant), German, French, Arabic, Russian, Dutch, Italian, Spanish. Less common languages (Norwegian, Swedish, Danish, Finnish, Polish, etc.) are available in major cities but harder to find outside Istanbul/Ankara. For rare languages, translation agencies in Istanbul typically have the widest coverage. In smaller cities like Bodrum, Fethiye, or Alanya, only English and German may be readily available locally — other languages may require ordering from Istanbul and having translations couriered.

Do I need a separate certified translation for each government institution?

A single certified translation is generally accepted across institutions — you do not need a separate translation for each place. However, you should order multiple certified copies of each translation when you first have it done. Most translators will produce 3–5 certified copies for a small additional fee per copy. This is important because some institutions keep the certified copy on file and do not return it, and getting additional copies later requires paying again. For residence permit applications, property purchases, and school enrolments, keeping 3 certified copies of key documents (birth certificate, marriage certificate) is strongly recommended.

Plan your move

Moving to Turkey

Complete relocation guide

Moving Checklist

Before & after arrival

Relocation Timeline

Week-by-week what to expect

Cost of Living

Budgets across major cities

Healthcare in Turkey

Insurance, SGK, hospitals

From the UK

From Germany

From the Netherlands

From Belgium

From France

From Sweden

From Norway

From Switzerland

From Austria

From the USA

From Canada

From Australia

From the UAE

Residence Permit Guide

Step-by-step ikamet application

Ikamet Application

Complete walkthrough

Permit Renewal

Timeline, fees, what changes

Documents Needed

Full checklist

Turkish Citizenship

$400k investment pathway

Istanbul

Cosmopolitan hub for professionals

Antalya

Certified Translations in Turkey for Foreigners (2026):
Sworn Translator Guide and Costs

Almost every official process in Turkey as a foreigner — residence permits, school enrolment, property purchase, company formation — requires certified (sworn) translation of your foreign documents. This guide covers exactly which documents need translating, how much it costs, how to find a trusted sworn translator, and the common mistakes to avoid.

Quick Answer

Turkish official institutions require certified translations by a yeminli tercüman (sworn translator registered with a Turkish court or notary). Foreign translations are not accepted. Cost: ₺300–700/page for standard documents. Turnaround: 1–3 days. Find sworn translators via your notary, the local courthouse register, or expat community recommendations. Always order 3–5 certified copies at once — they cost less per copy than ordering later.

Last updated January 2026

When You Need a Certified Translation in Turkey

Situation	Documents to Translate	Apostille Also Required?
Residence permit (ikamet) application	Birth certificate, marriage certificate (if applicable)	Sometimes — ask your specific Göç İdaresi office
School enrolment (private or state)	Birth certificate, previous school records	Rarely required for enrolment; yes for formal equivalence
Property purchase	Passport (at Land Registry), power of attorney	Rarely for passport; yes for some property documents
Company formation (limited company)	Passport, identity documents, foreign company docs	May be required for foreign company documents
Driving licence conversion	Foreign driving licence, medical certificate	Depends on country of origin
Court proceedings / legal matters	All relevant foreign evidence documents	Usually required for formal evidence
Turkish university admission (foreign quals)	Academic transcripts, diplomas	Required for MEB equivalence (denklik)
Marriage registration in Turkey	Birth certificate, proof of single status	Yes — required for civil marriage

Certified Translation Cost Guide

Birth certificate (1 page)

Most common; standard format

₺300–600

Marriage / divorce certificate

Typically 1–2 pages

₺400–700

University diploma (1 page)

May need notarisation too

₺400–800

Academic transcript (multi-page)

Price per page; negotiate bulk

₺300–600 per page

Criminal background check

1–2 pages typically

₺400–700

Medical records / specialist report

Complex medical terminology = higher rate

₺500–1,200 per page

Power of attorney / legal contract

Legal documents = premium rate

₺600–1,500 per page

Rush / same-day service

Available at most professional offices

+50–100% surcharge

How to Find a Sworn Translator in Turkey

Via your notary (noter)

Ask the notary office directly — they maintain lists of affiliated sworn translators and can often arrange one with 1–2 days' notice. Most reliable route for notary-required translations.

Local courthouse (adliye)

The adliye (courthouse) in your city keeps a public register of court-sworn translators. You can visit or call and request the list for your language.

Expat community recommendations

Facebook groups ("Expats in Antalya", "British Expats Turkey", etc.) have crowdsourced lists of trusted translators with real reviews from people who have used them.

Translation agencies in major cities

Istanbul, Ankara, Antalya, and Izmir have professional translation agencies with multiple sworn translators on staff for all common languages.

Order Multiple Certified Copies at Once

When having a document certified-translated, always request 3–5 certified copies. The cost per additional copy is typically only ₺100–200 extra. Turkish institutions often retain the certified copy you submit and do not return it. Coming back for more copies later means paying the full translation fee again.

Frequently Asked Questions

Related Guides

Notary Services in Turkey for Foreigners

How notaries work and what they cost

Turkey Relocation Document Checklist

Full list of documents to prepare before moving

Residence Permit in Turkey

Documents and certified translations required

Enrolling Children in School in Turkey

Certified translations required for school enrolment

Buying Property in Turkey

Translation requirements for property purchase

Power of Attorney in Turkey

Vekaletname — translation and notarisation

Certified Translations in Turkey for Foreigners (2026):Sworn Translator Guide and Costs