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Family & Legal
Marrying a Turkish Citizen
— Guide for Foreigners (2026)
Getting married to a Turkish national involves specific legal requirements. Here's the complete process from document gathering to the civil ceremony and beyond.
Quick Answer
Foreigners can legally marry Turkish citizens through a civil ceremony at the local municipality (belediye). The process requires specific documents from both your home country and Turkey, translated and apostilled. It typically takes 2–8 weeks once documents are in order.
The Legal Ceremony Requirement
In Turkey, only a civil ceremony conducted at the local municipality (belediye) or official marriage office is legally binding. Religious ceremonies (including Islamic ceremonies) have no legal standing on their own and must be accompanied by a civil ceremony to be recognised.
Documents You Need
From your home country:
- Certificate of No Impediment to Marriage (or equivalent) — apostilled
- Birth certificate — apostilled and translated into Turkish
- Valid passport
- Proof of single status (in some countries this is the same document)
From Turkey:
- Your Turkish partner's national ID (nüfus cüzdanı)
- Marriage application form (obtained at the belediye)
- Passport photos of both parties
- Your valid residence permit or visa
The Process
- Gather your home country documents and get them apostilled (certified by your government for international use).
- Have all non-Turkish documents officially translated by a certified translator in Turkey.
- Apply at the local belediye (municipality) in the district where you plan to marry.
- Wait for approval (typically 1–2 weeks after documents are submitted).
- Attend the civil ceremony with two witnesses.
After the Wedding: Residency Rights
Once married to a Turkish citizen, you are eligible to apply for a Family Residence Permit, which grants you the right to live in Turkey. After 3 years of marriage and residence, you may become eligible to apply for Turkish citizenship.