What is a vekaletname (power of attorney) in Turkey?

A vekaletname is the Turkish legal term for a notarised power of attorney. It is a document prepared at a Turkish notary (noter) that authorises a named person (vekil — the agent or attorney) to act on your behalf for specifically defined purposes. The vekaletname is legally binding under Turkish law and is recognised by all Turkish government offices, courts, land registries, and commercial institutions. The scope of the vekaletname must be clearly defined — you specify exactly what the authorised person can and cannot do. In Turkey, a vekaletname prepared at a notary is more trusted than informal letters of authorisation, and for significant transactions (property purchase, company formation, inheritance) it is legally required.

When do foreigners need a vekaletname in Turkey?

Common situations where foreigners use a vekaletname in Turkey: (1) Property purchase or sale — if you cannot attend the Land Registry (Tapu Müdürlüğü) in person for the title deed transfer, you need a vekaletname authorising a lawyer, real estate agent, or trusted person to sign on your behalf. (2) Property management — authorising a property manager to rent your Turkish property, collect rent, manage repairs, and deal with tenants while you are abroad. (3) Company formation — if a foreign investor cannot be present at the formation of a Turkish company, a vekaletname for a representative is used. (4) Inheritance proceedings — authorising a lawyer to manage an estate on your behalf. (5) Vehicle registration or sale — if you cannot attend in person. (6) Bank account matters — some banking operations require a vekaletname authorising another person to act. (7) Immigration matters — authorising a lawyer to handle ikamet applications or renewals on your behalf.

How do I get a vekaletname as a foreigner in Turkey?

To get a vekaletname prepared in Turkey as a foreigner: Step 1: Identify a Turkish notary (noter). Find one via noter.org.tr or ask your lawyer/real estate agent for a recommendation. No appointment is typically needed for standard powers of attorney — larger notary offices can usually see you the same or next day. Step 2: Arrange a sworn translator (yeminli tercüman). If you do not speak Turkish, a sworn translator must be present at the notary for you to sign any document. The notary must ensure you understand what you are signing. Call ahead and ask the notary to arrange a translator, or bring your own registered sworn translator. Step 3: Bring required documents. Passport (original), Turkish tax number if applicable, and any specific documents related to the transaction (property address, land registry details for property PoA). Step 4: Attend the notary and review the document. The notary drafts the vekaletname in Turkish. The translator explains it in your language. Do not sign until you understand every point. Step 5: Notary witnesses your signature and applies their official seal. Pay the notary fee. You receive the completed, legally valid vekaletname.

How much does a vekaletname cost in Turkey?

Vekaletname costs at a Turkish notary follow a nationally regulated tariff (the Noterlik Ücret Tarifesi, revised annually by the Ministry of Justice and published in the Official Gazette), so the base rate is the same at every notary in the country — actual totals vary with page count, translator use, and copies. As a practical guide: simple/general power of attorney ₺1,200–2,500 (the 2026 gazetted base fee for a general vekaletname alone is around ₺1,177, before page/translator/copy add-ons). Property purchase/sale power of attorney ₺2,500–6,000 (includes all property-related authorisations). Property management power of attorney (managing rental, utilities, etc.) ₺1,500–3,500. Company formation power of attorney ₺2,000–5,000. Inheritance power of attorney ₺2,000–6,000 (complex, often more pages). Sworn translator fee (if not bringing your own) ₺300–800 per session. Multiple copies: you can request additional certified copies at the notary for ₺200–400 each — always get 3 copies for important transactions. Total cost example: a property purchase vekaletname with a translator = approximately ₺3,000–7,000 all-in. Treat these as planning ranges, not fixed quotes — ask your notary for the exact current-year figure before you attend.

Can I get a Turkish vekaletname at a Turkish consulate abroad?

Yes — Turkish consulates and embassies abroad can prepare vekaletname documents for use in Turkey. This is useful if you are not currently in Turkey but need to authorise someone to act on your behalf (for example, to complete a property purchase remotely). Process: contact your nearest Turkish consulate (büyükelçilik or başkonsolosluk) to book an appointment. Attend with your passport and any property or transaction documents relevant to the authorisation scope. The consular staff will prepare the vekaletname in Turkish. You sign in front of the consular officer. A vekaletname issued at a Turkish consulate is immediately valid in Turkey — it does not need a separate apostille, because the consulate is a Turkish state authority, not a foreign one. The consulate charges the same regulated notary fees as in Turkey. Processing time at consulates varies — some can do it same-day, others require several days for appointment availability. UK: Turkish Consulate London, Turkish Consulate Manchester. Germany: multiple Turkish Consulates (Berlin, Frankfurt, Hamburg, Munich etc.).

What scope should a property purchase vekaletname include?

A comprehensive property purchase vekaletname in Turkey should authorise the named agent to: (1) Sign the preliminary purchase agreement (ön sözleşme) and any amendments. (2) Represent you at the Land Registry (Tapu Müdürlüğü) for the title deed transfer. (3) Apply for and receive the official property valuation report (ekspertiz raporu). (4) Open and manage a Turkish bank account on your behalf for the property transaction (if needed). (5) Sign mortgage documents if applicable. (6) Pay purchase taxes and fees (tapu harcı). (7) Arrange and sign DASK compulsory earthquake insurance. (8) Register the property at the relevant government offices. (9) Collect and manage keys, utility account transfers, and move-in documentation. The vekaletname should specify the exact property (address, ada/parsel — block/parcel numbers) to which it applies — not a blanket property authority. Lawyers who work with foreign buyers consistently recommend this kind of scoped, transaction-specific power of attorney over a broad general one; have a Turkish property lawyer draft the scope before you go to the notary.

How long is a vekaletname valid in Turkey?

A vekaletname in Turkey does not automatically expire — it remains valid until: (1) It is formally revoked (iptal/azil) by the person who granted it (the principal). (2) The principal dies — a vekaletname is automatically void upon the death of the person who granted it. (3) A specific expiry date is written into the vekaletname itself — some are drafted with a validity period (e.g. "valid for 6 months from the date of this document"). (4) The specific transaction it authorises is completed (though the document itself remains legally in existence). Practical guidance: for property transactions in Turkey, the land registry typically prefers a vekaletname issued within the last 12 months. If your vekaletname is more than a year old, the land registry may ask for a confirmation that it has not been revoked (a "not revoked" confirmation from the issuing notary — available on the same day at the notary). Best practice: have a new vekaletname prepared for each major transaction rather than reusing old ones.

How do I revoke (cancel) a vekaletname in Turkey?

To revoke a vekaletname in Turkey: (1) Go to any Turkish notary (noter) — not necessarily the one where the original was prepared. (2) Present your passport and details of the vekaletname to be revoked (date, notary that issued it, reference number if available). (3) The notary prepares an azilname (revocation document). Sign and pay the fee (approximately ₺500–1,000). (4) The notary enters the revocation in the national notary database. All Turkish notaries and the parties holding the original vekaletname can verify the revocation. (5) Notify the person who held the vekaletname (the agent/vekil) directly in writing. They are no longer authorised to act on your behalf from the date of revocation. Turkish law: once a vekaletname is revoked and the revocation is entered in the notary system, any transactions attempted using the revoked vekaletname are null and void. From abroad: revocation can be done at a Turkish consulate, similar to the original preparation process.

Can my Turkish lawyer hold a vekaletname on my behalf?

Yes — one of the most common uses of a vekaletname in Turkey is authorising a Turkish lawyer (avukat) to represent you. A lawyer-specific vekaletname (avukata vekaletname) is slightly different from a general power of attorney: for a lawyer to represent you in Turkish courts, the vekaletname must include specific legal representation wording. For property transactions, the lawyer acts under a property-specific vekaletname. The lawyer's name, bar registration number, and the specific scope of authorisation should be included. A Turkish avukat can use a vekaletname to: sign on your behalf at the Tapu (land registry), appear in court, communicate with government offices, file and follow up on applications, manage your property, and handle banking matters — but only within the defined scope. Trust: choosing the right lawyer is critical. A broadly scoped vekaletname in the hands of a dishonest lawyer creates serious risk. Only grant authority to a verified, reputable lawyer for the minimum scope needed.

What is the difference between a vekaletname and an apostille in Turkey?

These are completely different and often confused: A vekaletname is a power of attorney — it authorises someone else to act on your behalf. It is prepared at a notary and gives legal authority to another person. An apostille is a certification of an official document's authenticity for international use, under the 1961 Hague Convention. It certifies that the notary seal and signature on a document are genuine. When you need both: if you get a vekaletname prepared in Turkey and then need to use it in another country (e.g. for managing a UK bank account from Turkey), you would: (1) Get the vekaletname prepared at a Turkish notary. (2) Get a Turkish apostille — for a notarised document like a vekaletname this is issued by the Governor's Office (Valilik) or District Governor's Office (Kaymakamlık) covering the notary that issued it, not by a central Ministry of Justice office — applied to the vekaletname. The apostille makes the Turkish notary's seal internationally recognised. Vice versa: if you get a power of attorney prepared in the UK and want to use it in Turkey, the UK document needs an apostille from the UK FCDO, and then a certified Turkish translation by a yeminli tercüman in Turkey.

What is the difference between a genel vekaletname (general) and özel vekaletname (special/limited)?

Turkish notaries distinguish between two broad styles of power of attorney. A genel vekaletname (general power of attorney) grants wide-ranging authority across many types of transactions — useful if you need someone to handle ongoing admin, banking, and correspondence for you over an extended period while you are abroad. A özel or sınırlı vekaletname (special/limited power of attorney) is scoped narrowly to a single, named transaction — for example, authority limited to selling one specific apartment identified by its ada/parsel (block/parcel) numbers, or forming one named company. For foreigners, especially for property purchases, a scoped/limited vekaletname is the recommended and far more common approach: it gives your agent exactly the authority needed for that transaction and nothing more, which sharply limits the damage a dishonest or careless agent could do. Reserve a genel vekaletname for situations where you genuinely need broad, ongoing authority (e.g. a spouse managing all your affairs during a long absence) and only grant it to someone you trust completely.

Is a photo required on a vekaletname used for property (tapu) transactions?

Yes. Under a Turkish Land Registry and Cadastre General Directorate (Tapu ve Kadastro Genel Müdürlüğü) circular governing property transactions, a power of attorney used at the land registry must have a recent, colour, passport-style photograph of the principal (the person granting the power) physically affixed to the document and sealed by the notary — a stapled or paper-clipped photo is not accepted, it must be glued/affixed. The photo must be recent enough to allow identification and must accurately reflect your current appearance. This requirement exists specifically so that land registry staff — who have never met you — can visually confirm that the person who signed the vekaletname is genuinely who they claim to be, guarding against property fraud. This photo requirement applies to vekaletname used for tapu transactions specifically; it is not required for every type of general power of attorney. Bring 1–2 recent passport photos with you to the notary appointment to be safe.

Can I use a power of attorney from my home country directly in Turkey without going to a Turkish notary or consulate?

Not directly — but you have two practical routes if you cannot go to a Turkish notary in person. Route 1 (recommended, simplest): visit your nearest Turkish consulate abroad, where a bilingual consular officer prepares the vekaletname in Turkish; it is immediately valid in Turkey with no further steps. Route 2: have a power of attorney drawn up by a local notary in your home country, then obtain an apostille certifying that notary's seal (from the relevant apostille authority in a Hague Convention country — e.g. the FCDO in the UK, or the Secretary of State's office in most US states), and finally have the document translated into Turkish by a yeminli tercüman (sworn translator) once you need to use it in Turkey. Route 2 takes longer and costs more (local notary fee + apostille fee + certified translation fee) than simply attending a Turkish consulate, so most foreigners use the consulate route when the option is available.

What happens if my vekil (agent) misuses the power of attorney?

A vekaletname is a serious grant of legal authority, and Turkish property and financial fraud involving misused powers of attorney does occur, most often when a foreign owner grants a broad, poorly scoped vekaletname to someone introduced by a seller, developer, or unverified "fixer" rather than to their own independently chosen lawyer. If a vekil acts outside the scope written into the document, those actions are not legally binding on the principal and can be challenged in Turkish courts — but pursuing this after the fact is costly, slow, and stressful, especially from abroad. The much better approach is prevention: use a narrowly scoped, transaction-specific vekaletname rather than a broad general one; grant it only to a lawyer or agent you have independently verified (checked bar registration for lawyers via the relevant bar association, or checked company registration for agencies); keep the original document's details (notary, date, reference number) recorded yourself; and revoke the vekaletname at any notary the moment the authorised transaction is complete.

Can a vekaletname be used to open a Turkish bank account or apply for a residence permit?

Yes, within limits. For banking, most Turkish banks will let a properly authorised vekil open or operate certain account types on your behalf, though larger banks increasingly prefer the account holder to appear in person at least once for anti-money-laundering identity verification — check with your specific bank before relying on a vekaletname for account opening. For residence permit (ikamet) matters, a vekaletname is commonly used to authorise a lawyer or agent to submit paperwork, respond to Provincial Directorate of Migration Management (Göç İdaresi) requests, and collect the residence permit card on your behalf — but the initial biometric appointment for a first-time residence permit generally requires the applicant's own physical presence, since fingerprints and a photo are taken directly. A vekaletname cannot substitute for biometric enrolment.

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Turkish Legal Services — Power of Attorney

Power of Attorney in Turkey for Foreigners (2026):
Vekaletname Complete Guide

A vekaletname (notarised power of attorney) is one of the most important legal documents for foreigners in Turkey. You need one for property purchases, company formation, property management, and dozens of other situations where you cannot be present in person. This is the complete guide — when you need it, what to include, how much it costs, and how to get one from abroad.

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A vekaletname is a notarised power of attorney prepared at a Turkish notary (noter). It authorises someone to act on your behalf for a specific purpose. For property purchase: costs approximately ₺2,500–6,000 all-in (notary fees are set nationally and revised each year). Requires a sworn translator (yeminli tercüman) if you don't speak Turkish. Can be prepared at Turkish consulates abroad with no apostille needed. Property (tapu) power of attorney must carry a recent photo of the principal. Valid indefinitely unless revoked — but land registries prefer documents less than 12 months old. Lawyers recommend a narrow, transaction-specific (özel) power of attorney over a broad general one, especially for property.

Last updated July 2026·Bartu Cavusoglu

Common Vekaletname Types and Costs

Type	Cost Range	What It Authorises	Translator Required?
Property purchase	₺2,500–6,000	Title deed signing, valuation, insurance, registration	Yes — if you don't speak Turkish
Property sale	₺2,500–5,000	Title deed transfer as seller, receipt of funds	Yes
Property management	₺1,500–3,500	Rental management, utility accounts, minor repairs	Yes
General/admin purposes	₺1,200–2,500	Bank accounts, government correspondence, general admin	Yes
Company formation	₺2,000–5,000	Forming and registering a company on your behalf	Yes
Inheritance	₺2,000–6,000	Managing estate, dealing with courts and registries	Yes
Legal representation (lawyer)	₺1,000–3,000	Representing in court, legal proceedings	Yes
Vehicle sale	₺800–2,000	Signing vehicle sale documents, registration transfer	Yes

Notary fees in Turkey are not set by individual notary offices — they follow a national Noterlik Ücret Tarifesi (Notary Fee Tariff) revised annually and published in the Official Gazette in late December, taking effect from 1 January each year. Every notary in the country charges the same regulated base rate; the ranges above reflect real-world variation from page count, translator use, and the number of certified copies requested — treat them as planning figures and confirm the exact current fee with your notary.

General vs Limited Vekaletname: Which Scope Do You Need?

Not all vekaletname documents are the same shape. The single biggest decision you'll make when instructing a notary is how broad to make the scope — this matters more for your security than almost anything else in the process.

↔Scroll to see full table

FeatureGenel (General)Özel / Sınırlı (Special/Limited)ScopeBroad — covers many transaction types over timeNarrow — one defined transaction (e.g. one named property, one company)Typical useOngoing admin/banking while abroad long-term; a trusted spouse or family member managing multiple affairsProperty purchase/sale, single company formation, one specific court case, one vehicle saleRisk levelHigher — broad authority in the wrong hands is dangerousLower — vekil can only act on the listed itemsRecommended for property?Not recommended for property aloneYes — lawyers recommend this for foreign buyers

Getting a Vekaletname: Step by Step

Define the scope precisely

Before going to the notary, write down exactly what you need the authorised person (vekil) to be able to do. For property: include the specific property address and ada/parsel (block/parcel) numbers. For general admin: list the specific actions. Scope that is too broad creates security risks; too narrow creates problems mid-transaction.

Find a Turkish notary (noter)

Use noter.org.tr to find your nearest notary office. In major cities, no appointment is needed for standard vekaletname. Call ahead to confirm they can handle your language combination and to arrange a translator if needed.

Arrange a sworn translator

If you do not speak Turkish, a yeminli tercüman (sworn translator) must be present. Call the notary at least 24 hours ahead to arrange one (cost: ₺300–800). Bring your own if you have a trusted one — their registration number must be verifiable.

Bring required documents

Your passport (original). Your Turkish tax number if it has been issued. Any property documents (address, ada/parsel numbers). The full name and Turkish ID number (TC Kimlik No or Yabancı Kimlik No) of the person you are authorising (the vekil). For property (tapu) transactions, bring 1–2 recent colour passport photos of yourself — required for the document to be usable at the land registry.

Review and understand the document

The notary or translator will go through the vekaletname with you in your language before you sign. Read every word — or have it translated to you. Pay particular attention to the scope: what the vekil can and cannot do.

Sign and pay

Once you confirm you understand and agree, sign in front of the notary. Pay the fee (cash or card — check ahead). Request 3 certified copies. You receive a legally valid vekaletname on the same day.

Document Requirements Checklist

Valid passport (original — photocopies are not accepted for signing)

Turkish tax number (vergi numarası), if you already have one — recommended even where not strictly mandatory

Full legal name, nationality, and Turkish ID number (TC Kimlik No or Yabancı Kimlik No) of the vekil (the person you are authorising)

For property (tapu) transactions: a recent, colour, passport-style photo of yourself, physically affixed and sealed onto the document — required under Land Registry (Tapu ve Kadastro Genel Müdürlüğü) rules so registry staff can visually verify your identity

Specific transaction details: property address and ada/parsel numbers, company name and details, vehicle plate/chassis number, or court case reference, depending on what the vekaletname covers

A sworn translator (yeminli tercüman), arranged in advance, if you do not speak Turkish

Getting a Vekaletname from Abroad

If you are not in Turkey, you have two routes to authorise someone to act for you in Turkey. The Turkish consulate route is faster and simpler for most people; the home-country notary + apostille route is a fallback when a consulate appointment isn't practical.

Contact your nearest Turkish consulate (büyükelçilik or başkonsolosluk) by phone or email to book an appointment

Prepare the scope of the vekaletname — bring a written summary of what you need authorised

Bring your passport (original), any relevant documents (property details, name of the vekil with their Turkish ID number), plus a recent passport photo for property-related PoAs

A Turkish-speaking consular officer will prepare the vekaletname

You sign in front of the consular officer — no separate translator needed as consular staff are bilingual, and no apostille is required since the consulate is a Turkish authority

Fees are the same as in Turkey (regulated notary tariff). Processing: same day or within 1–2 days depending on consulate

↔Scroll to see full table

MethodWhereApostille?Translation?Typical TimingTurkish ConsulateConsulate/embassy in your home countryNot neededNot needed — consular staff prepare it in Turkish directlySame day to a few days, appointment-dependentHome-country notary + apostilleLocal notary, then apostille authority (e.g. FCDO in the UK)RequiredRequired — certified sworn Turkish translation before use in TurkeyTypically longer — days to a few weeks depending on apostille processing

Critical Warnings for Vekaletname

• Broad scope is dangerous: A vekaletname authorising someone to buy, sell, mortgage, and transfer any and all property is very high risk. Limit scope to the specific transaction.
• Verify your vekil: Only grant a vekaletname to someone you completely trust. Property fraud via vekaletname exists — an unscrupulous vekil with broad authority can cause enormous damage.
• Property purchase PoA: the vekil should be your own verified lawyer or a trusted person, not someone introduced to you by the property developer or seller.
• Check credentials independently: for a lawyer, verify their bar registration with the relevant bar association yourself rather than relying on a business card or website claim.
• Revoke promptly if the transaction falls through: do not leave vekaletname documents unused — revoke at the notary as soon as the authorised purpose is complete or cancelled.

Which Vekaletname Do You Need?

Situation

Buying property remotely

Recommended vekaletname

Özel/limited PoA scoped to the specific parcel

Name the exact ada/parsel numbers and give it to your own independently verified property lawyer — not someone introduced by the seller or developer.

Situation

Managing a rental property long-term while abroad

Recommended vekaletname

Limited property-management PoA

Covers rent collection, utility accounts, and minor repairs without exposing you to broader risks like a full sale authority.

Situation

Forming a company without being present

Recommended vekaletname

Company-formation PoA

Scoped to the incorporation and registration steps only; renew or issue a fresh, narrower PoA for ongoing company management afterwards.

Situation

Handling an inheritance case

Recommended vekaletname

Inheritance/estate PoA to a specialist lawyer

Estate matters in Turkey can be complex and multi-stage — a lawyer holding a scoped PoA can act at courts and land registries without you attending each hearing.

Situation

A one-off bank or government errand

Recommended vekaletname

Narrow admin PoA limited to that single errand

Avoid a broad general PoA for a single task — the risk-to-convenience ratio does not favour it.

Situation

Ongoing legal representation in court

Recommended vekaletname

Avukata vekaletname (lawyer representation PoA)

Must include specific legal-representation wording and your lawyer's bar registration number to be valid for court appearances.

Frequently Asked Questions

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Full property purchase guide — vekaletname used throughout

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Finding and verifying a Turkish property lawyer

Moving to Turkey Document Checklist

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Power of Attorney in Turkey for Foreigners (2026):Vekaletname Complete Guide

Common Vekaletname Types and Costs

General vs Limited Vekaletname: Which Scope Do You Need?

Getting a Vekaletname: Step by Step

Document Requirements Checklist

Getting a Vekaletname from Abroad

Which Vekaletname Do You Need?

Frequently Asked Questions

Related Guides

Power of Attorney in Turkey for Foreigners (2026):
Vekaletname Complete Guide