In Turkey, the process of obtaining an apostille follows the guidelines of the Hague Apostille Convention, which Turkey is a member of. The apostille is used to authenticate documents for international use in countries that are also parties to the Hague Convention.

Steps to Get an Apostille for Documents in Turkey:

1. Determine the Document Type: Documents that can be apostilled in Turkey include:
   • Birth certificates
   • Marriage certificates
   • Academic diplomas and transcripts
   • Notarized documents (e.g., powers of attorney, affidavits)
   • Court decisions and other official documents issued by state authorities
2. Obtain the Document: The document must be issued by an official Turkish authority. For example:
   • Birth, marriage, or death certificates issued by the Civil Registry (Nüfus Müdürlüğü).
   • Academic diplomas issued by universities or educational institutions in Turkey.
   • Notarized documents from licensed Turkish notaries.
   • Official documents issued by government bodies or courts.
3. Notarization (if required): If your document requires notarization (such as powers of attorney, contracts, etc.), it must first be notarized by a licensed Turkish notary public before it can be apostilled.
4. Submit the Document to the Provincial or District Governorship: In Turkey, the provincial or district governorships (Valilik) are responsible for issuing apostilles. These offices are part of the Ministry of Justice and handle apostille requests for documents issued by Turkish authorities. Depending on the region, documents may be submitted to the provincial or district governorship. Important: The Ministry of Justice (Adalet Bakanlığı) is the central authority overseeing apostille issuance.
5. Complete the Apostille Application Form: When submitting your document, you will need to complete an apostille application form. This form can be obtained from the local governorship office or the Ministry of Justice’s website.
6. Pay the Apostille Fee: There is a processing fee for obtaining an apostille in Turkey. The fee can vary based on the type of document and region, and it must be paid at the time of submission.
7. Processing Time:
   • In-person submissions: Apostille processing typically takes 1–2 business days.
   • By mail: If submitting by mail, processing may take 5–7 business days, depending on postal delivery times and volume.
8. Collect the Apostilled Document: After the apostille is applied, you can collect the apostilled document from the provincial or district governorship, or it can be mailed back to you if you submitted your request by post.

Key Points:

• Turkey is a member of the Hague Apostille Convention, so documents apostilled in Turkey are valid in other countries that are also members of the convention and vice versa.
• The provincial or district governorships are responsible for issuing apostilles for documents issued by Turkish authorities.
• Foreign documents must be apostilled in their country of origin before they can be used in Turkey.

Documents and Information You Will Need:

• The original document you want to have apostilled.
• A completed apostille application form.
• Proof of identity (passport or national ID card may be required).
• Payment for the apostille fee.

Where to Go for Apostille in Turkey:

• Ministry of Justice (Adalet Bakanlığı):
  • Address: Adalet Bakanlığı, 06659 Kocatepe, Ankara, Turkey.
  • Phone: +90 312 218 16 00
  • Website: Ministry of Justice – Turkey
• Provincial or District Governorships: Each provincial or district office in Turkey handles apostille requests for documents issued in that area. Contact your local Valilik (governorship) for specific submission details.

For the most up-to-date information on fees, application forms, and processing times, it is best to contact the Ministry of Justice or your local governorship directly or visit their official websites.