Getting married in Turkey is a popular choice for UK citizens, but the paperwork needs to be prepared carefully. Turkish authorities may ask for documents proving your identity, age, nationality and legal ability to marry.
The exact requirements can vary depending on the local municipality, your nationality, previous marital status and whether documents need to be translated. Confirm the document list before arranging legalisation.
Proof of identity
A valid UK passport is usually required when arranging a marriage in Turkey.
In some cases, the Turkish authority may ask for a certified copy of your passport. If a copy is needed, it may have to be certified by a UK solicitor or Notary Public before it can be legalised.
Check whether the authority wants the original passport, a certified copy, a notarised copy or a translated version.
Birth certificate
A UK birth certificate may be requested to confirm your full name, date of birth and parent details.
For overseas use, this should usually be an original certificate or an official certified copy issued by the correct UK registration authority. A photocopy or scan is unlikely to be accepted.
Many authorities prefer the full birth certificate because it includes parent details.
Proof that you are free to marry
You may need to provide evidence that there is no legal barrier to your marriage.
This could include a Certificate of No Impediment, statutory declaration, affidavit or other proof of marital status, depending on the requirements of the Turkish authority handling the marriage.
These documents may need to be issued or signed in the correct format before legalisation.
If you have been divorced
If you have been married before, you will usually need to provide proof that the previous marriage legally ended.
This may be a Decree Absolute, Final Order or other divorce document. If the document is not an original court-issued version, it may need solicitor or notary certification before legalisation.
A translation may also be required before the Turkish authority will accept it.
If your previous spouse has died
If your previous marriage ended because your spouse passed away, you may be asked to provide a death certificate.
For overseas use, this should normally be an original death certificate or an official certified copy issued by a recognised UK registration authority.
The certificate may need legalisation and translation before submission.
Translation requirements
Turkey may require UK documents to be translated into Turkish before they are accepted.
The type of translation and the correct order should be confirmed in advance. Some authorities may want documents legalised first and translated afterwards. Others may have specific local requirements for translation and certification.
Using the wrong translation route can lead to delays or rejection.
Legalisation requirements
UK documents being used in Turkey usually need to be legalised before submission.
Some documents can be legalised as official originals. Others, such as passport copies, affidavits or certain private documents, may need solicitor or notary certification first.
The correct route depends on the document type and the wording requested by the Turkish authority.
Allow enough time before the ceremony
Marriage paperwork can take longer than expected because it may involve ordering UK certificates, giving notice, arranging certification, legalisation and translation.
Some documents may also need to be recent, so timing matters. Applying too early or too late can both create problems.
If you are getting married in Turkey, 12 Apostille can help confirm which UK documents are needed and manage the legalisation process before your ceremony.