Türkiye
Apostille in Türkiye
At a glance
Who issues apostilles in Türkiye, and what does it cost?
| Uses apostilles? | Uses apostilles1 |
|---|---|
| Member since | 1 |
| How it joined | Ratified (signed and confirmed), 1 |
| Who issues apostilles | Governors and district governors (valilikler and kaymakamlıklar), administrative documents: governors, district heads and chief secretaries in provinces, and district heads in towns2 Presidencies of the Judicial Commissions (Adalet Komisyonu Başkanlıkları) at places with high criminal courts, judicial documents2 |
| Fee | No fee, according to the office (all documents)2checked 18 October 2026 |
| Processing time | Not published by the office2checked 18 October 2026 |
| Electronic apostille | Available4 |
| Documents covered | 2 kinds of document listed by the office |
| What the receiving side decides | Whether it accepts the document: for example how recent it must be and whether it needs a translation. |
| Last checked |
Step by step
How to get an apostille in Türkiye
Take the document issued by a Turkish authority to a governorship or district governorship, which are the offices the Ministry of Foreign Affairs names as authorised to issue apostilles.3
For criminal record documents and court decisions issued electronically by the Ministry of Justice, apply for an e-Apostille on the eapostil.gov.tr website.4
Since 18 December 2023, users can sign in with an e-Devlet account on turkiye.gov.tr or eapostil.gov.tr and request an e-Apostille for a criminal record document on one screen.4
Documents
Common documents
As listed by the office:
- Criminal record documents issued electronically by the Ministry of Justice (e-Apostille)4
- Court decisions issued electronically by the Ministry of Justice (e-Apostille)4
More about these documents: criminal record certificate, court judgment.
Contacts
Who to contact in Türkiye
- Apostille officeGovernors and district governors (valilikler and kaymakamlıklar)2Administrative documents: governors, district heads and chief secretaries in provinces, and district heads in towns
- Apostille officePresidencies of the Judicial Commissions (Adalet Komisyonu Başkanlıkları) at places with high criminal courts2Judicial documents
- The office that will receive your documentAsk it before you start what it needs: an apostille, a translation, or a document issued recently.
Common situations
Using a document from or in Türkiye
A document issued in Türkiye
The apostille comes from Türkiye, from the office named above. It works in any other country where the Convention applies with Türkiye.
Check where it can be usedA document for use in Türkiye
Get the apostille in the country that issued the document, not in Türkiye. Türkiye accepts it if that country is also a member and the Convention applies between the two.
Check your countryGood to know
Good to know
Note: Rule
An apostilled document cannot be certified again by the Ministry of Foreign Affairs, because authorities in Convention countries can accept it directly.3
Before the apostille
Private documents
A private document, such as a power of attorney or a contract, is first signed in front of a notary public, and the apostille then goes on the notary’s certificate. A copy of a public document from another country is first certified by a notary public, then apostilled.
An apostille only confirms the signature, the role of the person who signed and any seal or stamp on the document. It does not confirm what the document says. The office that receives the document decides what it accepts.
Questions
Questions about apostilles in Türkiye
Does Türkiye accept apostilles?
Yes. Türkiye has been a member of the Apostille Convention since 29 September 1985, so it issues and accepts apostilles for documents exchanged with other member countries.
Who issues apostilles in Türkiye?
Governors and district governors (valilikler and kaymakamlıklar) (administrative documents: governors, district heads and chief secretaries in provinces, and district heads in towns) and Presidencies of the Judicial Commissions (Adalet Komisyonu Başkanlıkları) at places with high criminal courts (judicial documents).
How much does an apostille cost in Türkiye?
No fee, according to the office (all documents). Fees can change, so check the office’s own page before you apply.
How long does an apostille take in Türkiye?
The office does not publish a processing time (checked 18 October 2026).
Do I need to notarise a private document first?
Yes. A private document, such as a power of attorney or a contract, is first signed in front of a notary public. The apostille is then added to the notary’s certificate, not to the private document itself.
Is an apostille valid in countries that are not Convention members?
No. An apostille only works in other member countries. Countries outside the Convention use a different process, usually called legalisation. The office that receives your document decides what it accepts.
Sources and verification
Sources
- HCCH status table: Apostille Convention (1961)
- Türkiye - Competent Authority (Art. 6)
- Tasdik bilgilendirme (Ministry of Foreign Affairs of Türkiye)
- Türkiye e-Apostille notice
- Status
- Last verified: (18 October 2026)
- How it was checked
- Checked by our team against the sources above
- Next review
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