If you’re not a Turkish citizen but are married to a Turkish spouse, you may be eligible to apply for Turkish citizenship. Here’s a concise overview of the process and the documents typically involved.
Registration of your Marriage
- Your marriage must be registered in Turkey’s Civil Registry Records (Nüfus Kütüğü). In other words, your Turkish spouse’s marital status should show “married” in their Civil Registry records, and your name should appear in those records.
- Your spouse can verify marital status on their e-Devlet (e-Government) account.
- If the marriage is not registered in Turkish records, registration must be completed first (Evlilik tescili).
Documents the non-Turkish spouse typically needs
- Valid passport (ideally a U.S. passport for U.S. applications)
- Birth certificate
- Background check (often an FBI Identity History Summary Check) See: Identity History Summary Checks FAQs
Notes on general considerations
- This information is for general guidance; specific requirements can vary by application. You’re welcome to email us your documents for a free estimate.
- Common issues that may arise:
- Inconsistencies in records, such as a different last name from a prior marriage
- Birth name on the birth certificate not matching the pre-marriage name
- Marriage not registered in Turkish records
- Additional note for male applicants: If you are in or near military service age, consult about compulsory military service in Turkey. Depending on age and circumstances, there are programs such as short-term training, full-term training, or paid waivers that may apply. These programs can change annually.
How we can help
- Translation and legal approvals: Your three (3) required documents must be translated and receive state notary and apostille authentication. Note that translation certificates must bear the translator’s name and be signed in the presence of a notary public; this is not optional. Translation and legal approvals typically take 2–3 weeks, with a rush option often available for an additional fee.
- Document preparation: I can review your materials, prepare your application file, and organize the submission. (Optional service)
- Form completion and consular coordination: I can correspond with the Consulate on your behalf, fill out forms, and schedule appointments. (Optional service)
- In-person appointment assistance: I can accompany you to your citizenship appointment to provide facilitation and Turkish–English interpreter support. (Optional service)
- Comprehensive project management: I can manage the entire process, from document review to appointment scheduling, and provide a price and delivery estimate if you’d like to proceed. (Optional service)
When you’re ready to apply, email all of your documents in one message and I’ll respond with a price and estimated delivery timeline.