Sending documents to Türkiye from abroad
Do one thing before you post anything: have the document apostilled in the country that issued it. Türkiye cannot do it afterwards, and a translation done here on an unapostilled document is wasted.
This page exists because of one mistake we see constantly, and it costs people months.
⚠ Apostille first, in the issuing country
An apostille is issued by the country that produced the document. Türkiye cannot apostille a foreign paper, no matter which office you take it to.
If you post an unapostilled document here, the translation and notarisation done on it will not advance your file. The document has to travel back, be apostilled, and the whole chain restarts.
The correct order
- Apostille in the issuing country
- Send the document to Türkiye
- Sworn translation into Turkish
- Notarial certification, if your file requires it
- Submission
If the issuing country is not party to the Hague Convention, a longer chain applies: issuing authority, foreign ministry, then the Turkish mission.
What to send and how
Send a flat scan first so we can quote before anything travels. The physical original is needed only if a notary or institution must see it.
Include every page and reverse side — apostille annotations and stamps are part of the document and must appear in the translation.
Freshness
Institutions here expect recently issued documents. Criminal record certificates and civil registry extracts age quickly; obtaining them too early means obtaining them twice.
Working remotely
Most of the process does not require your presence. A representative can act for you if the power of attorney explicitly covers the transaction.
A power of attorney issued at a Turkish consulate is valid here directly — no apostille and no translation. One issued before a foreign notary needs apostille, translation and notarisation.
Where this fits
If you already live here rather than sending documents in, start from for foreigners in Türkiye. The certification levels referred to above are explained on how it works.
Frequently asked questions
No. It must be apostilled in the country that issued it.
The document has to go back for the apostille; work done here on it will not advance the file.
Only if a notary or the receiving institution must see it. Send a scan first for the quotation.
Yes, if the power of attorney explicitly covers the transaction. A Turkish consulate power of attorney is valid here directly.