What happens if I marry a Turkish citizen?

The information provided below is for UK passport holders.If you are from another country please ask your Home Office. Formal documentation is requested by the United Kingdom and Turkish authorities to marry in Turkey.

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1- The easiest method is for each British National to obtain a Certificate of Non Impediment from the local registrar in the town where they reside in the UK, before travelling to Turkey. This will take approximately three weeks or 21 days.

With this document you will need to produce:

• your passport/identification
• your fiance/fiancee passport/identification;
• your divorce papers i.e. death certificate of former spouse if applicable,
• your FULL birth certificate

You may apply to the British Consulate General in Istanbul or Izmir or the British Vice-Consulate in Antalya or the British Embassy in Ankara.
Your Certificate of Non Impediment will be reproduced in the Turkish language. In addition you will be required to make a Sworn Declaration as to your status i.e. divorced/single/widowed confirming that you are free to marry.This declaration may need to be withnessed by a Notary Public in the UK who will advise you about legalisation.In the UK ask your local Notary Public.

Please note that a Certificate of Non Impediment issued by the Registrar in Scotland is valid for three months from the date of issue and should be presented to a British Mission abroad before the expiry date. Certificates of Non Impediment issued in England do not have a validity restriction.

Getting Married in Turkey

What to do if you do not have a Certificate of Non Impediment issued from the UK.

2- You must be resident in Turkey for 21 days, before applying to the appropriate British Mission in Turkey, providing all documents as listed in para, except your Certificate of Non Impediment. A Notice of your intention to marry will then be posted in the Consulate/Embassy premises for a further 21 days. On the 22nd day, you should again come to the Consulate or Embassy, when a Certificate of Non Impediment will be issued in the Turkish language. Again a Declaration by yourself, confirming your eligibility to marry, must be made. If this declaration is made in Britain, it may have to be notarised by a notary public.

3- In both cases your documents must be leg alised by the Turkish Authorities, either by the Ministry of Foreign Affairs in Ankara or the Governor in Antalya, Istanbul, or Izmir. When you call at the Consulate or Embassy, staff will explain where to go and what to do.
4- A medical examination is necessary at a State hospital in Turkey. Full details are available in the information leaflet provided by the Turkish Marriage Office.
5- lf you wish to register your marriage with the General Register Office in the United Kingdom, the following documents are required:

• Copy of your passport
• Copy of your fiance/fiancee’s passport/ ID
• Marriage certificate
• FORMUL B obtained from the local Register Office in Turkey (Nüfus Müdürlüğü)
• Fee – £23.50.-

6- Fees :

• Notice of Marriage – £41
• Declaration – £35
• Certificate of Non Impediment – £41

All fees are paid in Turkish Lira at the current Consular Rate of Exchange. Legalisation fees may be extra.

Necessary Documents for marrying a Turkish person

1. Four (4) copies of the petition of the marriage. To start an action, the groom and the bride must submit a petition of the marriage. This is called Evlenmme Beyannamesi
2. Identification such as: Passport, Identification card or Birth Certificate
3. Health certificate (If demanded by one of the parties
4. Six (6) passport size photos of the bride and the groom
5. Certificate of capacity to Marry. (Single, divorced, widow…)

For foreigners the Certificate of Non impediment can be obtained from the relevant Embassy or Consulate which then needs to be authenticated by the local Governor office in Turkey.

Foreigners who reside in Turkey, as provided in the Turkish Civil Law: According to Turkish Citizenship Law, marrying a foreigner does not affect the citizenship of the husband. A foreign wife marrying a Turkish husband has the right to choose her own citizenship.

You need to get married in Turkey. He can arrange his legal checks but you will not be able to book the wedding in advance.You will need a certificate of no legal impediment-from your local register office, your birth certificate and any divorce papers (all translated into Turkish and these may need to be notarized in the UK).

You then go to Turkey, visit his local registrar office and hope to God they will marry you during your stay. Some areas require you both to be AIDS tested: check this out before you go. It’s not easy in some towns.

After the marriage the husband will need to apply to the British Consulate (British Consulate General Istanbul Meşrutiyet Caddesi No 34. Tepebasi Beyoğlu 34435 Istanbul Tel: +90 212 334 64 00) in Istanbul for a visa.

He will need an appointment-could take up to 2 up to 4 months to get this. You can call the consulate yourself to check out waiting times etc. You will need to collate bank statements, proof of income and savings, proof of suitable accommodation for you both to live in and proof of job etc.

You should then go with him to the Consulate for his appointment-take with your wedding photos, etc. Also learn as much as you can about his family etc. You will be quizzed. It helps if you meet his family or they attend the wedding. The Consulate should give him his visa…

PS. He must have completed his compulsory military service.