How and where is Apostille done in Turkey? What is Divorce Apostille?

An apostille is a form of authentication issued to documents for use in countries that participate in the Hague Convention of 1961. This certification simplifies the process of recognizing official documents across borders, making international dealings more straightforward. Below, the specified questions are addressed in detail:

What is an Apostille, and How is it Obtained?

An apostille is an international attestation that certifies the authenticity of official documents. To obtain an apostille, a document initially notarized must be further authenticated by competent authorities at the local or district level (governorships or district governorships). This process ensures that the document is officially recognized in foreign countries.

Where is an Apostille Processed in a Courthouse?

For judicial documents, the apostille procedure is carried out at courthouses by the Presidencies of Justice Commissions located within the courthouses handling Serious Crime Cases. These centers are responsible for apostille certifications for court decisions and other judicial documents.

Where to Obtain an Apostille in Turkey?

In Turkey, apostille certifications are issued by district governorships and the Legal Affairs Offices of provincial governorships. For countries not part of the Apostille Convention, a separate certification process is conducted by the governorship's Legal Affairs Offices.

Apostille Fee for 2024?

As of 2024, there is no fee charged by governorships and district governorships for apostille services. This procedure is part of an official process aimed at facilitating the international recognition of documents.

Can an Apostille be Obtained via E-Government?

Citizens can request an e-apostille for certain documents, such as criminal records, through the e-Government portal or the e-Apostille website. This service enables the digital certification of documents for use in countries party to the Hague Convention.

Which Institutions Perform Apostille Services?

In Turkey, apostille services are provided by governorships and district governorships. These authorities certify documents notarized by a notary for use abroad, ensuring their international validity.

How Long Does Apostille Certification Take?

The duration for apostille certification can vary depending on the institution and the type of document. Typically, the process is completed within 3 to 10 days, but certain cases and document types may extend this period.

Is a Wet Signature Required for Apostille?

Yes, the document to be apostilled must contain an official seal and wet signature. Electronic signatures, stamp signatures, or signatures on behalf of the apostille authority are not accepted. This is crucial for the document's international legitimacy.

Apostille for Foreign Court Divorce Decrees in Turkey:

Those who have divorced abroad and wish to have their divorce recognized in Turkey face challenges, especially if the divorce was contentious. A new regulation allows those who have divorced amicably abroad to register their divorce in Turkey without filing a lawsuit. However, the same procedures continue for those involved in contentious divorces, necessitating an apostille.

Apostille Certification Details:

Apostille certification is a tangible validation that documents obtained from foreign courts are officially recognized in Turkey. This is crucial for individuals seeking to have foreign divorce decrees recognized in Turkey, requiring an apostille to validate the foreign document's official status.

How to Obtain an Apostille?

The apostille can be obtained from the institutions that issued the document. The responsible authorities for apostille issuance can vary significantly by country. In Turkey, administrative documents are issued by governorships and district governorships, while judicial documents are issued by judiciary authorities.

Countries Issuing Apostilles:

Apostille certification, enabling the recognition of foreign divorce decrees in other countries, is available from specific nations, including Germany, France, the UK, the USA, Canada, and many others. This certification is pivotal for the legal recognition of such documents across borders.

In summary, the apostille process is a vital international certification for the legal recognition of documents across countries party to the Hague Convention. It streamlines the legal formalities involved in international document recognition, serving as a critical tool for global legal and administrative processes.