What Is a Certificate of Divorce?

A Certificate of Divorce (Boşanma Belgesi) is an official document that confirms the dissolution of a marriage. In Turkey, this document is issued after a final court decision and is required for various legal purposes, such as remarrying or updating civil records abroad.

How to Obtain a Certificate of Divorce in Turkey

1. Power of Attorney Requirement

If you cannot personally handle the process, you must grant power of attorney (vekaletname) to a lawyer. The power of attorney should be notarized and, if issued outside Turkey, it must be apostilled or certified by the Turkish consulate.

2. Checking Civil Registry Records

Once a divorce judgment is finalized, it is recorded in the Turkish Civil Registry Office (Nüfus Müdürlüğü). To check whether the divorce has been registered:

• Visit the local Nüfus Müdürlüğü.
• Submit an official request for a family record extract (nüfus kayıt örneği) to confirm the divorce registration.

3. Obtaining Court Information

If the divorce has not been registered, you need to get the final court decision (kesinleşme şerhi içeren mahkeme kararı) from the court where the case was heard. You can:

• Visit the relevant Family Court (Aile Mahkemesi).
• Request a certified copy of the finalized judgment.

4. Apostille Certification for International Use

If you need the Certificate of Divorce for use abroad, it must be apostilled to be legally recognized. The steps are:

• Obtain the certified court decision.
• Submit the document to the Governor’s Office (Valilik) or District Governor’s Office (Kaymakamlık) for the apostille seal.

Common Use Cases

• Marriage Abroad: Many countries require a divorce certificate before allowing remarriage.
• Visa and Residency Applications: Immigration authorities may request proof of marital status.
• Name Change or Civil Records Update: Essential for official record modifications.

Conclusion

Obtaining a Certificate of Divorce in Turkey involves multiple steps, including checking civil records, retrieving the court decision, and obtaining an apostille for international validity. If you need assistance with the process, our legal team can represent you through power of attorney to ensure a smooth procedure.