Under Turkish law, individuals convicted of a crime may request the expungement of their criminal record five years after completing their sentence. This right aligns with Article 76 of the Turkish Constitution, which protects the principle against self-incrimination. Accordingly, criminal records are retained for a maximum of 5 years, after which a formal application can be made for removal.

Who Can Access Criminal Records in Turkey?

Access to criminal record data is strictly limited. Only the convicted person or the Office of the Attorney General can view or request this personal and sensitive data. Legal representatives may also access the record if they have been granted a notarized power of attorney by the individual concerned.

How Can a Lawyer Help?

If you are abroad or unable to apply in person, a Turkish lawyer who is registered with the Union of Turkish Bar Associations (UTBA) can handle the process on your behalf. You can find a list of Istanbul-based lawyers via the official Istanbul Bar Association directory: Attorney Search.

Required Documents for Foreigners

Foreign nationals must provide their Turkish Residence ID Card or at least their Foreigner ID Number (YKN). This is especially important for names written in Arabic or other non-Latin scripts, as the digital registry systems in Turkey may fail to match name entries without a valid ID number.

Apostille and Translation Requirements

The criminal record certificate is issued only in Turkish. If the receiving country is a party to the Hague Apostille Convention, the document can be apostilled and then translated into the required language in that country. However, if the foreigner’s country is not part of the Apostille Convention, the criminal record must be certified by the Turkish Consulate in that country to confirm its authenticity.

How Long Does It Take?

Obtaining a criminal record certificate from the Attorney General’s Office in Turkey typically takes a few hours when all required documents are properly submitted.

Looking for Legal Support?
If you need assistance obtaining your criminal record in Turkey, our English-speaking lawyers are ready to help. Visit our international website for more information.