Yes, according to the laws, foreigners are allowed to get married in Turkey regardless of their nationality. Turkey is a great place to live. It is one of the most popular holiday and retirement destinations among people from all around the world.
Turkey’s mesmerizing natural beauty, rich history, and colorful lifestyle make people wish to live in it. Today, many people choose to get married in Turkey and begin their honeymoon immediately after the wedding for the same reasons.
However, foreigners who wish to get married in Turkey must abide by the related laws for marriage in Turkey. Whether they are resident in Turkey or not. In addition, the procedures that need to be followed may vary depending on the nationalities of the bride and the groom.
What Are the Requirements for Marrying in Turkey?
First of all, foreigners who wish to get married in Turke
y should be old enough to do so. According to the laws, the age of marriage in Turkey is 18 and child marriage is prohibited. Secondly, marriage should be processed according to the Turkish civil code through relevant authorities. Religious ceremonies are not legally recognized in Turkey.
Thirdly, neither of the parties should be already married to someone else. Marriage culture in Turkey is based on the principle of monogamy since 1926 with the acceptance of the Turkish Civil Code. Fourthly, the parties who wish to get married must be of opposite sexes. The Turkish Civil Code does not recognize same-sex marriages.
Another important rule set out by the Turkish Civil Code is the prohibition of marriage between close relatives. There are several more detailed rules for getting married in Turkey for foreigners. These rules are on the topics of health issues, child custody, and the mental capacity to marry. You can benefit from the legal consultancy services of Tekce Visa to learn if these rules apply to your situation.
What Happens If I Marry a Turkish Citizen?
Two foreigners of the same nationality can get married in the embassy or consulate of their home country in Turkey. However, if a foreigner wishes to marry a Turkish citizen, the marriage ceremony must be conducted by the Turkish authorities. Turkish Marriage Offices run by local municipalities can conduct marriage procedures for everyone. This includes foreigners who wish to get married to Turkish citizens, foreigners of different nationalities, and foreigners of the same nationalities.
Foreigners who marry Turkish citizens obtain certain rights regarding living in Turkey. First of all, foreigners who marry Turkish citizens can easily get a residence permit and stay in Turkey.
However, the residence permit is not automatically granted with the marriage. The foreigner or his/her proxy should apply for a residence permit after the marriage. Also, please note that a residence permit in Turkey does not grant the right to work in Turkey.
Secondly, foreigners who marry a Turkish citizen can obtain Turkish citizenship after 3 years if they meet some additional conditions. You can check out our Turkish citizenship page for detailed information.
Can Foreigners of Different Nationalities Get Married in Turkey?
Yes, two foreigners of different nationalities can get married in Turkey. This marriage must be conducted by the Turkish Marriage Offices run by local municipalities. After the wedding ceremony, the marriage offices issue “aile cüzdanı (international family book)” as proof of the marriage.
However, foreigners should also obtain an international marriage certificate to get their marriage validated in their home country.
How Can Foreigners Get Married in Turkey?
Foreigners who wish to get married in Turkey can start the marriage procedures by handing over the required documents. Then, they need to file a petition of marriage at the Turkish Marriage Offices. The petition of marriage must be filed directly by the bride and the groom.
Marriage offices determine the date of the ceremony after checking if the applicants meet the requirements for marriage and the documentation. Foreigners who get married in Turkey must obtain an international marriage certificate after the ceremony. This is required to get their marriage validated in their home country.
What Documents Do I Need to Get Married in Turkey?
Foreigners who wish to get married in Turkey must prepare some documents before filing a petition for marriage. The necessary marriage in Turkey documents are as follows;
• Health certificates taken from a state medical institution in Turkey. Reports issued by private hospitals or clinics are not accepted.
• Translated and notarized passports and/or birth certificates.
• 4 passport-size photos (Biometric photos)
• Certificate of celibacy to prove the marital status (single, divorced, or widow). This certificate must be issued by the Civil Status Register in the home country of the bride and groom.
• Accommodation document proving the duration of the stay in Turkey.
Note: Documents issued by foreign authorities must be either apostilled and/or translated by Turkish notaries.
How Long Do You Need to Be in Turkey to Get Married?
There isn’t any rule about the time period that must be spent in Turkey. However, we advise you to come to Turkey at least 10 days before the actual date. Preparing the necessary documents for application may even take longer than 10 days depending on the workload of government offices.
How Much Does it Cost to Get Married in Turkey?
The cost of getting married in Tu
rkey change depending on the nationalities of the couple and the type of ceremony. The cost of the ceremony totally depends on the couple’s desires and choices. Therefore it’s impossible to tell an approximate cost. However, you can be sure that it’s going to cost a lot less than in most countries.
The cost of marriage application is also very little. Health reports issued by state hospitals and medical institutions are free of charge. Other costs for the application are the costs of the translation and notarization of the documents.
Now you know the basics for foreigners marriage in Turkey. You can contact the consultants of Tekce Visa if you have any other questions on the topic.
