Notarization Requirements
"When is notarization required for legal documents in Turkey?"
Quick Answer
In Turkey, notarization is commonly required for powers of attorney and certain corporate and commercial filings. Real estate transfers are completed at the Land Registry, while some real estate commitments and company share transfers may require notarized form. Foreign documents generally need apostille or consular legalization, plus notarized Turkish translation.
Legal Framework in Turkey
Notarization requirements in Turkey are primarily governed by the Notary Law No. 1512 and the relevant special legislation that imposes form requirements (for example, rules on powers of attorney, certain company filings, and specific transaction types). In practice, whether a document must be notarized depends on the transaction, the authority it will be submitted to, and any statutory “formal validity” requirement.
Key Points to Remember
- Powers of attorney are commonly issued at a Turkish notary (or Turkish consulate abroad) for use before public authorities
- Real estate title transfers are completed at the Land Registry, but some real estate commitments (such as a promise to sell) may require notarial form
- Certain corporate matters and filings may require notarized signatures or notarized documents depending on the transaction and registry practice
- Some transactions have strict statutory form requirements (for example, limited liability company share transfers typically require written form with notarized signatures)
- Foreign documents generally require apostille (if applicable) or consular legalization, and a notarized Turkish translation for use in Turkey
Practical Use and Common Pitfalls
In cross-border matters, the main issues are document form, authentication, and translation. Even where notarization is not strictly mandatory, parties may choose notarization to strengthen evidentiary value or to meet a bank, registry, or authority requirement.
For foreign-origin documents, plan for timing: apostille or consular legalization, sworn translation into Turkish, and notarization of the translation are frequently required before submission to Turkish authorities.
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