Junior Rasmussen
Are Religious Weddings Legal in Turkey?
Turkey is a country with a rich cultural and religious history. While it may be a desirable location for a wedding, it's important to understand the legal requirements for marriage in the country. So, are religious weddings legally recognised in Turkey?
| Characteristics | Values |
|---|---|
| Type of marriage recognised in Turkey | Civil marriage |
| Religious weddings recognised by the State | No |
| Religious weddings allowed after a civil marriage | Yes |
| Requirements for foreigners to marry in Turkey | Marriage license, passport, birth certificate, health certificate, photos, certificate of capacity to marry, accommodation document |
| Requirements for marriage between a Turkish national and a foreigner or two foreigners with different nationalities | Conducted by competent Turkish authorities |
| Requirements for marriage between two foreigners of the same nationality | Conducted by their country's embassy or consulate, or Turkish marriage offices |
| Requirements for marriage by Turkish authorities | Document from the authorities in your country attesting eligibility for marriage |
| Requirements for marriage involving a minor | Written consent of a legal representative with a certified signature |
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What You'll Learn
Only civil marriages are legally recognised in Turkey
Turkey is a popular destination for weddings abroad, but it's important to understand the legal requirements for marriage in the country. Only civil marriages are legally recognised in Turkey, as outlined in the Turkish Civil Code. This means that a religious ceremony has no legal standing in Turkey unless it is followed by an official civil ceremony.
For couples wishing to marry in Turkey, there are several requirements that must be met. Both parties must provide a passport and/or birth certificate, translated into Turkish by relevant authorities, such as the Turkish Embassy or a certified notary. A health certificate from a state medical institution in Turkey, called a "Saglik Ocagi" or "Devlet Hastanesi", is also necessary, and private medical reports will not be accepted. Additionally, six passport-sized photos of each party are required, along with a Certificate of Capacity to Marry (Certificate of Celibacy), which must be obtained from the Civil Status Register of their own country and translated into Turkish. If one or both parties are foreign nationals, they must obtain a document from their country of origin attesting to their eligibility for marriage, such as a marriage license or a statement from their embassy or consulate in Turkey. This is a crucial step to ensure that the marriage is recognised by both Turkish and home country authorities.
In the case of two foreigners with different nationalities wishing to marry in Turkey, the marriage must be conducted by a Turkish official. They can do so either in the offices of their respective embassies or consulates or in the Turkish Marriage Offices run by local municipalities. It is worth noting that not all embassies and consulates will perform marriages, so it is essential to check with the relevant authorities beforehand.
For couples where one party is Turkish and the other is not, the marriage must also be conducted by a Turkish official. In addition to the documents mentioned above, the foreign national must provide a document from their country of origin attesting to their eligibility for marriage. This can be a marriage license or a statement from the embassy or consulate in Turkey.
While religious ceremonies are not legally recognised in Turkey, couples are free to have any religious ceremony they wish as long as it is followed by the civil ceremony. This ensures that the marriage is legally valid and that the legal rights of both spouses and any children are secured and guaranteed.
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$3.14
Religious ceremonies may only take place after a legal civil marriage
In Turkey, only civil marriages are legally recognised by the state, as outlined in the Turkish Civil Code. This means that a religious ceremony has no legal standing in Turkey unless it is preceded by a civil marriage.
If you are planning a religious ceremony in Turkey, it is important to be aware of this requirement and to ensure that the civil marriage takes place first. The civil marriage can be conducted by Turkish authorities or by your country's embassy or consulate officials, depending on your nationality. For example, if you are a foreigner marrying a Turkish national, your marriage must be conducted by a Turkish official. In this case, you will need to obtain a document from your country's authorities attesting to your eligibility for marriage, such as a marriage license or a statement called "Evlenme Ehliyet Belgesi" from the embassy or consulate.
It is also important to note that the legal requirements and necessary documentation can vary depending on your nationality. It is recommended to use a professional wedding planner in Turkey to help navigate the process and ensure that all legalities are properly handled. They can help with the paperwork and act on your behalf, ensuring that your marriage is legally recognised.
Additionally, there are specific documents that are generally required for a civil marriage in Turkey, such as a passport and/or birth certificate, a health certificate, passport-size photos, and a Certificate of Capacity to Marry (Certificate of Celibacy). These documents may need to be translated into Turkish and notarized. If both partners are foreigners, a letter from the hotel confirming their accommodation may also be required.
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Requirements for foreigners marrying in Turkey
Only civil marriages are legally recognised in Turkey, so a civil ceremony is required before any religious ceremony can take place. If you are a foreigner and want to marry in Turkey, the process will vary depending on your nationality, but there are some general requirements that apply to all.
Firstly, you must obtain a document from the authorities in your own country attesting to your eligibility for marriage, such as a marriage license or a statement (Evlenme Ehliyet Belgesi) from your country's diplomatic officers. If you are a UK citizen, this will be an Affidavit for Marriage, which is valid for six months and must be legalised with an apostille before travelling to Turkey. If you are a US citizen, you will need to fill out an Affidavit of Eligibility to Marry form and have it notarized by the U.S. Embassy or its Consulates which has power in your marriage province.
Secondly, you must prove that you are not already married. This can be done by providing a Certificate of Capacity to Marry (Certificate of Celibacy) from the Civil Status Register of your own country, which should be certified by the Turkish Consulate or Embassy and translated into Turkish.
Thirdly, you must provide a health certificate from a State medical institution in Turkey, as well as six passport-sized photos of both the bride and groom.
It is important to note that ceremonies are conducted in Turkish, so if either party does not speak Turkish, a certified translator must be present. It is also recommended to arrive in Turkey at least three working days before the wedding to allow time for any necessary medical exams.
Finally, navigating legalities in a foreign country can be complex, so it is advisable to hire a local wedding planner to help manage the process and ensure that all documentation is correctly submitted and lodged on time.
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Requirements for Turkish citizens marrying in Turkey
Only civil marriages are legally recognised in Turkey. Religious ceremonies may only take place after a legal civil marriage. If you are a Turkish citizen marrying a foreigner, or if two foreigners of different nationalities are marrying, the marriage must be conducted by a Turkish official.
If one person is Turkish and the other is not, or if both parties are from different countries, the foreign national(s) must obtain a document from the relevant authorities in their country attesting to their eligibility for marriage. This can be a marriage license or a statement (Evlenme Ehliyet Belgesi) from embassy or consular authorities resident in Turkey. The marriage must be performed under the authority of the Turkish Civil Code to be legally recognised.
For Turkish citizens marrying other Turkish citizens, the requirements are as follows:
- The bride and groom must file a petition for marriage ("Evlenme Beyannamesi") at the Municipality in person.
- Both parties must provide a passport and/or birth certificate, translated into Turkish by relevant authorities (either the Turkish Embassy in the country of origin or a certified notary in Turkey).
- Both parties must obtain a health certificate from a State medical institution in Turkey ("Saglik Ocagi" or "Devlet Hastanesi"). Reports from private hospitals or clinics will not be accepted.
- Six passport-sized photos of the bride and groom are required.
- Both parties must provide a Certificate of Capacity to Marry (Certificate of Celibacy), which states if the person is single, divorced, or widowed. This must be obtained from the Civil Status Register in their country of origin.
- If either party does not speak Turkish, a certified translator must be present at the ceremony.
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The history of marriage law in Turkey
- Civil Marriages: In Turkey, only official civil marriages are legally recognized, as defined by the Turkish Civil Code. This means that marriages must be conducted by civil officials or marriage officers at municipal Marriage Departments. Religious ceremonies may be held but only after the legal civil marriage takes place. This ensures that the marriage is legally valid and internationally recognized.
- Legal Age of Marriage: In Turkey, the legal age of marriage is set at 18 years old. However, there are exceptions for minors. With parental or legal guardian consent, 17-year-olds can marry, and 16-year-olds can marry with both parental consent and a court decision. These age requirements are in place to protect against child abuse, and any unofficial marriage involving a child is considered a criminal offence.
- Consent and Capacity: Turkish law requires written consent from a legal representative with a certified signature for marriages involving minors or individuals with limited capacity. Additionally, only those with the mental capacity to make decisions are allowed to marry, and mental illness may be a barrier to marriage.
- Prohibited Marriages: Turkey has specific regulations prohibiting certain types of marriages. Marriage between close relatives is forbidden, including siblings, uncles/aunts and nephews/nieces, parents and their adopted children, and individuals with a former spouse. To remarry, any previous marriage must be legally terminated.
- Recognition of Foreign Marriages: Turkey recognizes the civil status of asylum seekers, refugees, and stateless persons acquired in their country of origin. In some cases, religious marriages conducted in the country of origin may also be recognized if they are considered official marriages in that country. This recognition is important for individuals seeking divorce procedures in Turkey, as Turkish legislation applies to these cases.
- Same-Sex Marriage: As of the information available in 2015, same-sex marriage is not recognized in Turkey. However, there is growing support for it, with a 2015 Ipsos survey indicating that 27% of the population supports the legalization of same-sex marriage.
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Frequently asked questions
No, only civil marriages are legally recognised in Turkey. Religious ceremonies may only take place after a legal civil marriage.
A civil marriage is a legal and binding marriage that is conducted by a state representative. In Turkey, this involves the bride and groom swearing vows before two witnesses and a representative of the state who registers the union.
In the 1920s, the Turkish Parliament outlawed certain practices permitted under Islamic law, including polygamy and repudiation. As a result, civil marriages were introduced to regulate the country in line with the civil rights of modern countries.
Foreigners can have a religious wedding in Turkey, but only after a civil marriage has taken place. The civil marriage can be conducted by the Turkish authorities or by the couple's country's embassy or consulate officials.
