Tuesday, May 24, 2011

Legality of Marriage in Turkey

The marriage of UK and Irish citizens conducted in Turkey is legally binding under UK and Irish law.
This is also the case for citizens from most other countries wishing to marry in Turkey.
Residency Requirements
There are no minimum residency requirements, providing that you obtain a Certificate of No Impediment from the relevant authority in your country of residence.
If you have not obtained this document then you will be required to be resident in Turkey for 21 days prior to applying for a Certificate of No Impediment, and a further 21 days for the relevant documentation to be issued. Therefore, you will need to allow a minimum of 42 days from the time you apply for the necessary documentation to the day of your wedding ceremony.
Required Documentation
All documentation must be original or certified copies, and your Certificate of No Impediment must not be older than 6 months.
Certificate of No Impediment, not issued more than three months prior to the wedding day.
Full ten year passport with minimum validity of six months.
Full Birth Certificate.
Passport
8 passport sized recent colour photographs.
If you are divorced - a Decree Absolute
If you have changed your name - Deed Poll
If you are adopted - Adoption Certificate.
If you are under 18 - letter of consent from a parent or guardian.
Marriage Application
You will need to obtain a Certificate of No Impediment, which is the document required by the Turkish Authorities for the marriage to take place. This can be obtained as follows:

UK Citizens - Certificate of No Impediment
To obtain a Certificate of No Impediment this is done by Giving Notice (publishing the Banns) at your local registry office no more than six months before your wedding date. 23 days after you have given notice the registry office will release a Certificate of No Impediment.

Irish Citizens - Certificate of Freedom to marry
Complete a statutory declaration called a "Certificate de coutume".
Complete an MP2A form and have it signed by authorised signatory.
Note: Although the English certificates of No Impediment don't have an expiry date as such, I would advise placing your applications approximately three months prior to visiting the Consulate in Turkey.
Scottish Certificates of No Impediment are only valid for three months after the date of issue.

Marriage Procedure
Foreign nationals wishing to marry in Turkey need to visit their nearest Consulate in person once they are in Turkey to make an application to initiate the formalities.
The Certificate of No Impediment and certificate of identity and nationality need to be obtained from the relevant consulate and authenticated by the local Governor office in Turkey.
The marriage application needs to be made in person at the local marriage office in order to give notice of marriage, submit the certificates, complete necessary forms and fix a date for the marriage ceremony.
Solemnization of marriage (if the marrying parties do not speak Turkish, they are advised to arrange for an interpreter to be present during the ceremony).
2 Witnesses must be present at marriage ceremony (Please note that immediate family members cannot be witnesses).
Notice needs to be given to your relevant consulate to have your marriage registered in your country of residence.

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