Before the wedding: certificate of capacity to marry
Turkish citizens marrying abroad are usually asked for a document showing there is no impediment to marriage. In Türkiye this is the certificate of capacity to marry (evlenme ehliyetnamesi) from the civil registry office. Foreign nationals marrying in Türkiye submit a similar document from their own country, their birth certificate and passport, with translations, to the marriage office.
The marriage office or consulate decides which documents are needed and whether the translations must be notarized. Getting the list first and translating all documents in one go makes it easier to spell names the same way throughout.
After the wedding: marriage certificate and registration
To register a marriage concluded abroad in the Turkish civil registry, an apostilled or certified copy of the foreign marriage certificate and its Turkish translation may be required. A marriage concluded in Türkiye is shown by the family booklet and civil registry records; for use abroad, a multilingual formula B extract or a translated civil registry record may be requested.
A marriage certificate may show the spouses’ surnames before and after marriage, witnesses’ names, and the place and authority of the marriage. If a surname changed, both forms are kept in the translation.
Marriage documents and their uses
| Document | Typical use |
|---|---|
| Certificate of capacity to marry (Turkish) | A Turkish citizen marrying abroad |
| Foreign national’s certificate of no impediment | Marrying a foreign national in Türkiye |
| Foreign marriage certificate | Registering the marriage in Türkiye, family residence |
| Formula B, family booklet, civil registry record | Family reunification and spouse visas abroad |
| Divorce decree | Showing a previous marriage has ended before remarrying |
Related language pages
Marriage documents are most often translated from and into German, Dutch, English, Russian. Our apostille and translation guide explains when a document needs an apostille.
Frequently asked questions
Are a certificate of capacity to marry and a single-status certificate the same?
In everyday use both refer to a document showing there is no impediment to marriage. In Türkiye the civil registry issues the certificate of capacity to marry; the institution abroad says which document it wants.
How do I register my foreign marriage in Türkiye?
Usually through the consulate or a civil registry office. An apostilled marriage certificate and its Turkish translation may be required; get the current list from the relevant authority.
If my surname changed on marriage, which one is used?
All surnames that appear in the document are translated. Tell us the current surname in your passport so we use it consistently in your other documents.
This guide is for general information. Confirm the document and certification requirements for your application with the relevant institution, and include the current list of requirements in your translation request.