Cyrillic script and Latin spelling of names
Russian is written in Cyrillic, and a name’s Latin rendering varies between systems: Юлия may appear as Yulia, Yuliya or Julija. For consistency in procedures in Türkiye, the Latin spelling in the person’s foreign passport is used. Send the passport’s identity page with the document, and one spelling is used across all of that person’s documents.
Russian names include a patronymic (отчество) alongside the first name and surname. Turkish documents have no equivalent field, so the patronymic is kept where it appears in the source. Different male and female surname forms (Ivanov / Ivanova) are also rendered as written.
Which procedures use Russian documents?
Russian-speaking foreigners living in Türkiye have birth, marriage and divorce certificates and diplomas translated for residence permits, marriage to a Turkish citizen, registering a child or enrolling them in school, and bank or title deed procedures. Russian is used in documents not only from Russia but also from countries such as Kazakhstan, Kyrgyzstan and Belarus, so tell us which country issued the document.
If the source document was issued in a country that is party to the Apostille Convention, the apostille comes from that country’s competent authority and is translated too. An apostille for a foreign document cannot be obtained in Türkiye, so check whether it is already on the document before you bring it in.
Russian translation: documents and uses
| Document | Typical use |
|---|---|
| Internal passport, foreign passport, birth certificate | Residence permit, registering a child |
| Marriage and divorce certificates | Marriage procedures in Türkiye, marital status |
| Diploma and supplements | YÖK recognition, job applications |
| Power of attorney | Authorising a procedure in Türkiye from abroad |
| Company formation documents | Setting up a company or partnership in Türkiye |
Turkish into Russian
People going to work, study or set up a company in a Russian-speaking country have diplomas, transcripts, criminal records and trade registry documents translated into Russian. For documents issued in Türkiye, the apostille comes from the district governorship, governor’s office or courthouse depending on the document type. Ask in advance whether the receiving institution may want the translation re-certified in its own country.
Frequently asked questions
Where does the patronymic go in the translation?
It stays where it appears in the source document. A note can be added so it is not confused with the father’s name field in Turkish documents.
Do you translate Russian-language documents issued in Kazakhstan?
Yes. Tell us which country issued the document; the apostille and name spelling are checked against that country’s documents.
Can I get an apostille for my Russian document in Türkiye?
No. An apostille for a foreign document can only be issued by the competent authority of the country that issued it.
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.