What Is an Apostille?
An apostille is an international certification that allows an official document issued in one country to be legally recognized in another.
Introduced by the Hague Convention of 5 October 1961, the system has streamlined document exchange and reduced bureaucracy between member countries. Once apostilled, a document can be recognized in another Hague Convention country without a further diplomatic legalization chain.
Where and How Can You Obtain an Apostille?
In Turkey, apostilles are issued according to the document type by district governorates (kaymakamlık), provincial governorates (valilik), or judicial commissions at courthouses.
The process generally works as follows: a sworn translator translates the document, then a notary certifies the translation. The signed and notarized document is taken to the district governorate where the notary is registered, where an apostille is issued free of charge.
Which Documents Need an Apostille?
Education documents (diplomas and transcripts), civil registry records, marriage certificates, court decisions, powers of attorney, and company incorporation documents generally need apostille certification when they will be used abroad.