Apostille and Consular Certification

For an official document issued in one country to be recognised in another, a chain of certification is required. Between countries party to the 1961 Hague Convention, this chain is completed with a single apostille. For countries that are not party to the convention, the consular legalisation route is followed.

Which authority issues the apostille depends on the type of document: courthouses are competent for judicial documents, and governorships and district governorships for administrative ones. At BKT we determine which chain your document falls under, set the sequence correctly and carry out the translation and certification steps together.

Who is it for?

• Those preparing Turkish documents for use abroad
• Foreigners using a document from abroad in Türkiye
• Those preparing citizenship, marriage and equivalence files
• Businesses setting up a company or signing a contract abroad
• Those going abroad to study or work
• Those sending documents for inheritance and power of attorney matters

Required documents

The list below is for a typical case. Additional documents may be requested depending on your nationality, the type of application and the practice of the relevant authority; the definitive list is given to you in writing at the initial consultation.

• The original of the document to be apostilled or legalised
• The country where the document will be used
• Details of the issuing institution (to distinguish judicial from administrative)
• A power of attorney, if the matter is handled by a representative
• Sworn translation, where required

The process step by step

1. 1

   Identifying the chain

   We establish whether the country where the document will be used is party to the Hague Convention.

2. 2

   Competent authority

   The authority that will issue the apostille is identified according to the type of document.

3. 3

   Sequence plan

   We plan the order in which the translation, notarial certification and apostille will be carried out.

4. 4

   Process follow-up

   The apostille is obtained, or the consular legalisation process is carried out.

5. 5

   Delivery

   The document is delivered with the certification chain complete.

Common mistakes

• Starting the process without stating the country where the document will be used
• Trying to obtain the apostille after the translation
• Applying to an administrative authority for a judicial document
• Settling for an apostille in a country that requires consular legalisation
• Assuming an apostille can be obtained on a photocopy