Marriage Registration in Turkey for Turkish Citizens Married in the U.S.

In recent years, a growing number of Turkish citizens have chosen to marry in the United States, often via state-authorized online marriage procedures introduced during the COVID-19 pandemic. However, a significant challenge has emerged: the Turkish civil registration system frequently refuses to recognize U.S.-issued marriage certificates, citing concerns over the validity of such online-initiated unions. This bureaucratic deadlock has left many couples in limbo, unable to register their marriage in Turkey.

At Bayraktar Attorneys, we understand how frustrating and time-consuming this process can be—especially for individuals juggling professional responsibilities and personal obligations. That’s why we’ve developed a streamlined legal service that allows Turkish citizens to finalize the registration of their U.S.-based marriages in Turkiye—without setting foot in the U.S. again and without disrupting their daily lives.

Why Are U.S. Marriage Certificates Being Rejected in Turkiye?

The Turkish Civil Registry offices often reject marriage certificates issued by U.S. states, especially those processed online or remotely. Despite being legally binding in the U.S., these certificates are sometimes categorized as informal or lacking the necessary in-person verification under Turkish civil standards. This creates a legal inconsistency that prevents Turkish citizens from registering their marriage domestically.

Our Turnkey Solution: Full Legal Representation Without Travel

Thanks to our experience in international family law and our strong coordination with U.S.-based Turkish missions such as the Turkish Consulate General in New York, we can act on behalf of our clients to complete the entire marriage registration process remotely. Our legal team:

1. Collects and prepares all required documents,
2. Submits notarized and apostilled copies when necessary,
3. Communicates directly with the Turkish Consulate and relevant local authorities in the U.S.,
4. Ensures that the marriage is properly registered in the Turkish civil registry.

All of this is handled without requiring our clients to travel to the U.S. or spend hours coordinating paperwork.

What Documents Are Normally Required for Marriage Registration?

According to the Turkish Consulate in New York, marriage registration applications (known as “evlilik tescili”) typically require the following:

1. An application form and petition addressed to the consulate,
2. Original U.S. “Marriage Certificate” (not a “Marriage Record”) and one copy,
3. Sworn translated and notarized copy of the marriage certificate, if not originally in Turkish,
4. Original Turkish ID cards of both spouses and copies (or, if one spouse is a foreign national, the foreign spouse’s birth certificate and passport, along with their translations and notarizations),
5. Proof of termination of any prior marriages, if applicable,
6. “Previous Surname Retention Form”, if a Turkish woman wishes to retain her maiden name,
7. For mail submissions: a pre-paid envelope with tracking for document returns.

Additional requirements apply to documents not in Turkish or English, which must be accompanied by notarized translations.

Why Work with Bayraktar Attorneys?

1. No travel required – We manage the entire process from Turkey.
2. Full representation – We act on your behalf before U.S. and Turkish authorities.
3. Time-saving – No consulate visits, no bureaucratic stress.
4. Legally compliant – We ensure full compatibility with both Turkish and U.S. requirements.

Also read; How to register foreign marrige in Turkiye

Contact Us Today

If your marriage certificate from the U.S. has been rejected in Turkey—or if you're planning to marry abroad and want to avoid future legal complications—reach out to Bayraktar Attorneys today. We are here to simplify international legal processes and provide you with peace of mind.