You can get married just about anywhere in Turkey. Hotel, beach, baloon or yacht; provided it isn’t a religious site or place of cultural heritage. However you may be able to acquire a permit subject to a fee, for the use of certain historical sites.

Civil Ceremony

Only Civil Ceremonies are legally recognised in Turkey. They will normally be performed by the local Registrar and last approximately 5 to 10 minutes. The ceremony will be conducted in Turkish. If neither marrying parties can speak Turkish you should arrange for an interpreter to be present throughout the ceremony. For a list of recognised local Turkish interpreters contact your country's Embassy in Turkey. If you are using a wedding planner, they may offer to organise an interpreter to be present for a fee.

Religious Ceremony

Religious ceremony of any denomination can be performed ONLY once a Civil Ceremony has been performed. A Religious Ceremony alone is not legally binding. Optionally, couples may prefer to have the Religious Ceremony in their home countries first, and then arrive to Turkey for the celebrations.

Witnesses

You will need two witnesses to be present during the wedding ceremony, both of whom are not immediate family members.

Residency Stay

There is no minimum residency stay required for getting married in Turkey. However you should allow between 3-4 days to complete all the necessary paperwork, depending on where you wish to get married in Turkey.

Certificate of No Impediment

First both marrying parties must obtain a Certificate of No Impediment from their local Register Office in their home countries. Please ensure you have with you your Basic Documentation on making your application. This takes approximately 21 days, during which time banns will be published in the register officer. Provided there is no problems arising you will be given a Certificate of No Impediment. You must then send off the certificate to your country's Consulate General based in Istanbul, or the Embassy in Ankara, with regards to marrying in Turkey so that your Certificate of No Impediment can be translated into Turkish.

The Certificate of No Impediment along with other relevant paperwork will need to be legalised by the Minister of Foreign Affairs in the local Governor Office in Turkey. Contact the Consulate of Embassy for further information.

Medical Examination

You will be required under Turkish Civil Law, to have a medical examination if you intend to get marry. The medical examination will be subject to a fee, which must be paid in Turkish Lira. You may be also be asked to take a blood test depending on which region of Turkey you wish to marry.

Many wedding planners offer to help with the formal legalities as part of their wedding package including helping to make arrangements for your medical examination.

Basic Documentation

If you intend to marry in Turkey you will need the following documentation:

• A full birth certificate
• A valid passport
• A valid tourist visa to enter Turkey. This can be obtained at the port of entry in to Turkey, for a fee
• If divorced, a Decree of Absolute
• If widowed a spouses death certificate, previous marriage certificate
• Written consent from your parents or guardians (if either of you are under 18 years of age).
• If you have changed your name by Deed Poll or you were adapted, proof of this needs to be presented

Marriage Certificate

Once the ceremony has been performed you will be issued with a Marriage Certificate and a marriage book.

Depositing you Marriage Certificate

You can contact the nearest Turkish Consulate or Embassy to make arrangement to have your marriage certificate translated into English and legalised. The document can then be forwarded to the General Registrar Office in your home country.

Whilst every effort to ensure that the above information is correct, it may be subject to change at any time. Please always check with the official authorities before proceeding.