Sending a US document to Turkiye? Start with the apostille.

Sending a US birth certificate, marriage certificate or notarized document to Turkiye? In most cases the first step is an apostille, and it matters which office issues it. Both the US and Turkiye are parties to the Hague Apostille Convention. State documents go to the issuing state (generally the Secretary of State), federal documents to the US Department of State. An apostille confirms the signature and seal, but it does not translate the document.

1. 01

   The basics

   Both countries use the apostille.

   The US (since 1981) and Turkiye (since 1985) are both parties to the Hague Apostille Convention. Between them, a public document generally needs an apostille, not consular legalization.

2. 02

   In the US · state documents

   Most documents go to the state.

   Birth and marriage certificates and notarized documents are apostilled by the competent authority of the state that issued them, generally the Secretary of State.

3. 03

   In the US · federal documents

   Federal documents go to Washington.

   Documents signed by federal officials are apostilled by the US Department of State. It does not apostille state-issued documents.

4. 04

   Notarized documents

   Sometimes there is a step in between.

   In some states, a county clerk first certifies the notary's commission. Then the state issues the apostille.

5. 05

   What it does not do

   An apostille is not a translation.

   It confirms the signature and seal on the document. Turkish offices usually ask for a Turkish translation as well, often by a sworn translator and notarized.

6. 06

   The other direction

   Turkish documents for use in the US.

   In Turkiye, governors' and district governors' offices apostille administrative documents. Court documents are apostilled by the justice commission presidencies.