Notarized Translation

A notarized translation in Turkey is a sworn translation that a notary has then certified. If a Turkish office or a foreign authority has told you to bring a “notary-certified” translation, this is what it wants. It is usually required for papers handed to Turkish authorities, and it is also the first step before an apostille or consular legalization. The route is short: a sworn translator translates and signs, the notary certifies, and the finished file is ready to collect or goes out by courier.

What the notary confirms, and what not

This surprises many people. The notary confirms the translator's signature and oath record. The notary does not verify the content of the translation. The translator answers for accuracy through a signed statement that the text matches the original. Under Article 103 of the Notaries Law, the notary adds a note beneath the text. Where a sworn translator was used, that note must give the translator's identity and address, and the notary dates, signs and seals it.

The same logic applies further up the chain. Each authority confirms the signature and seal of the one before it. None of them reassesses the translation.

The translation itself, and the cases where it is enough on its own, are covered on our sworn translation page.

Step by step

1. Document and details: The file reaches us by WhatsApp, e-mail or at a branch. We note the institution and the number of copies.
2. Translation: A translator with an oath on record at the notary translates and signs.
3. At the notary: The signature and oath record are checked, the note is written and the document is sealed.
4. Binding: Multi-page files are joined and sealed together.
5. Next step or delivery: If an apostille or consular step is needed, the file continues there. Otherwise it is delivered.

The notary step depends on the notary's working hours. How long it takes varies with length, language and number of copies, and is settled in your quote.

Why not every notary can certify your translation

A notary can only certify work by a translator whose oath report is held at that notary's office. In practice, an oath report counts at the notary where the oath was taken. So taking a translation done elsewhere to a random notary will usually get you nowhere. This is the practical reason to work with an office that has sworn translators: the translation and the notary step run on the same record.

When you will be asked for one

The receiving institution sets the rule. Official sources give these examples:

• Residence permits: Papers from abroad, such as birth or marriage certificates and criminal records, need a notarized Turkish translation. For extensions, a translated and notarized copy of the passport is requested.
• Income documents: Proof of income from abroad needs a notarized copy of a Turkish translation by a sworn translator.
• Diploma recognition (YÖK): Foreign degrees and transcripts go in with a Turkish translation bearing the approval of a Turkish notary or consular mission.
• Papers for use abroad: The translation approval route set out by the Ministry of Foreign Affairs starts with a sworn translator and a notary.

Originals of foreign documents

For Turkish documents, a notarized copy can often carry the process. Foreign documents are different. According to the Ministry of Foreign Affairs, no notary in Turkey can certify a copy of a foreign authority's document as true to the original, so the original itself is required. Governorships cannot approve such a document either. Keep your foreign diploma or birth certificate safe and have the original ready.

If you do not speak Turkish at the notary

This page is about written translation. If you are signing something at a notary yourself, such as a power of attorney, the Notaries Law says a sworn interpreter must be present when you do not know Turkish. For that, see our interpretation page.

What it costs: two separate items

• Translation fee: set by the language pair, length, subject and deadline.
• Notary fee: based on the notary tariff published in the Official Gazette. Pages are counted under the rules of the Fees Law, so the notary's page count may differ from your number of sheets. The number of copies matters as well.

You will see conflicting figures online for notary fees. The tariff changes every year, so we do not print amounts here. Both items are confirmed in your quote once we see the document.

After the notary: apostille or consulate

• Use in Turkey: Notarization is often the last step.
• Use in an Apostille Convention country: The next step is an apostille from the governorship or district governorship covering the notary's area.
• Use in a non-party country: A notarial document cannot go straight to the Ministry. It needs governorship or district governorship approval first, then the Ministry, then the country's mission. See document legalization.

Several copies and the “ear seal”

If the institution wants more than one copy, say so before the notary step, because an extra copy later can mean a new procedure. In a multi-page file it must be clear that every page was approved and that no page was slipped in. The corner is folded and sealed, or the pages are tied together and sealed. In Turkish this is called kulak mührü, literally “ear seal”, and the Ministry looks for sealing that covers all pages. Do not open a sealed file or pull out the staples.

Official sources

• Notaries Law No. 1512 (in Turkish)
• Ministry of Foreign Affairs: Authentication Q&A (in Turkish)
• Turkish Embassy in Tokyo: Notice on sworn translators
• Presidency of Migration Management: Permit guidance (in Turkish)