Marriage of Americans in Turkey

**Mavi** Wed Mar 19, 2008 8:02 pm

GETTING MARRIED

Turkish Marriage Procedure For Americans

All marriages in Turkey must be performed under the authority of the Turkish Civil Code to be legally recognized. Religious ceremonies are not legally recognized.
Please be advised that no marriage ceremonies are performed at the U.S. Embassy or Consulates in Turkey. U.S. military personnel are reminded that they may have to obtain the approval of their commanding officers before marrying.

Women who have been previously married may not remarry within 300 days of the final date of divorce or the death of her husband. This waiting period can only be waived with a Turkish court decree.

A medical examination is required in order to marry. The examination may be performed in designated medical clinics determined by the Turkish Bureau of Marriages. Each marriage bureau will use different clinics for these tests.

You will need to contact the marriage bureau of your choice for the addresses of these clinics. A report of medical examination includes applicant's blood type and results of blood tests for HIV, Hepatitis B & C, and Syphilis and indicates that the applicant has no contagious diseases.

INSTRUCTIONS
1. Obtain an Affidavit of Eligibility to Marry from the American Consulate, Consular Section. You will need to present your passport or birth certificate and ID Card, if military. If you have been married previously, you must also submit an original or a certified copy of your divorce decree. The fee for notarizing the affidavit of eligibility to marry is $30.00. U.S. Government employees and military members employed under the Chief of Mission and their dependents are exempt from this fee.
2. The Turkish government requires authentication of the American Consular Officer's signature. Any Monday through Friday between 09:00-12:00 and 14:00-15:30, except holidays, take the notarized Affidavit of Eligibility to Marry together with a copy to Istanbul Governor's Office (Istanbul Valiliği). The Governor's Office is located at Ankara Caddesi, Cağagloğlu Tel: (212) 520-7066 or (212) 514-1750. The fee for this service is 16 YTL (as of Jan 1, 2007) payable in Turkish Yeni Lira (subject to change).
3. Make three copies of both sides of this affidavit (after it has been stamped by the Governor's Officer) and one copy of the data and photo pages of your passport or ID card, if military. (They are required in the marriage bureau).
4. Each person will need to have five photographs, front view, 2x2 inches in size.
5. Each Mayoral District has a marriage bureau. Learn which district your residence falls and pick up a "Marriage Declaration" form (Evlenme Beyannamesi), from the Marriage Bureau.

Below are selected Marriage Bureaus in Istanbul:

Beyoglu: Taksim, 243 2295
Besiktas: Ciragan Cad. Besiktas, 260 6497
Sisli: Abidei Hurriyet Cad. Yeni Adliye Binasi, 248 1069
Eminonu: Sarachane Mevkii, Eminonu ,520 2992
Fatih: Sarachane Mevkii ,526 2142
Uskudar: Dogancilar Cad., Bostan Sok. No:2, 333 0438
Bakirkoy: Sahilyolu, Bakirkoy, 572 4686
Beykoz: Gumussuyu IETT Duragi, Beykoz, 331 0113
Kadikoy: Sogutlucesme Tren Istasyonu Karsisi, 418 4893

Attached is an English language translation of the marriage declaration form for reference only. Answers must be recorded on the Turkish language form in Turkish. Each person should complete two original copies of this form in ink. After affixing the pictures, the marriage declaration must be certified by a district alderman (muhtar).

When completing the marriage declaration be careful not to make any errant marks. Neatly cross out any mistakes and initial next to the correction.
Be sure to note your prior marital history -- single, widowed or divorced. If widowed or divorced state the exact date of the termination of the marriage including day, month and year. (Women must obtain a Turkish court Decree of Waiver to be eligible to re-marry within 300 days after the termination of a prior marriage.)
The applicant’s date of birth should be written as day, month, and year.
6. Two letter-sized envelopes and postage stamps should be brought during the application.
7. Depending on your answers, the marriage official may require additional steps to be taken. For instance, if you stated that you need your future spouse to undergo a medical examination, you may be referred to a health institution for this purpose. In this case, an appointment for the wedding may be set for after the examination.
8. As of January 1, 2007, the fee for the marriage at the marriage bureaus;
without ceremony - 42YTL;
with ceremony Monday through Friday before 17:00 p.m. - 112 YTL
with ceremony Monday through Friday after 17:00 p.m. - 127 YTL
with ceremony Saturday and Sunday before 17:00 p.m. – 252 YTL
with ceremony Saturday and Sunday after 17:00 p.m. – 302 YTL
If the marriage officer performs the marriage ceremony elsewhere the fee is 252 YTL (within the Cankaya Municipality limits) and 352 YTL (out of Cankaya Municipality limits). All fees are subject to change.
9. Two witnesses who are not your close relatives must attend the marriage ceremony. If your Turkish is limited, an interpreter/translator will be required to assist you in understanding and responding to the marriage officer's questions. A witness may NOT simultaneously act as an interpreter. Marriage ceremonies will not be performed within 48 hours of submitting your documents to the marriage bureau.
10. Children under the age of 19 old must obtain permission from parents or custodians before they can marry. Names should be written on the marriage declaration and should be certified by the alderman or a notary public. If one parent is deceased, a death certificate from the Birth Registration Office should be brought. Children under the age of 16 must bring a court decree to be eligible to marry.
11. If you would like to use your maiden name together with your married name you should complete two original copies of application forms available from the Marriage Bureau at the time of your initial registration. Good luck.

Information courtesy of US Consulate