Foreign Documents at a Turkish Notary

Many Turkish authorities ask for a translation approved by a notary. What that means is set out in the Turkish Notaries Act and its implementing regulation, which treat translation as one of a notary's own functions.

The certified translation

The Notaries Act lists translating documents from one language into another among the tasks of notaries. The regulation defines the translation procedure as the translation of documents from one language into another and their approval by the notary. When a translation is made, the notary adds an endorsement below the text. If a sworn translator was used, the endorsement must state the translator's identity and address, and the notary dates, signs and seals it. If a translation cannot be done at a notary in the place where the person is, it can be arranged through that notary at a notary elsewhere.

The notary must be satisfied, without any doubt, that the translator knows the language correctly, for example by seeing a diploma or other documents. The notary has the translator take an oath under the rules of civil procedure and records it in a written record; a notary may not have a translation done by someone without such an oath record on file.

Copies of foreign papers and signing

If a copy is requested of a paper written in a foreign language, the paper is first translated; copies are then made and the translation is attached to each, with an endorsement. Translated copies are added both to the copy given to the person and to the one kept at the notary's office.

When a person taking part in a notarial act does not know Turkish, a sworn interpreter is also present, and the interpreter's oath is administered by the notary.

Our translators in Ankara are sworn before a Turkish notary, and their translations are approved by the notary in line with these rules.