Texas Records as Evidence in a Turkish Court

A Texas record used as evidence in a Turkish court needs certification before it counts as an official document in Türkiye. Under HMK Article 224/1, an official document prepared by foreign state authorities has that status in Türkiye if it is certified by the competent authority of the issuing state or by the relevant Turkish consular authority. The provision does not distinguish between document types. HMK Article 224/2 reserves the provisions of international agreements to which Türkiye is a party on the certification of foreign official documents.

Getting the Texas apostille

For Texas records, the competent authority is the Texas Secretary of State. It issues a "universal Apostille", which operates as an apostille for Apostille Convention countries. It accepts the original Texas-issued document, a Texas-issued certified copy, or an original Texas notarized document. The route depends on the document family.

Birth and death certificates, marriage licenses or applications and divorce decrees are recordable documents. For these, submit the original Texas-issued document or a Texas-issued certified copy.

A non-recordable document notarized by a Texas notary public goes directly to the Secretary of State. It must include a typed or written statement from the issuer or signer that summarizes its contents and intent. That person's signature on the statement must be properly notarized. The Secretary of State's texts state no county clerk step for these documents.

Copies of school transcripts and diplomas are treated as non-recordable documents that must be notarized. The Secretary of State refers to separate instructions for them. Certified copies of business organization documents on file with the Secretary of State, such as certificates of formation, can receive an apostille. Copies of other business or corporation documents must be properly notarized.

You can request the apostille in person at the main office or by mail. In person, walk-in service runs on Mondays and Fridays, appointments on Tuesday to Thursday, and bulk drop-off is available.

Filing in the Turkish court

A party relying on a document written in a foreign language must submit its translation to the court as well. The court may ask for an official translation, on its own initiative or at the other party's request. Parties must submit all documents they rely on as evidence and hold. Where only a copy is filed, the court may ask for the original.

A Texas divorce decree or other court judgment raises a further point. A foreign judgment's effect as conclusive evidence runs from the moment the foreign decision became final (MÖHUK Article 59/1). Its acceptance as conclusive evidence depends on the court determining that the enforcement conditions are met (MÖHUK Article 58/1).

In criminal proceedings, CMK Article 202/1 covers oral interpretation at the hearing. A court-appointed interpreter translates the essential points of the charges and defense when the defendant or victim does not speak enough Turkish. The quoted criminal procedure texts do not settle how a foreign official document must be translated. Confirm this with the criminal court hearing the case. The court that receives the document decides whether it is accepted.