REQUIREMENTS FOR BRITISH NATIONALS

(taken from the document produced by the British Embassy, Ankara on 01.04.07)

Formal documentation is required by the United Kingdom and Turkish authorities if you wish to marry in Turkey.

Preparing for marriage whilst resident in the UK:
If you are a British National, residing in the UK and preparing for marriage in Turkey, then the easiest method is to obtain a Certificate of Non Impediment which can be obtained from the local Registrar of Births, Deaths and Marriages in your hometown, BEFORE travelling to Turkey. This document takes 3 weeks to process. It is a declaration that you know of no impediment/reason why you cannot marry.

After arrival in Turkey:
It is very important that all necessary, legal paperwork is completed BEFORE arranging your wedding date with the local Belediye (Council). It is illegal in Turkey, and punishable by a fine, to have the religious ceremony BEFORE completing the legal paperwork.
You can apply for the legal paperwork to : -
- British Consulate General in Istanbul or Izmir
- British Vice Consulate, Antalya
- British Embassy, Ankara
You will need to take with you : -
- Certificate of Non Impediment (from the UK if you have already obtained one) (please see below if you need to apply for one in Turkey)
- your Passport/formal identification
- your fiancé in person/your fiancé’s Passport or formal identification
- your original FULL Birth Certificate (not the short version usually provided as a copy)
- if you are divorced, take your Decree Absolute
- if you are widowed, take your spouse’s Death Certificate
You will also be asked whether you have a wedding date in mind but of course it is not recommended that you formally book this date with the Belediye (Council) until all the paperwork has been completed.

How to obtain a Certificate of Non Impediment in Turkey:
You must have been resident in Turkey for 21 days. After expiry of this period, when making application for a Certificate of Non Impediment at a British Consulate in Turkey, please ensure that you take the above documentation with you.
Your Certificate of Non Impediment will need to be translated into Turkish. You will also be required to make a further sworn Declaration as to your current status i.e. single/divorced/widowed, and that you are free to marry.
Please note that a Certificate of Non Impediment issued by the Registrar in Scotland is only valid for 3 months from its issue date and should be presented to a Consulate before its expiry date.
A Certificate of Non Impediment issued by a Registrar in England does not have a validity restriction.

Marriage documentation procedure:
Once your application has been made, a notice of your intention to marry will then be posted in the Consulate/Embassy premises for 21 days (equivalent to displaying the “banns” - a procedure during which time anyone can view the notice to marry at the Consulate/Embassy, and subject to having a valid reason for doing so, can lodge an objection to the marriage). After this 21-day period has expired, you should return to the Consulate/Embassy. If you have applied for a Certificate of Non Impediment in Turkey, the Turkish translation will be given to you. Again you will be asked to make a Declaration confirming your eligibility to marry.
All documentation must be legalised by the Turkish Authorities i.e. Ministry of Foreign Affairs in Ankara, or the Governor in Izmir, Antalya or Istanbul. The Consulate/Embassy staff will explain where to go and what to do.
Once all the documentation is in order, you are free to book your Wedding Day with the Belediye (Council).

Fees:
Notice of Marriage £59.00
Declaration £50.00
Certificate of Non Impediment £59.00
Passport Translation £42.00
All fees are payable in Turkish Lira at the current Consular Rate of Exchange

Additional Information:
1. At the time of printing, it is understood that it was no longer a legal requirement for divorced women to wait 300 days from the date of their Decree Absolute before marrying in Turkey. WIT is currently checking the legal position.
2. It is no longer necessary to undergo a medical examination, pre-marriage, at a State hospital in Turkey
3. Where blood tests are required, these can be obtained at the Saglik Ocagi (opposite the Belediye (Council) building), Didim - not at the Devlet (State) Hospital.
4. If you wish to register your marriage in Turkey, with the General Register Office in the UK, the following documents are required : -
- Copy of your Passport
- Copy of your husband’s Passport/identification
- Turkish Marriage Certificate
- fee of £34.00

(28.03.2008)