Steps to get married in Turkey (US Citizen marrying Turk)

[ren11234 0]

I am having trouble figuring out exactly what I need to bring with me to Turkey to get married and was hoping I could find someone here who has gone through the process. We are getting married in Adana. I have spoken to the consulate in Ankara and they told me I can make an appointment for the affadavit to marry once I arrive in the city. My question is what is everything I need to bring with me from the USA to get married in Turkey. Is there anything that I can do here and prepare ahead of time? Also I have heard some people mention getting apostille for their documents but there is no mention of that on the marriage instructions provided by the US consulate in Turkey. Thank you so much for your help! 

[Allaboutwaiting 2,503]

Ask your fiance/fiancee to inquire about the specific documents the Adana office requires. 

In general you need birth certificate+translation, a certificate of no record of marriage+translation, the affidavit from the consulate+translation, ALL notarized with apostille, your passport+translation and photographs.

You can send all those documents scanned so your fiance/fiancee gets them translated or find a good translation service in the US.

Edited June 10, 2020 by Allaboutwaiting

[Ryan H 3,812]

Moved from IR-1/CR-1 Process & Procedures to MENA regional forum; topic is about marriage procedures in Turkey.

[toothpicks 38]

Don't know if you've gotten married yet or not, but this is the process I followed:

1. Make an appointment at a US embassy for notary services. I went to Ankara, but the Istanbul embassy might also handle it. You'll need to bring your birth certificate and passport, but ask if they need anything else from you. At the embassy they'll give you an affidavit. You'll have to pay a fee.
2. Take your affidavit and get it certified/stamped at the Ministry of Foreign Affairs. You can do a walk-in, no appointment needed. (But this was pre-COVID, so rules may have changed.) You'll need to pay another fee here.
3. You and your fiancee will need to do bloodwork from a local doctor. You can walk in, say you're getting married, and then they'll take your blood and in a few days give you your results. Keep them for the marriage license. 
4. Take recent photos of the both of you, I believe two each.
5. Go to your local nikah hall, they will give you a list of any further documents you may need. I don't remember exactly what they were, but they were fairly easy from then on.
6. Call to make an appointment, you'll need two Turkish citizens to be witnesses. They'll give you some gifts after the ceremony, we got a nice coffee set ☺️

Congrats on your marriage!