Which Documents Are Able to Be Apostilled?

In international legal and administrative processes, one of the most important tools for document authentication is the Apostille. The Apostille allows public documents issued in one country to be recognized in another, eliminating the need for embassy or consular certification. This process is governed by the Hague Convention of 5 October 1961, which Türkiye has been a party to since 1985.

In this blog, we will explain which documents are eligible for apostille, how the apostille process works in Türkiye, which authorities are responsible, and which documents are excluded—all from a practical legal perspective for foreign individuals and companies working with Bayraktar Attorneys.

What Is an Apostille?

An Apostille is a special certification affixed to documents to confirm their authenticity, enabling them to be legally recognized in another country that is also a party to the Hague Apostille Convention.

The title of every Apostille must include the phrase:
“Apostille (Convention de La Haye du 5 Octobre 1961)” in French.

What Are the Components of an Apostille?

Each Apostille contains the following information:

• Country where the document was issued

• Name of the person signing the document

• Capacity of the person who signed the document

• Name of the authority whose seal/stamp appears on the document

• Place of issuance

• Date of issuance

• Name of the authority issuing the apostille

• Apostille registration number

• Stamp or seal of the issuing authority

• Signature of the official who issued the apostille

Countries Where the Apostille Is Valid

As of today, over 120 countries are parties to the Hague Apostille Convention, including most EU countries, the United States, the United Kingdom, and Türkiye. You can check the up-to-date list and find out which authorities are competent in each country at the following link:
👉 https://www.hcch.net/en/instruments/conventions/authorities1/?cid=41

Apostille-Eligible Documents Under Turkish Law

According to both the Convention and Turkish practice, the following types of documents can be apostilled:

A) Judicial Documents:

• Documents issued by courts

• Documents issued by prosecutors or judicial clerks

• Court decisions

• Power of attorneys prepared by a court authority

B) Administrative Documents:

• Certificates and official documents issued by ministries, governorates, or district governorates

• Official school diplomas or transcripts

• Work permits and residence permit certificates issued by public authorities

C) Notarial Documents:

• Documents notarized by Turkish notaries

• Copies of official documents certified by notaries

• Notarized translations

D) Private Documents with Notarial Authentication:

• Privately prepared agreements and declarations that are notarized

• Signature declarations

Documents That Cannot Be Apostilled

The Apostille Convention does not apply to the following:

1. Documents issued by diplomatic or consular officials

2. Documents directly related to customs or commercial operations, such as export declarations or invoices

3. Documents to be used in countries that are not partiesto the Hague Apostille Convention

Apostille Authorities in Türkiye

The competent authorities in Türkiye for issuing apostilles are:

For Administrative Documents:

• Governorships (Valilik)

• District Governorates (Kaymakamlık)

For Judicial Documents:

• Presidencies of Judicial Commissions in Courthouses(only in cities where there is a High Criminal Court - “Ağır Ceza Mahkemesi”)

Examples from Our Legal Practice at Bayraktar Attorneys

1. University Exam Results & Diplomas

A student who sat the Turkish university entrance exam (ÖSYM) and wishes to apply abroad must:

• Have the ÖSYM result and high school diploma translatedby a sworn translator

• Notarizethe translations

• Apostillethe notarized documents at the Governor’s Office

2. T.C. Identity Card (Kimlik)

To be apostilled, the Turkish ID must be:

• Notarizedby a notary public
  Without notarization, apostille is not possible.

3. Company Documents for International Use

A Turkish company planning to open a branch abroad needs:

• The articles of associationor registration gazetteto be translated, notarized, and then apostilledfor use abroad.

Legal Validity of Apostilled Documents

As per Article 3 of the Convention, no further legalization (such as consular verification) is required once a document has been apostilled. This streamlines international procedures and significantly reduces bureaucracy.

Under Turkish law, this means that a document apostilled by a competent Turkish authority can be directly submitted in another country party to the Convention, and vice versa.

Final Remarks

At Bayraktar Attorneys, we frequently assist clients, both individuals and companies, with the apostille process. From university transcripts to notarized power of attorneys and commercial documents, our team ensures that your documents are properly authenticated and ready for international use.

If you are unsure whether your document can be apostilled, or if you need our assistance with translation, notarization, or obtaining the apostille, do not hesitate to contact our team.