What is an Azilname (Revocation of Power of Attorney) in Türkiye?

An azilname, meaning the revocation of a power of attorney (POA), is the official document that terminates a POA previously granted to an attorney or another representative in Türkiye. Since many legal procedures and transactions require a power of attorney issued through a notary, understanding how to revoke such authority is essential.

When granting a POA, every authority given to the attorney must be explicitly written in the document. Without precise wording, the attorney may not be able to carry out certain actions later in the process. For example, a general litigation POA allows a lawyer to represent you in court but does not automatically authorize them to handle matters like opening a bank account in your name, obtaining documents from hospitals, filing a divorce, or terminating utility subscriptions. Such specific powers must be added individually.

An azilname allows the person granting the POA to revoke these powers at any time. This revocation does not require the grantor to provide a reason, but it must be executed formally through a notary in order to be valid in law.

Where is an Azilname Issued?

In Türkiye, all valid POAs and their revocations must be prepared through notaries. An azilname can only be issued by the person who originally granted the POA. Importantly, merely stating verbally that the attorney is dismissed has no legal effect. To ensure the revocation is recognized, it must be notarized and officially notified to relevant authorities or institutions.

It is worth noting that terminating the legal services contract you signed with your attorney does not automatically cancel the POA. The POA remains valid until officially revoked. Therefore, if you have ended your professional relationship with an attorney, you must also issue an azilname through a notary to formally cancel their authority.

2025 Notary Fees for an Azilname

Notary fees in Türkiye are updated annually under the law. As of 2025, the cost of issuing an azilname typically ranges between 350 TL and 500 TL, depending on the scope of the power of attorney being revoked.

Especially in cases where a lawyer’s authority needs to be terminated, an azilname prepared through a notary is necessary. Ensuring that all details are accurate and complete is crucial for a smooth legal process.

How to Revoke a Lawyer’s Authority

If you have given your attorney a POA through a notary, that authority remains valid unless it was for a limited time, or until you revoke it with an azilname, or in the event of the grantor’s death. Even if your legal dispute has concluded, or your service agreement with the attorney has ended, the POA will still remain in effect unless formally revoked.

To revoke the POA, you must go to a notary with the relevant details of the POA or the lawyer’s information. You are not required to provide a reason for the revocation, but you may do so in writing if you prefer, for future clarity. This written statement can help prevent possible legal disputes later.

In some cases, it may be necessary to revoke a POA even before a lawsuit begins, especially if trust between the client and attorney has broken down. In such situations, the azilname officially ends the POA before proceedings commence.

Sample Wording of an Azilname (2025)

Below is a sample format of how an azilname may be structured in Türkiye:

Beşiktaş … Notary Office
With the power of attorney dated 00/00/2022 and registered under record number 000000, I had appointed you as my attorney. As of today, I hereby revoke all powers previously granted to you. From this moment forward, you are no longer authorized to act on my behalf under the revoked POA. Should you have delegated any of these powers to other representatives, you are obliged to revoke their authority as well. Any actions contrary to this will be your sole responsibility. I also request that you return any original POA documents in your possession to me immediately.

Conclusion

An azilname, or revocation of power of attorney, is an essential legal tool in Türkiye, ensuring that a POA can be revoked at any time by the grantor. Because each word in a POA is legally significant, carefully drafting both the original power of attorney and any subsequent azilname is vital. If you are a foreigner in Türkiye and need assistance with granting or revoking a POA, our law firm, Bayraktar Attorneys, is ready to assist you with notarization, preparation, and official notification processes.