How to Check If a Lawyer Is Real in Türkiye Using the Bar Association Register (Baro Levhası)

When you’re hiring a lawyer in Türkiye, one of the most important things is making sure that the person you’re dealing with is a licensed and registered attorney. Fortunately, Türkiye has a transparent system that makes this easy: Baro Levhası, the online registry of lawyers.

In this blog, we explain what Baro Levhası is, why it matters, and how you can check a lawyer’s credentials, using the Istanbul Bar Association website as an example.

What Is Baro Levhası?

In Türkiye, every lawyer must be a registered member of the local bar association (baro) in the province where they practice. Each province has its own bar (for example, the Istanbul Bar, Ankara Bar, İzmir Bar), and these are all part of the Union of Turkish Bar Associations (Türkiye Barolar Birliği, TBB).

The Baro Levhası is the official online listing of lawyers maintained by each provincial bar. It is publicly accessible and allows anyone to search and verify if a lawyer is truly licensed, active, and authorized to practice law.

Why Should You Check the Baro Levhası?

Unfortunately, like in many countries, there are people in Türkiye who claim to be lawyers without actually holding a license. Working with someone who is not a licensed attorney can put you at serious legal and financial risk.

By checking the Baro Levhası, you can:

• Confirm that the lawyer is real and authorized

• See if they are currently active

• Get information such as their attorney ID number, registration date, and office details

• Avoid falling victim to fraud or misrepresentation

Example: Checking a Lawyer on the Istanbul Bar Association Website

Let’s walk through an example using the Istanbul Bar Association, which is Türkiye’s largest local bar.

👉 Website: https://www.istanbulbarosu.org.tr/barolevhasi.aspx

Step-by-step guide:

1️⃣ Go to the website
Open the Istanbul Bar’s Baro Levhası page.

2️⃣ Search by Name or Attorney ID
You can search by:

• Lawyer’s name

• Lawyer’s surname

• Lawyer’s attorney ID number

You don’t need to fill in all fields — just one is enough to search.

3️⃣ Review the Results
The search will show:

• Lawyer’s full name

• Attorney ID number

• Registration date

• Office address

• Phone number

• Current registration status

This information is public and official.

Also Read; Why are lawyers in Türkiye not allowed to establish corporate law firms

What If the Lawyer Is Registered in Another City?

If the lawyer you want to check is not registered in Istanbul, you should visit the Baro Levhası page of their local bar. Each provincial bar has its own online search page.

Alternatively, you can check the Türkiye Barolar Birliği (Union of Turkish Bar Associations) website, which provides centralized access to lawyer information across Türkiye.

Important Tips

✅ Only trust lawyers who appear on the Baro Levhası.
If someone claims they are a lawyer but you cannot find them in the registry, this is a serious red flag.

✅ Double-check contact details.
Make sure the lawyer’s office address and phone number match what they gave you.

✅ Be cautious with anyone asking for payment without an official attorney agreement.
Licensed lawyers are bound by strict ethical and legal rules.

Final Thoughts

Türkiye’s legal system is built on transparency, and the Baro Levhası is one of the best tools for verifying the identity and legitimacy of an attorney.

Whether you are hiring a lawyer for a real estate transaction, citizenship application, court representation, or any other legal matter, take a few minutes to check them in the official bar registry.

At Bayraktar Attorneys, we encourage all clients to conduct this simple check—not only with us but with any legal service provider they consider working with.

If you have any questions or need help verifying a lawyer in Türkiye, feel free to reach out to us.