In today’s global economy, many foreign nationals and companies doing business with Türkiye seek assurance before transferring funds to a Turkish recipient. Whether it’s a private individual or a registered company, verifying the legal and financial reliability of the counterparty is essential to minimize the risk of fraud, non-performance, or legal complications.
At Bayraktar Attorneys, we provide detailed legal background checks on individuals and companies in Türkiye before any payment is made. In this blog, we explain why this process is important, how we carry it out, and what kind of risks you can avoid through a proper legal investigation.
Why Is Legal Due Diligence Before Payment Important?
Whether you're transferring funds for investment, service fees, or goods procurement, any money transfer carries legal risk. Even registered companies in Türkiye may have legal issues, tax debts, or enforcement files that put your money at risk.
Some common risks when funds are transferred without prior investigation:
Fraud: The recipient becomes unreachable after the transfer.
Non-existent Companies: Some entities present false documentation or impersonate real businesses.
Bankruptcy or Insolvency: The recipient may be in bankruptcy proceedings.
Outstanding Tax or Social Security Debts: A company’s failure to meet legal obligations signals poor reliability.
Criminal or Civil Lawsuits: The recipient may have ongoing legal disputes or criminal charges.
A comprehensive legal review minimizes these risks and offers transparency before you take financial action.
What Information Is Included in a Legal Background Check?
Our due diligence process includes several key elements depending on whether the recipient is a company or an individual:
1. Trade Registry Records (For Companies)
We access Türkiye’s Trade Registry Gazette to confirm the company’s legal status, incorporation date, shareholders, scope of activities, and updates such as address or director changes.
2. Tax and Social Security Status
We review public databases to check whether the company has unpaid tax or SGK (social security) liabilities — a key indicator of financial health.
3. Enforcement and Bankruptcy Filings
We investigate whether the company or individual is listed in Türkiye’s enforcement courts (İcra İflas Mahkemeleri), which deal with debt collection, bankruptcy, or asset seizures.
4. Criminal and Civil Court Records
For individuals or company directors, we check for any criminal charges, fraud allegations, or civil lawsuits.
5. On-site Review and Reference Checks (Optional)
In higher-value transactions, we can conduct field investigations such as office visits, neighbor interviews, or partner reference checks to verify physical presence and commercial activity.
Can Individuals Also Be Legally Checked?
Yes. We can also conduct due diligence on individuals in Türkiye. This is particularly useful when dealing with:
Private consultants
Real estate brokers
Local agents
Freelancers or advisors handling large sums
Our checks can include:
Criminal background (via legal representation)
Enforcement files or debt collection records
Property ownership records (limited access)
Court filings and legal disputes
Reference inquiries
How Long Does the Process Take?
A basic legal background check on a company in Türkiye can be completed within 1 to 3 business days. More extensive reviews — including site visits or notarized document verification — may take 5 to 7 business days. For individuals, the process usually takes 2 to 4 business days, depending on the data requested.
What Will the Final Legal Report Include?
At Bayraktar Attorneys, we provide a detailed report containing:
Legal verification of the company or individual
Tax and SGK compliance status
Active or historic enforcement or bankruptcy files
Summary of court disputes or criminal records
Evaluation of trustworthiness and legal risk level
Protective recommendations before transferring funds
Upon request, the report can include notarized documentation, translations, and photo evidence from field visits.
Legal Due Diligence Is Your First Line of Protection in Türkiye
Unlike many Western countries where payment defaults are rare and commercial trust is high, in Türkiye, contract breaches and delayed payments are more frequent — and often culturally tolerated. Many people and businesses delay payment until legal enforcement is initiated.
By conducting legal due diligence before sending any money, you protect yourself from these risks. A legal investigation is not just a precaution — it is your first step to doing business safely and confidently in Türkiye.
Let us be your eyes and ears in Türkiye before any funds are sent. Contact Bayraktar Attorneys for full legal verification and peace of mind.
