What are Apostille Procedures in Turkey? How is it done?

What is Apostille? Apostille Procedures in Turkey

Apostille is an official approval system that allows a document to be legally used in another country by certifying its authenticity and the accuracy of its content. Established by the October 6, 1961 Hague Convention, this system is only valid between party or member countries. In Turkey, apostille procedures are quite common especially for student documents and provide great convenience in areas such as university applications and visa procedures. Details of the Convention are available on the Hague Conference official website.

Where to Obtain Apostille in Turkey

Apostille procedures in Turkey are carried out at District Governorships and Governorships. Consulates usually approve documents for Turkish citizens abroad; however, local District Governorships are authorized for apostille procedures within Turkey. Especially for student documents, it is usually necessary to apply to the district governorship or provincial governorship of the district of residence. Apostille procedures in Turkey are quite fast and can usually be completed within the same day.

---

Apostille Procedures at the Consulate and District Governorship

The most frequently asked question for those who want to have their student documents apostilled in Turkey is how the process will be carried out in which institution. The consulate and the district governorship play different roles in this process.

Consulate Apostille Procedures and Required Documents

If you are a student in a country other than Turkey or if you want to obtain an apostille abroad, you can apply to the relevant consulate in Turkey. Consulates usually perform apostille or attestation procedures for official documents in that country to be used in Turkey. Passport, copy of ID and the original document are required at the time of application. Consulate procedures can take some time, so it is better to apply early.

Kaymakamlik Apostille Fees and Process

The most common place for student documents in Turkey is the District Governorship or Governor’s Office. The original and a photocopy of the document, as well as a photocopy of the identity card, are submitted for apostille. As of 2025, there is no fixed fee for apostille procedures at District Governorships, i.e. the procedures are free of charge. However, some documents (e.g. documents requiring notarization) may require prior notarization, which may mean an additional fee. After the documents are examined, an apostille annotation is added and the process is completed. Apostille is usually delivered on the same day.

The Ministry of Foreign Affairs Revenue Administration announced that the certification fee for the year 2025 is approximately 19.31 USD per document. The fee is charged separately per document and is usually collected against a receipt or a receipt. The latest announcements on the subject can be found on the Ministry of Foreign Affairs’ official website.

---

Apostille Procedures Abroad and Admission to Turkey

What if you want to have your student certificate apostilled outside Turkey? In this case, both the consulate and the authorized institution in the host country come into play. If the document issued in a foreign country is to be used in Turkey, it must bear an apostille annotation.

How is the Apostille Process Performed?

First, the original and a photocopy of the document are submitted to the competent authority (e.g. the governor’s office or the ministry of justice of that country) for apostille. The document is examined by the competent authority and after the authenticity of the document is confirmed, an apostille annotation is added. The apostille annotation is usually attached to the back of the document or as a separate page.

Here is a sample table:

Apostil Steps	Details
1. Application	Application is made with original + photocopy of the document.
2. Review	The document is reviewed by the competent authority.
3. Approval	The authenticity and content of the document is approved.
4. Apostille	An apostille annotation is added to the document.

Apostille and Certification for University Documents in Turkey

It is very important to apostille diplomas and transcripts, especially for university applications. When applying to a university in Turkey, be sure to check the apostille annotation to ensure the international validity of your document. Otherwise, you may have problems with your university registration.

---

How to Apostille a Student Document

• Original document
• A photocopy of the document
• Copy of ID or passport

You can start the apostille process by applying to the District Governorship or Governorship with these documents. The apostille is usually delivered the same day or the next day. Thanks to the apostille, your student document gains legal validity in countries that are parties to the Hague Conference.

The Results of the Apostille Process

After the apostille process is completed, the student document officially becomes internationally valid. In other words, a student certificate obtained in Turkey is considered legal and official in other Hague Conference member countries. Using this document, you can proceed smoothly in many areas such as visa applications, university applications or scholarship procedures.

---

Apostille Process Considerations

Although the Apostille process may seem simple, if you do not pay attention to some critical points, you may lose time and your application may be rejected. Here are the most common mistakes and solutions:

Frequent Mistakes and Solution Suggestions

Many students or parents submit photocopies or digital printouts of their documents to the district governor’s office. However, the original document must be presented for the apostille process. In addition, forgetting a photocopy of your ID or bringing the wrong document also prolongs the process. Make sure your documents are complete and accurate before submitting them.

Tips for Apostille and Attestation

Before submitting your document to the District Governorate or Governorate, check that it is dated, signed and stamped. For incomplete or unsigned documents, you may need to get approval from the relevant authority first. Also, don’t forget to take documents that require notarization to a notary first and have them notarized.

---

Have Your Documents Apostilled Easily!

If you are planning to study abroad or applying for a student visa, do not wait any longer to have your documents apostilled! You can quickly process your documents free of charge at the district governorship or governor’s office, and you can easily complete your transactions at the consulates. Act now, prepare your documents and make them valid in all member countries of the Hague Conference!

Frequently Asked Questions

How to get an apostille in Turkey

Apostille certification is carried out by Governorships (Provincial Directorates of Legal Affairs) or Districts depending on the type of document. For judicial or administrative documents, Judicial Justice Commission Presidencies are authorized.

How much does Apostille cost?

The apostille process is not subject to any fees or fees in accordance with the Fees Law. Therefore, you do not pay a fee for apostille certification.

Is notarization required for an apostille?

Apostille is applied to the original or a duly certified copy of a document. Which documents can be directly apostilled is determined by the Governor’s Office or the Presidency of the Justice Commission; generally, official documents do not require additional notarization.

Can you get an apostille from e-government?

E-Devlet can be used to verify certain documents (e.g., criminal records, student certificates), but physical apostille certification (signature and seal) requires in person or by proxy to authorized institutions.