In Turkey, a noter (notary public) is a highly regulated public official appointed by the Ministry of Justice. Unlike in some countries where a notary acts as a passive witness to a signature, a Turkish noter is an integral part of the legal and administrative system. They draft, certify, and archive official documents to prevent legal disputes and give them enhanced evidentiary weight in court.Dependent on the province it may have one or several notaries (Noter).
Foreigners and citizens alike visit the notary far more often than they would in the US or UK for everyday transactions. Their primary duties include:
1. Processing Vehicle Sales and Transfers
One of the most common reasons people visit a noter is to buy or sell a second-hand car. By law, all second-hand vehicle transfers must be executed and digitally registered at a notary office to check ownership, verify taxes, and finalize the deal.
2. Issuing Powers of Attorney (Vekaletname)
If you want someone (like a lawyer, real estate agent, or relative) to act on your behalf in Turkey, you must issue an official Power of Attorney (vekaletname). The notary verifies your identity, confirms your legal capacity, and drafts the binding document.
3. Certifying Translations
Turkish government entities, universities, and migration authorities (for residence permits) rarely accept foreign documents as-is. You must first take the document to a sworn translator (yeminli tercüman) registered at that specific notary. The notary then certifies the translator’s signature, rendering the translated document legally valid for official use.
4. Document and Signature Legalization
Notaries authenticate copies of important personal documents (like passports, diplomas, and marriage certificates), issuing a certified true copy (tasdikli suret) that carries the same legal weight as the original. They also authenticate individual signatures on private contracts, corporate share transfers, or lease agreements.
5. Serving Official Legal Notices (İhtarname)
If you have a commercial or tenancy dispute (e.g., notifying a landlord or a tenant about a breach of contract), private emails or letters are often insufficient. Notaries officially draft and serve formal legal warnings (ihtarname) to the receiving party, which serves as absolute proof in future court proceedings.
6. Corporate and Inheritance Matters
Notaries manage corporate book approvals, company establishment papers, the authentication of wills (vasiyetname), and inheritance declarations.
A complete list of every Noter in Turkey can be found at the Turkish Notaries Association
Select your province from the ‘il’ drop-down box.
Important for Foreigners:
If you do not speak fluent Turkish, you are legally required to bring a certified sworn interpreter to the notary office for any transaction where you are signing or declaring intent (such as giving a power of attorney or selling a car). Notaries will also thoroughly check your passport validity and tax ID number before starting any process.
