Turkish Citizenship by Marriage
Legal Assessment of the Three-Year Marriage Requirement and the Application Process
Marrying a Turkish citizen does not directly confer Turkish citizenship. However, foreign nationals who have been married to a Turkish citizen for at least three years and whose marriage continues may apply for Turkish citizenship by marriage, provided that they also meet the other requirements set out in the law.
The three-year period alone is not sufficient. Living in marital union, not engaging in any activity incompatible with the marital union, and the absence of any obstacle in terms of national security or public order are assessed together. Citizenship by marriage does not require having resided in Türkiye for a certain period.
Canaydın Law Firm provides legal services in preparing the citizenship file, and in following the interview and the application, by reviewing the length of the marriage and the population records, the marital union, judicial and administrative risks, and the required documents.
- Assessment of Application Eligibility
- Review of the Marriage and Marital Union
Who Can Apply for Turkish Citizenship by Marriage?
01 — Those Married to a Turkish Citizen for at Least Three Years
Foreign nationals who have been married to a Turkish citizen for at least three years and whose marriage continues on the date of application may apply for Turkish citizenship by marriage. Completion of the three-year period is the basic requirement for the right to apply, but on its own it does not result in the acquisition of citizenship. The genuineness of the marriage and the other requirements set out in the law are also examined.
02 — Those Who Married Abroad
Marriages to a Turkish citizen contracted abroad and valid under Turkish law may also form the basis of a citizenship application by marriage. Before the application, the registration of the marriage in the Turkish population records should be checked. The apostille, certification and translation procedures for marriage and identity documents obtained from a foreign country are assessed separately.
03 — Applying in Türkiye and Abroad
Citizenship by marriage does not require having resided in Türkiye for a certain period. Persons living abroad may submit their applications to the competent Turkish diplomatic missions, provided that they meet the requirements. If the application is made from within Türkiye, a document showing the applicant's valid legal stay status must be submitted with the file. This does not mean that there is a separate residence period requirement for citizenship.
The Three-Year Marriage Requirement and the Review of the Marital Union
For an application for Turkish citizenship by marriage, the marriage must have continued for at least three years on the date of application.
Under Article 16 of Turkish Citizenship Law No. 5901, living in marital union, not engaging in any activity incompatible with the marital union, and the absence of any obstacle in terms of national security or public order are required.
Three years of marriage does not mean automatic citizenship. In practical terms, this means:
- The start date of the marriage and whether it continues on the date of application
- Whether the spouses live in marital union
- Whether the marriage is a genuine marriage
- The interview statements given by the spouses separately and together
- The marital union and security investigation carried out by the police
- The applicant's criminal record and any pending proceedings
- The suitability of identity and marital status documents obtained from a foreign country
Completion of the three-year marriage period is only one of the basic conditions for the application. The genuineness of the marriage, the marital union and the other requirements set out in the law are also examined. Meeting the required conditions does not give a person an absolute right to acquire citizenship.
Basic Requirements for Citizenship by Marriage
In addition to the three-year marriage period, the applicant must also meet the following requirements:
- Having been married to a Turkish citizen for at least three years, and the marriage continuing
- Living in marital union
- Not engaging in any activity incompatible with the marital union
- Not being in a situation that would constitute an obstacle in terms of national security and public order
- Not being in a situation that would prevent the application from being processed
- Submitting the information and documents required for the application in full
- Correctly notifying the file of any changes in marital and family circumstances during the application
What We Do for You
Review of the Three-Year Period and the Marriage Record
The start date of the marriage, whether it continues, and whether it has been correctly entered in the Turkish population records are reviewed.
Marital Union and Application Risk Analysis
The marital union, living together, and any legal or administrative risks that may affect the application are reviewed before the application.
Check of Marriages Abroad and Their Registration
The registration status in Türkiye of marriages contracted abroad, and the suitability of foreign country documents for the application, are checked.
Assessment of the Judicial and Administrative Situation
Pending proceedings, final court decisions and other administrative matters that may affect the application are assessed in light of the specific file.
Document, Apostille and Translation Procedures
Birth certificates, passports, marital status records and other foreign documents are reviewed; the required apostille or consular certification, translation and notary procedures are coordinated.
Interview and Commission Preparation
Information is provided about the interview process that may be conducted with the spouses separately and together, and preparation is provided specific to the file.
Application and File Follow-Up
The citizenship file is prepared; the application, police investigation, commission, requests for additional documents and subsequent administrative stages are followed.
How the Process Works
- 01
Review of the Length of the Marriage and the Population Record
It is checked whether the marriage has continued for at least three years and whether the marriage record is correctly entered in the Turkish population system.
- 02
Application Requirements and Risk Analysis
The marital union, criminal record, pending proceedings, and matters that may affect the file in terms of public order or security are assessed.
- 03
Preparation of the Document Plan
The required documents are identified according to the applicant's nationality, the country in which the marriage took place and the place of application.
- 04
Preparation of the Citizenship File
The application form, passport, birth certificate, the document showing legal stay status if the application is made from within Türkiye, and the other required documents are prepared in accordance with the citizenship file.
- 05
Citizenship Application
Those whose place of residence is in Türkiye apply to the relevant governorship; those abroad apply to the competent Turkish diplomatic mission.
- 06
Police and Security Investigation
For applications made in Türkiye, an investigation is carried out regarding the marital union, activities incompatible with the marriage, and national security or public order.
- 07
Commission and Interview Process
The foreign applicant and their Turkish citizen spouse may be interviewed separately and together in order to assess the genuineness of the marriage.
- 08
Ministry Assessment
After the review, investigation and interview stages, the citizenship file is assessed by the competent authority.
- 09
Post-Citizenship Procedures
Once the application is approved, the population registration, Turkish identity card and passport procedures follow.
Death of the Turkish Spouse and the Situation of Children
If the marriage ends after the application because of the death of the Turkish citizen spouse, the requirement of living in marital union is not sought under the Law. The situation must be notified to the file.
The citizenship status of minor children is assessed separately according to custody, the consent of the other parent, and whether the children are processed together with the applicant.
Do You Have a Pending Application for Citizenship by Marriage?
In pending files for citizenship by marriage, follow-up can be carried out by reviewing the current stage, the police investigation, the commission, requests for additional documents and other administrative procedures.
Has Your Citizenship Application Been Rejected or Left Unresolved for a Long Time?
If an application is rejected, remains unresolved for a long time, or there is another administrative dispute, the grounds for rejection and the file are reviewed and the administrative and judicial remedies that may be pursued are assessed.
Explore Citizenship Refusal, Delay and Administrative Lawsuit Procedures