What you Need to Know about Notary and Apostille

A notary serves as a crucial witness during the execution of documents among various parties, establishing a reliable and transparent atmosphere. In Turkey, this role is fulfilled by government-appointed lawyers tasked with validating the legitimacy of official papers. The concept of notaries can be traced back to ancient Greek times when they were commonly known as scribes. Ensuring the credibility of legal documents becomes paramount in legal transactions, underscoring the indispensability of a notary in the process.

A notary, often known as a notary public, offers a range of essential services including handling foreign drafts, protesting notes and bills exchange, administering affidavits and statutory declarations. Their involvement is imperative in scenarios such as the execution of wills, trusts, and powers of attorney. To qualify as a notary, an individual must be at least 18 years old and must reside in the country where they hold their license.

Duties of a Notary

Notaries are prohibited from denying the signing of documents on the grounds of nationality, gender, race, or religion. Furthermore, a notary is strictly prohibited from being involved in the authentication of documents in which they have a personal interest. Prior to endorsing any documents, notaries routinely request photo identification from all parties involved. They are authorized to decline authentication if there are discrepancies in the information, signs of fraud, or if there are doubts about the identity of the signing parties. In cases where everything aligns appropriately, the notary affixes their seal to the documents or their copies, affirming their role as a witness to the signings.

Where to find a Notary in Turkey

In Turkey, each district is equipped with at least one notary, and some towns and cities boast multiple notary offices. Booking an appointment is unnecessary; you can conveniently walk into a notary, obtain a queue number, and patiently wait for your turn.

Locating a notary in Turkey is a straightforward process. Simply visit the Turkey Notary Association website at https://portal.tnb.org.tr/Sayfalar/Noterbul.aspx, enter your district and neighborhood details, and a comprehensive list of notary addresses, telephone numbers, along with a map pinpointing their office locations will be presented. Your choice is then as simple as selecting the notary nearest to your location.

Notary fees in Turkey vary based on factors such as the document type, the number of pages, or the word count within the document. This user-friendly system ensures accessibility and convenience for individuals seeking notarial services in the country.

Apostille

An apostille serves as the official verification of a document intended for use in a foreign country, affirming the authenticity of a document issued by a public institution. This certification includes essential information to ensure its validity, such as:

1.    The name of the country where the document was issued.

2.    The name of the individual who signed the document.

3.    The title or position of the person who signed the document.

4.    The signature of the authority responsible for issuing the apostille.

5.    The seal or stamp affixed by the issuing authority.

6.    The unique apostille number and details of the issuing authority.

7.    The identity of the authority to which the seal on the document belongs, the location of its certification, and the date of authorization.

These comprehensive details within the apostille guarantee its legitimacy and facilitate smooth cross-border acceptance of the associated document.

Frequently apostilled documents encompass a range of vital records and legal papers such as marriage certificates, birth certificates, death certificates, divorce decrees, power of attorney documents, passport copies, and affidavits of legibility. To qualify for apostillation, these documents must undergo translation by a certified Turkish translator, ensuring that the content is accurately conveyed in compliance with legal standards. This meticulous process guarantees the international recognition and validity of the documents in question.