Turkey Citizenship Requirements

Turkey citizenship requirements are the first considerations of those who want to acquire citizenship. In order to acquire Turkish citizenship, foremost, the Turkey citizenship requirements must be completed, after submitting the necessary documents, an application must be made and the process must be started.

In the process of acquiring Turkish citizenship, Turkey citizenship requirements should be carefully followed and all of these requirements should be met. Otherwise, the citizenship application may be cancelled.

Foreigners who want to apply for Turkish citizenship can start the process by fulfilling the citizenship Turkey requirements and making an application. You can find detailed information on how to apply for Turkish citizenship in our article titled “Apply for Turkish Citizenship“.

In this article, we will make a detailed review of the Turkey citizenship requirements. We will discuss the requirements separately for each acquisition ways of Turkish citizenship. If you want to get detailed information about Turkey citizenship requirements, stay with us and keep reading.

Turkey Citizenship Requirements – by Birth

According to the Turkish Citizenship Law, one of the ways to acquire Turkish citizenship is by birth. A distinction should be made in terms of acquisition through birth. Citizenship Turkey requirements should be determined according to this distinction. Turkish citizenship is acquired by birth, on the basis of lineage and on the basis of place of birth.

On the Basis of Lineage:

There are requirements for the acquisition of Turkish citizenship on the basis of lineage. According to the law, if the child was born in wedlock, the parents must be Turkish citizens. If the child was born out wedlock, the child whose mother is Turkish acquires Turkish citizenship directly. If the father is Turkish, the recognition procedure is required for the establishment of paternity. Thus, the child acquires Turkish citizenship.

The documents requirements for Turkish citizenship by birth on the basis of lineage are as follows:

  • Application form,
  • 2 biometric photographs,
  • Document proving that one of the parents is a foreign citizen
  • Signed statements of the applicant’s parents,
  • Notarized Turkish translation of the duly certified birth certificate,
  • Birth certificate based on birth certificate

On the Basis of Place of Birth:

There are Turkey citizenship requirements to acquire Turkish citizenship by birth on the basis of place of birth. The parents of the child born in Turkey may not be detected. The child may be born stateless. The child may not have acquired citizenship in accordance with national laws.

The documents required for the acquisition of Turkish citizenship by birth on the basis of place of birth are as follows:

  • Application Form
  • 2 biometric photos,
  • Birth certificate that will prove that the person was born in Turkey,
  • Birth certificate to be issued based on the birth certificate
  • Notarized Turkish translation of the document proving that the child has not acquired the citizenship of any state due to his/her parents.

Turkey Citizenship Requirements – by General Acquisition Way

The most common way for the subsequent acquisition of Turkish citizenship is general acquisition with the decision of the competent authority. There are Turkey citizenship requirements for this acquisition way.

  • The person applying for Turkish citizenship must be at the age of maturity possessing and has the distinguishing power
  • The person applying for Turkish citizenship must have resided in Turkey for five years.
  • The person applying for Turkish citizenship should not have a disease that creates danger to the health of the society.
  • The person applying for Turkish citizenship should show that he has good morals, should give confidence to his environment with his behaviors, and should not have bad habits that are contrary to the values of the society.
  • The person applying for Turkish citizenship must be able to speak Turkish.
  • The person applying for Turkish citizenship must have an income or a profession in Turkey to provide for himself and his dependents.
  • The person applying for Turkish citizenship should not pose a threat to national security and public order.

The document requirements for Turkish citizenship general acquisition way are as follows:

  • Application Form,
  • 2 biometric photographs,
  • Passport or similar document showing which state the person is a citizen of,
  • Identity document of the person and, if married, a document proving the family ties of the spouse and children,
  • Marital status certificate,
  • Health report,
  • Work permit, tax plate, undertaking or similar document proving his income or profession,
  • Proof of having resided in Turkey for five consecutive years, backwards from the date of application,
  • A residence permit for a period of time sufficient to finalize the citizenship procedures from the date of application,
  • If there is a finalized court decision about any crime, a certified copy,
  • Service fee receipt.

Turkey Citizenship Requirements – Exceptionally

According to article 12 of the Turkish citizenship law, there are some Turkey citizenship requirements in an exceptional way. According to the article, the person who wants to acquire citizenship must bring social, economic, sports, cultural and facilities to the country. Or, must be a foreigner holding a residence permit or a turquoise card. Or, must be a foreigner being received into citizenship is deemed to be necessary. Or the applicant must be an immigrant.

The documents requirements for Turkish citizenship exceptional acquisition way are as follows:

  • Application Form,
  • 2 biometric photographs,
  • Passport or similar document showing which state the person is a citizen of,
  • Marital status certificate,
  • Document showing the identity information of the person and, if married, a document proving the family ties of the spouse and children,
  • If the person’s date of birth does not have a month and day, a document obtained from the competent authorities of the country to complete the date of birth,
  • Service fee receipt.

Turkish Citizenship Requirements – Re acquiring Turkish Citizenship Based on Residence Conditions

In this acquisition way, there are some Turkey citizenship requirements for the acquisition of Turkish citizenship. The applicant must have registered Turkish citizenship as a result of the exercise of his right to choose. Besides, applicants must provide that they do not create a threat to national security and that they have resided in Turkey for three years.

The documents required for the re-acquiring Turkish Citizenship Based on Residence Conditions are as follows:

  • Application Form,
  • 2 biometric photographs,
  • Document showing the citizenship of the person
  • Marital status certificate.
  • Document regarding the changes in marital status, if any, after the person lost Turkish citizenship.
  • If married, a document showing the family ties of the spouse and children
  • If there has been a change in the identity information of the person after losing Turkish citizenship, a document showing this.
  • Document showing that applicant has been residing in Turkey for three years without interruption, and a residence permit for a period of time sufficient to finalize the citizenship procedures.
  • Receipt of service fee.

Turkey Citizenship Requirements – by Marriage

There are also some Turkey citizenship requirements regarding the acquisition of Turkish citizenship through marriage. The applicant must marry a Turkish citizen. The marriage must last for three years. The marriage must be in progress at the time of application. Spouses should live in family unity. Spouses should not act in a way that would contradict the marriage. The acquisition of citizenship should not pose a threat to public order and national security.

The documents required for the acquisition of Turkish citizenship marriage are as follows:

  • Application Form,
  • 2 biometric photographs,
  • Notarized Turkish translation of the document showing which state he is a citizen of,
  • Notarized Turkish translation of the document showing all identity information,
  • If the place of residence is located in Turkey, the most recent residence permit,
  • If there is a final court decision about any crime, a copy of it,
  • Service fee receipt.

Turkey Citizenship Requirements – by Adoption

In order to acquire Turkish citizenship by adoption, the adopted person must be under the age of 18. The acquisition of citizenship should not pose a threat to public order and national security. The person who meets the Turkey citizenship requirements can apply for Turkish citizenship through adoption.

The document requirements for Turkish citizenship by adoption are as follows:

  • Application form stating the request of the adopter or parent or guardian
  • 2 biometric photographs,
  • Notarized Turkish translation of the birth certificate,
  • Birth certificate based on birth certificate,
  • Service fee receipt.

Turkey Citizenship Requirements – Citizens of the Turkish Republic of Northern Cyprus

In this way, a distinction should be made in terms of people who acquire Turkish citizenship. The only Turkey citizenship requirement for Northern Cyprus Turkish Citizens that acquire citizenship by birth is to just make a written statement. Those who acquire TRNC citizenship after birth are subject to general acquisition requirements.

The document requirements for Turkish citizenship by Citizens of the Turkish Republic of Northern Cyprus are as follows:

  • Application Form,
  • 2 biometric photographs,
  • Document showing that he acquired the citizenship of the Turkish Republic of Northern Cyprus by birth,
  • Marital status document,
  • Document proving the identity and family ties of the spouse, if married, and minor children, if any.

Turkey Citizenship Requirements – with the Right of Choice

The Turkey citizenship requirements for acquiring Turkish citizenship through the exercise of the right to choose are as follows: the person applying for citizenship must have lost their citizenship by using the leave of absence, or they must have lost their citizenship depending on their parents. These persons must exercise their rights within three years from age of maturity.

The documents required for the acquisition of Turkish citizenship by right to choice are as follows:

  • Application Form,
  • 2 biometric photographs,
  • Notarized Turkish translation of the document proving the state citizenship acquired after the loss of Turkish citizenship,
  • Notarized Turkish translation of the marital status document,
  • Receipt of service fee.

Conclusion

First of all, in order to acquire Turkish citizenship, citizenship Turkey requirements which we have explained in detail above, must be fulfilled. After fulfilling the Turkey citizenship requirements, an application must be made. After the application is made, certain procedures must be followed. For detailed information about apply for Turkish citizenship, you can check our article on the subject.

After all these step-by-step procedures are fulfilled, Turkish citizenship can be acquired with the decision of the competent authority.

As Topo law firm, we have been providing legal consultancy to our foreign clients in their Turkish citizenship acquisition process since 2015. If you want to get information and consultancy about the requirements of Turkish citizenship and other issues, you can contact our team who are experts in their fields.

FAQ About Turkey Citizenship Requirements

1. How can I become a citizen of Turkey?

You can acquire Turkish citizenship by choosing the most suitable way for you to acquire Turkish citizenship, by doing the necessary procedures. Don’t forget to check out our articles on various ways to acquire Turkish citizenship!

2. Does Turkey give nationality?

The Republic of Turkey gives foreigners the opportunity to acquire citizenship after birth.

3. Can I buy Turkey citizenship?

You can acquire Turkish citizenship by fulfilling the Turkey citizenship requirements and by investing in Turkey. You can read our article titled “Turkey Citizenship by Investment”, to get detailed information on this subject.