Power of Attorney for Turkey
Do You Need a Power of Attorney (POA) for Turkey?
Then please contact us. We create powers of attorney for Turkey (“Vekaletname”) according to Turkish law in both German and Turkish languages tailored to your needs.
Turkish powers of attorney are more detailed than other ones. Each authority must be specifically described in the power of attorney. If an authority is missing, the agent is not allowed to perform the desired task. Turkish powers of attorney must be notarized (at the Turkish consulate or by a foreign notary with an apostille) or certified.
Documents and Information Required for a Valid Power of Attorney in Turkey:
- Copy of ID and Turkish identification number (T.C. Kimlik Numarası / Mavi Kart Numarası) of the principal and the agent: Turkish ID card, nüfus cüzdanı, foreign ID document, Blue Card (for former Turkish citizens)
- Addresses of the principal and the agent
- Land registry extract (Tapu senedi), divorce decree, civil registry extract (Nüfus kayıt örneği)
- Other documents (old ID papers, name change certificates, etc.)
- When issuing a power of attorney at a foreign notary, you should definitely include your Turkish ID card or your “Mavi Kart” along with your foreign ID or passport (if you have Turkish citizenship).
The powers of attorney we prepare and have ready for signature will be sent to the foreign notary with whom you can then arrange an appointment to notarize the document. We work with many foreign notaries in various countries.
In the following cases, the Turkish power of attorney (vekaletname) must be accompanied by a passport photo of the principal and a notary stamp:
- Land registry matters such as purchase/sale of real estate
- Inheritance transfer
- Construction contract (e.g., Arsa Payı Karşılığı Inşaat Sözleşmesi)
- Gift transfer
- Vehicle sale
- Pre-emption agreement for real estate
- Divorce proceedings
The photos must be colored, no older than 6 months, and the entire face must be clearly visible.
For powers of attorney to be used at the land registry office in Turkey, it is mandatory that a photo is included. If the photo is missing or does not meet the requirements of the Turkish land registry office, the power of attorney cannot be used there. It is required that the power of attorney format demanded by the land registry office includes a stamp on the photo and in accordance with the text of the power of attorney.
For certain types of Turkish powers of attorney (e.g., a litigation power of attorney), a signature certification is sufficient. Others (e.g., land registry matters), however, need to be notarized. These must only be in the language of the country where they are issued. We prepare the power of attorney according to your wishes and make this document available to you and the nearest foreign notary. The foreign notary will generally not create a document according to Turkish law. In the case of signature certifications, they only certify that the provided signature was made by the named person. Some notaries refuse to attach an original photo to the document and stamp it. Such a power of attorney without a photo is not sufficient and will not be recognized or accepted by the Turkish land registry office or court.
Ultimately, powers of attorney from foreign notaries must be provided with an apostille.
Especially notarized powers of attorney from abroad encounter skepticism from institutions such as the land registry office and banks in Turkey, and often the power of attorney is not considered valid by these institutions.
Turkish power of attorney (Türk Vekaletnamesi): Contact us if you need a Turkish power of attorney (in German or English or Turkish). Notary officers of Turkish consulates have standard texts and rarely create an individual text on-site. Therefore, you can feel free to contact us to minimize the representation risks within the framework of the Turkish power of attorney.
Procedure for Creating a Power of Attorney for Turkey and Aspects to Consider
A power of attorney is an official document that grants one person (principal) the right to have another person (agent) perform specific tasks on their behalf and at their expense. Powers of attorney used for official business are notarized and thus legally binding. In these documents, the authorities of the agent are clearly defined.
Issuing a power of attorney for the purchase and sale of real estate, withdrawal of cash at the bank, and for legal and attorney matters in Turkey
In Turkey, special powers of attorney are required for land registry transactions, legal and court proceedings, bank transactions, and many other matters that are subject to strict formal requirements. These formal requirements are taken so seriously that the acceptance or rejection of a power of attorney can even vary from officer to officer in many cases.
Particularly powers of attorney that are to be used for land registry and bank transactions can present a real challenge.For issuing a power of attorney in Turkey, it is advisable to consult a lawyer who is familiar with Turkish law and can assist you in creating the necessary documents.
In which institutions can powers of attorney be created abroad?
If you want to create a power of attorney for use in Turkey abroad, you can do so at Turkish consulates or at notaries abroad, adhering to strict formal requirements.How do powers of attorney created abroad become valid in Turkey? What is required?
– The power of attorney must include precise details about the authorities granted and the duration of the power of attorney.
– In Turkey, powers of attorney intended for land registry offices, courts, banks, or other authorities must be notarized to be legally valid.
– If the power of attorney is created by a foreign notary, it must definitely be notarized or certified by the consulate and translated into Turkish.
– For a power of attorney created by a foreign notary to be used in Turkey, an apostille must be obtained from the official authorities of the issuing country.
– If the power of attorney is created in a country that is not a party to the Apostille Convention, it must be certified by the Turkish consulate.Can non-Turkish citizens create powers of attorney at Turkish consulates?
Yes, non-Turkish citizens can create powers of attorney at Turkish consulates.
Can individuals who do not speak Turkish create powers of attorney for Turkey?
Yes, if you do not speak Turkish, you can create a power of attorney at the Turkish consulate with a sworn translator registered at the consulate.
What should be considered for powers of attorney to be used in Turkey?
Powers of attorney to be used for the purchase and sale of real estate must be notarized. Also, the ID or passport used can affect the validity of the power of attorney. For example, a power of attorney created with a driver’s license will not be accepted by the land registry office.
The power of attorney must be clear and unambiguous.
For powers of attorney used for land registry transactions, a photo of the principal must be included on the power of attorney.
The power of attorney must include the complete and precise details of the principal, their address, date of birth, and all distinguishing features.Likewise, the complete and precise details of the agent must be included in the power of attorney.
For bank powers of attorney in Turkey, a photo is not required. However, strict formal requirements must be followed for bank powers of attorney. All transactions to be carried out must be precisely described. For example, a bank can refuse a power of attorney for withdrawing money if the power of attorney does not include contact details.
How much does a preventive power of attorney for Turkey cost?
This question cannot be answered unequivocally. The costs depend on the text and the authorities of the power of attorney.
Powers of attorney created at foreign notaries are more expensive due to additional procedures such as notarization, translation, and apostille compared to powers of attorney created at Turkish consulates.
If the power of attorney is created at Turkish consulates and the person does not speak Turkish, the costs increase due to the translator.“In summary, it can be said that for foreigners in Turkey, it may be necessary to grant a power of attorney for various reasons, such as managing assets, business activities, or legal matters. If you want to create a power of attorney in Turkey, it is very helpful to work with a lawyer who is familiar with Turkish law and can assist you in
creating the necessary documents.”
You can fill out the form on our website to share your inquiries with us without any obligation, or you can call us.
Power of Attorney for Turkey
13 October 2023
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