Eligibility quiz
Had you been married to a Turkish citizen for at least three years when you applied, or have you been if you haven't applied yet?
Benefits
Benefits for youBenefits for you
Turkish passport and ID
Turkish citizens can hold an identity card and apply for an ordinary Turkish passport.
Live in Turkey for life
Turkish citizenship lets you enter, live in and return to Turkey without a visa or residence permit.
Citizenship does not expire or need renewing.
Study in Turkey
Turkish citizens can study in Turkish schools and universities, subject to each institution’s admission rules.
Work in Turkey
Turkish citizens can work in Turkey without a foreigner’s work permit.
The usual rules for a particular job or profession still apply.
Get help abroad
Turkish embassies and consulates can help in emergencies, contact relatives and speak with local authorities.
If your passport is lost or stolen, they can provide a temporary passport for your return to Turkey.
Vote and run for office
Turkish citizens aged 18 or over can vote, stand for office and take part in politics, with some restrictions.
Some cannot vote, including military students, conscripted privates and corporals, people in prison for intentional offences and people legally unable to make decisions.
If registered to vote abroad, citizens can vote in presidential and parliamentary elections and referendums, but not local elections.
Use public healthcare
Turkish citizens living in Turkey are generally covered by public health insurance.
People not otherwise insured may have to pay a contribution, though the state may pay it for those with low incomes.
Children under 18 are covered without that condition.
Get social support
Turkish citizens may qualify for financial assistance, pensions or other support if they meet the conditions.
Citizenship alone does not guarantee a payment.
How to apply
Applying at a local officeApplying at a local office
Find your local office
Find the Provincial Directorate of Population and Citizenship Affairs in the province where you live. This is the office that takes your application for the provincial governorship.
Searches DuckDuckGo for “Where is the Provincial Directorate of Population and Citizenship Affairs for Turkish citizenship by marriage in your city?”
Download the application form
Get the VAT-6 application form for Turkish citizenship by marriage from the citizenship forms page or your local office.
Download the formFill in the form
Fill in and sign the VAT-6 form.
Find form instructionsSearches DuckDuckGo for “How do I fill in the VAT-6 form for Turkish citizenship by marriage?”
Gather your documents
Prepare the required documents for your local office.
See required documentsBook an appointment
If your local office requires an appointment, use the NVİ appointment service or NVİ Mobile to book one. Select the province and office for where you live.
Book an appointmentSearches DuckDuckGo for “How do I book an NVİ appointment for Turkish citizenship by marriage?”
Pay the fee
Pay the service fee through a Treasury or finance cashier, or another payment channel your local office gives you. Keep the receipt.
Find payment instructionsSearches DuckDuckGo for “How do I pay the service fee for Turkish citizenship by marriage?”
Hand in your application
Bring your signed form, documents, originals and copies to your local office, and give any fingerprints required. Ask the office how it takes applications if you have not booked an appointment.
Searches DuckDuckGo for “How do I submit an application for Turkish citizenship by marriage at the Provincial Directorate of Population and Citizenship Affairs in your city?”
Attend your interview
Attend the interview with the citizenship commission when the office asks you to.
Find interview informationSearches DuckDuckGo for “What happens at the commission interview for Turkish citizenship by marriage?”
Track your application
Use the citizenship application status service to follow your application with your application number and date of birth. Your local office gives you the application number.
Track your applicationSearches DuckDuckGo for “How do I track my Turkish citizenship by marriage application with my application number?”
Wait for the decision
Respond to any questions or requests for more documents from your local office and wait for its notification. If your application is approved, you become a Turkish citizen.
Find decision informationSearches DuckDuckGo for “How will I receive the decision on my Turkish citizenship by marriage application?”
Documents needed
Family certificates and recordsFamily certificates and records
Birth certificate
Get your birth certificate, a civil-status extract or another official record showing all your identity details. If your birth date does not include the day and month, get an official document correcting it; if you cannot obtain one, you may use a signed declaration accepting the official procedure. Have any required Turkish translation notarised.
Marriage certificate
Provide a record of your civil marriage showing its date. The Turkish authorities normally obtain your Turkish spouse’s population record and marriage notification from their system when available.
Considerations
Things to think aboutThings to think about
Military service for men
Turkish men may have to complete military service, depending on their age and circumstances.
Some citizens living abroad can use a foreign-currency service option if they meet its conditions, including the relevant residence, work or multiple-citizenship requirements.
Citizenship can be lost
Citizenship may be renounced with permission, or by choice within three years of adulthood for some citizens by birth, adoption or a parent who would not be left without citizenship.
It can be cancelled if acquired unlawfully or on an invalid basis.
It can be taken for unpermitted foreign military or wartime service, foreign service against Turkey’s interests after notice, or some unreachable terrorism suspects abroad not returning after a public call.
Discuss
Online communitiesOnline communities
Turkish Residence permit for foreigners 🚋🚋🇹🇷
English Facebook group for people interested in Turkish citizenship and visas
Join on FacebookPlaces to visit in Türkiye
English Facebook group for people living in Türkiye interested in Turkish local life
Join on FacebookForeigners in Istanbul
English Facebook group for people living in Türkiye interested in Turkish local life
Join on FacebookConsultation
Talk to a professionalTalk to a professional
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