Using a marriage performed in Turkey in the United States

This page is for people who got married in Turkey and will use their marriage in the United States: an immigrant petition for a spouse, changing a surname with the Social Security Administration, a tax return, or state procedures. It explains which Turkish document is considered valid, where to obtain the documents, and the rules for translation and apostilles. Information for those wishing to marry a U.S. citizen in Turkey is also provided at the end of the page. For general apostille rules, see 1.10 Passports and documents.

• Since 1926, when the Turkish Civil Code entered into force, only an official marriage performed before an authorized officer has been valid in Turkey.
• An imam marriage may be performed. However, if there was no official marriage beforehand, it is not considered a legal marriage.
• Since 2017, provincial and district muftis may also be authorized by local administrations to act as marriage officers.
• In the United States, the validity of a marriage is generally determined according to the law of the place where it was performed. An official marriage performed lawfully in Turkey is valid under this rule.
• After the marriage, the marriage officer notifies the General Directorate of Population and Citizenship Affairs. The marriage is generally entered into the spouses’ population records within 10 days.

• International Family Booklet: issued by the municipality on the wedding day. It is a burgundy-colored booklet; it is prepared in Turkish and French, with explanations in other languages, including English, on subsequent pages.
  • If lost, a replacement can be obtained from the municipality that performed the marriage or through the population registration system.
  • A certified copy of the booklet is not issued.
• Formula B (International Marriage Registration Sample): an official population registration record that can be used as proof of marriage instead of the family booklet.
  • It can be obtained through e-Devlet, provincial and district population directorates, or Turkish diplomatic missions abroad.
  • You can obtain it from Turkish missions in the United States by appointment or by requesting delivery to your address through online.konsolosluk.gov.tr.
• If a previous marriage ended in divorce: the family court’s final divorce judgment (divorce decree). A certified copy can be obtained from the court or through the UYAP Citizen Portal on e-Devlet. No fee is charged.
• Detailed population registration record: shows all events such as marriage, divorce, and birth. It can be useful as additional evidence in some applications.

• I-130 petition: send a copy of the marriage document. Also include a divorce decree, annulment decree, or death certificate showing that any previous marriages ended.
• Translation: include a complete English translation of every document in a foreign language. The translator must provide a written statement that the translation is complete and accurate and that they are competent in both languages.
• The USCIS I-130 document list does not require an apostille for a Turkish document. Do not send the original document unless requested.
• NVC and the Ankara interview: the NVC requests scanned copies of documents. Bring the originals or certified copies of population documents, readable photocopies, and the required translations to the interview. Originals are generally returned at the interview.
• For details about immigration processes, see 7.1 Marriage to a U.S. citizen or green card holder.
• If you married in Turkey, you cannot obtain a K-1 fiancé(e) visa; use the spouse route. See 2.6 Fiancé(e) visa (K-1).

• Turkey and the United States are parties to the Hague Apostille Convention. An apostilled document is accepted in both countries without any further certification.
• The U.S. Embassy in Ankara and the consulates in Istanbul and Adana cannot certify Turkish official documents.
• According to the Embassy, to obtain an apostille for a Turkish document:
  1. Have the document translated into English by a sworn translator.
  2. Have the translation notarized by a Turkish notary.
  3. Obtain an apostille from the Provincial Directorate of Legal Affairs (for example, the Ankara, Istanbul, or Adana governorates).
• e-Apostilles are also available for court decisions and criminal records. See 1.10 Passports and documents.
• For institutions such as a state court, DMV, or bank, the institution requesting the document decides whether it must be apostilled. Ask that institution first.

• Social Security Administration (SSA): The SSA’s internal regulations (POMS) list a marriage performed in a foreign country among the events accepted for changing the name on a Social Security card. Ask the SSA before applying which document it requires and in what format. For an SSN, see 5.3 How to obtain a Social Security number (SSN).
• Taxes (IRS): If you are married at the end of the year and one spouse is a U.S. citizen or tax resident while the other is not, you may elect to treat the foreign spouse as a resident for tax purposes.
  • With this election, you file a joint return. Both spouses report their worldwide income.
  • The election is made by attaching a statement signed by both spouses to the first joint return.
  • If the election ends, neither spouse may make the election again, even if they marry someone else. The IRS defines this as an election that can be made “once in a lifetime.”
  • The foreign spouse must have an SSN or ITIN. If they cannot obtain an SSN, they request an ITIN using Form W-7. See 15.2 Taxpayer identification number: SSN or ITIN.
• For filing rules, see 15.3 Tax return.

• In Turkey, a Turkish citizen and a foreign national may marry only before an authorized Turkish marriage officer.
• The foreign spouse is generally required to provide:
  • a multilingual certificate of capacity to marry and a birth registration record issued by the authorities of their country
  • if divorced, an annotated marriage registration record; if widowed, a registration record for the deceased spouse
  • the original residence certificate and passport, plus notarized photocopies
  • an interpreter during the application and ceremony if they do not speak Turkish
• The Turkish citizen spouse must provide a population registration record, identity card, photographs, a marriage declaration, and a health report issued by a health institution in Turkey.
• Ask the marriage office where the ceremony will take place for the definitive list.
• The U.S. Embassy and consulates provide notary services by appointment to people of every nationality. A fee of $50 is charged per signature and seal; payment is made through pay.gov before the appointment. You must bring your own witness; consular personnel do not act as witnesses.

• Population directorates and e-Devlet — Formula B, detailed population registration record
  • Web: turkiye.gov.tr
• Turkish missions in the United States — Formula B, family booklet
  • Consular Call Center (24/7): +1 888 566 7656 from the United States and Canada
  • For addresses, see 11.1 Turkish missions in the United States
• Provincial Directorates of Legal Affairs — apostilles for Turkish documents (for example, Ankara, Istanbul, and Adana)
• U.S. Embassy Ankara — notary services for U.S. citizens (by appointment)
  • Address: Çukurambar Mahallesi, 1480 Sokak No: 1, 06530 Çankaya / Ankara
  • Telephone: +90 312 294 00 00
  • Appointment and fee: Notary services page

• Being married only through an imam marriage and being unable to provide an official marriage document.
• Submitting the Turkish document without an English translation or translator’s certification.
• Sending the original family booklet to USCIS even though it was not requested.
• Failing to include the final divorce decree for a previous marriage.
• Requesting an apostille or certification for a Turkish document from the U.S. Embassy.
• Applying for a K-1 fiancé(e) visa after marrying in Turkey.

• Do I need to register my marriage in Turkey separately in the United States? USCIS requests a copy of the Turkish marriage document and its English translation. If another institution requires additional processing, ask that institution.
• Family booklet or Formula B? Both are proof of marriage. Because a certified copy of the family booklet is not issued, Formula B is practical when a copy is required.
• Who can translate the document? USCIS requires the translator to provide a written statement that the translation is complete and accurate and that they are competent in both languages. Other institutions may require a sworn or certified translation.
• Is an apostille required? It is not on the USCIS I-130 list. A state court or another institution may require one; ask that institution.
• My surname changed in Turkey, but my U.S. documents show my former name. What should I do? Update your SSA record using your marriage document. Also list your previous names on immigration forms.
• My spouse is not in the United States. Can we file a joint return? You can do so by electing to treat the foreign spouse as a resident. This election requires reporting worldwide income; consult a tax professional.

• Form I-130 (PDF)
• Form I-130 instructions (PDF)
• IRS Publication 519 – U.S. Tax Guide for Aliens (PDF)
• Form W-7, ITIN application (PDF)
• U.S. Department of State – Turkey document guide
• e-Devlet
• Online consular application
• e-Apostille