Notarized Lease Contracts and Hosting Letters for Your Student Residence Permit in Turkey
When you apply for a student residence permit in Turkey, writing your address on the form isn’t enough. You must attach a document proving that you actually live there. This is where many students get stuck: do I need a notarized lease? What if I’m staying with a relative or friend?
The short answer: you have roughly four options: university dorm documents, a notarized lease contract, a lease signed electronically through e-Devlet, or a notarized hosting letter (Taahhütname) from the person you’re staying with. The right one depends on your housing situation.
1) Why Is Proof of Address Required?
You apply through the e-ikamet portal. Middle East Technical University notes that the form asks for two addresses: the university’s address and your permanent address. The residence card is also mailed to the address where you actually live, so a wrong address can delay it. metuturkeyuniversity
2) The Four Options
Option | Best for | Key requirement |
University dorm | You live in university housing | Official dorm letter |
Notarized lease | You rent an apartment or room | Your name listed as tenant |
E-signed lease (e-Devlet) | Landlord and tenant sign digitally | Accepted per the office’s procedures |
Hosting letter (Taahhütname) | You stay with someone and don’t rent | Notarized by the host, with their documents |
METU states that for renting, you need a lease e-signed through e-Devlet or a notarized lease. If you’re using someone else’s address, you need a notarized undertaking from that person. One advisory firm adds that a notarized lease is the safest and most widely accepted option, and that dormitory documents are also accepted by the immigration office. Residence Permit - Ankara - International Students Office +3
3) The Notarized Lease Contract
Requirements
The student must be named in the contract as the tenant. uskudar
The accommodation document must show your own details and address. A lease signed by a roommate, or a dorm confirmation made out to someone else, won’t work. turkeyuniversity
Some university guides explain that the contract is drawn up in the presence of a notary between the landlord and the tenant. itu
All documents must be in Turkish. uskudar
Steps
Agree the terms with the landlord (rent, duration, deposit) before going to the notary.
Book a notary appointment. Notaries usually ask for both parties’ IDs and the property details, so ask for the exact list beforehand.
Bring your original passport. If you don’t speak Turkish, the notary will need a sworn translator and a translated passport. garsconsulting
Check the contract before signing, especially your name, the start date and the address.
Sign and collect the notarized copy, then attach it to your residence permit file.
4) The Hosting Letter (Taahhütname)
This is used when you stay with someone and don’t rent from them. Sources explain that a Turkish host signs a notarized undertaking confirming they are hosting you and giving their ID details. settle-in-turkey
What does the host need to provide?
Legal residence in Turkey, plus a residence certificate and a utility bill in their name. itu
A registered address. metu
If the host is Turkish, sources list a residence certificate, population record and utility bill, with the spouse also signing if the host is married. uskudar
If the host is a foreigner, sources list a residence certificate from e-Devlet and a utility bill. Note that your permit duration can’t exceed the host’s legal stay. uskudarmetu
Steps
Ask your host to prepare their ID, residence certificate and a utility bill in their name, plus their spouse if married.
Go to the notary together to draw up the undertaking.
Check the text, the names and the address.
Attach the letter and the host’s documents to your residence permit file.
5) If the Document Is Issued Abroad
Some university guides say that a document obtained from abroad needs a notarized Turkish translation and an apostille. (See our articles on apostille versus standard legalization and on the power of attorney for the correct sequence.) In most cases it’s simpler to have your housing document notarized inside Turkey. itu
6) Registering and Updating Your Address
The university explains that for an extension, address registration must already be complete, and if your address doesn’t appear, you must update it at the migration office with a valid address document. metu
A law firm states that you should register your address with the civil registry within 20 working days of moving, and that delay can affect renewal. Confirm the deadline that applies in your city. mervebayraklaw
When your address changes, you must declare the new one to the migration office with a valid document (notarized lease, letter of undertaking or dorm document). itu
If you move before your card arrives, update your address through the e-ikamet system. turkeyuniversity
7) Common Mistakes
A lease not in the student’s name (in a roommate’s or relative’s name).
An incomplete hosting letter: a utility bill not in the host’s name, or no signature from the host’s spouse.
A foreign host whose residence period is shorter than the permit you’re requesting.
An unnotarized lease without checking that the office accepts it.
An unregistered address, or one that doesn’t match your e-ikamet application.
Documents not in Turkish or not sworn-translated.
Name spelling errors between the contract and your passport.
Delaying the address update after moving.
8) Quick Checklist
Item | ✓ |
My name appears as tenant, exactly as in my passport | ☐ |
The lease/letter is notarized (or e-signed, depending on the office) | ☐ |
The address matches my e-ikamet application | ☐ |
Host documents are complete (residence, bill, population record, spouse’s signature if applicable) | ☐ |
A foreign host’s stay period covers my requested permit | ☐ |
Documents are in Turkish or sworn-translated | ☐ |
I’ve checked my university’s international office checklist | ☐ |
9) Frequently Asked Questions
Is an ordinary (non-notarized) lease enough?Universities usually specify a notarized or e-signed lease. Asking the migration office or your international students’ office is the safest course.
Can I use a relative’s address where I’m staying?Yes, through a notarized hosting letter with the host’s documents.
Is a lease in my roommate’s name enough?No. The sources indicate the document must show your name and address.
Do requirements differ between cities?Details can differ between migration offices and universities, so rely on your own university’s checklist.
Can I prepare the lease before I arrive in Turkey?It’s better to wait until you arrive and sign it at the notary in person, unless you have a valid power of attorney for someone to act for you.
This article is general information, not legal advice. Residence procedures change and vary between authorities, so check with the migration office or your university’s international students’ office before applying.
Hallak’s Role in This Procedure
If you don’t speak Turkish, we can accompany you, together with a sworn translator, to the notary when your lease contract or hosting letter is notarized. We also provide sworn translation of your documents (such as your passport and your host’s papers) and arrange the notary certification of the translation on your behalf. If any document was issued abroad, we can help with the apostille and related certifications and with preparing your file. The translation can be done remotely, while the notary visit takes place in person in Turkey. The residence application itself, and whether your address document is accepted, remain with the migration office and your university.
Need a sworn translation of your documents, or an interpreter at the notary? [Contact us now] and we’ll help you arrange the steps.
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