Power of Attorney (Vekaletname) in Turkey: From Inside or Outside the Country

Oct 12

5 min read

Everything you need to know about the power of attorney (Vekaletname) in Turkey

A power of attorney (Vekaletname) is an official document that lets someone you trust act on your behalf before government offices, banks, courts and the land registry. Whether you’re a student who needs a procedure completed while you’re away, or a resident instructing a lawyer, the question is the same: how do I issue it, and where?

The short answer: you can issue it at a Turkish notary, from abroad through a Turkish consulate, or through a local notary in your own country with an apostille. Which route fits you depends on where you are right now. karanfiloglu

1) When Do You Need a Power of Attorney?

Completing official or banking procedures on your behalf while you’re out of the city or country.
Appointing a lawyer for a case or legal procedure.
Buying, selling or registering property at the land registry (Tapu).
Selling a vehicle or transferring its ownership.
Inheritance, marriage or divorce matters.

2) Types of Power of Attorney

Type	Typical use	Note
General	A range of matters with official bodies and banks	Broad authority, so think before granting it
Special	One specific act (selling a car, a property procedure)	Usually the safest way to limit authority
Lawyer’s	A lawsuit or court follow-up	Often with special powers stated explicitly

Sources stress that each power granted should be described specifically in the document. If you only need one task done, such as selling a car, a special power of attorney is generally safer than a general one. kocaersoz

3) Issuing It Inside Turkey

This is the simplest route. The usual approach when you’re in Turkey is to sign at a local notary, because the document then needs no apostille, consular certification or translation. istanbullawyerfirm

Steps:

Choose the nearest notary and decide the type and exact powers.
Bring your original ID or passport. Some sources note that the original is required and a photocopy won’t be accepted. noterpusulasi
If you’re a foreigner who doesn’t speak Turkish, expect to need a sworn translator and a translated passport at the notary. garsconsulting
Bring two recent photos for property, divorce or inheritance powers, as these cases require recent photos taken within the last six months. noterpusulasi
Give the notary your agent’s details (name and ID number). They don’t have to attend.
Sign and receive your copy.

Duration: A power of attorney stays valid with no time limit unless one is stated, and the principal can cancel it at any time. w5

Cost: It varies by source and content. One source gives a 2026 base fee of about 1,177 lira for a general power of attorney, rising with its content, while another suggests a foreigner’s power of attorney can reach 2,000 to 3,000 lira once translation and apostille are added. Ask the notary for the final fee before you go. kadimhukuk avfurkangur

4) Issuing It From Outside Turkey

You don’t have to enter Turkey. There are three routes:

Route 1: A Turkish Consulate or Embassy

The power of attorney is drawn up directly in Turkish, and a consular power of attorney has the same legal effect as one from a Turkish notary, so it needs no apostille or further legalization. If you don’t speak Turkish, you’ll need a sworn interpreter registered with the consulate. Check your consulate’s website for appointments, fees and documents. istanbullawyerfirm istanbulcriminallawyer

Route 2: A Local Notary + Apostille (if your country is a Hague Convention member)

The power of attorney is drawn up by a notary in your country.
An apostille is added by the competent authority. As we explained in our apostille article, Turkey is a party to the Convention, and an apostille replaces consular legalization between member states.
It is then translated into Turkish by a sworn translator, and the translation is notarized in Turkey. istanbulcriminallawyer
If it’s a lawyer’s power of attorney, a bar association stamp may also be needed before authorities will process it. istanbulcriminallawyer

Note that the text of the apostille itself must also be translated, and the notary’s certification covers both the document and the apostille. istanbullawyerfirm

Route 3: A Country Outside the Hague Convention

You’ll need the Turkish consul to authenticate the foreign signature and seal, followed by sworn translation and notarization as in Route 2. istanbulcriminallawyer

5) Quick Comparison

	Inside Turkey	Consulate	Foreign notary + apostille	Non-member country
Where signed	Turkish notary	Embassy/consulate	Notary in your country	Notary in your country
Apostille	❌	❌	✅	❌ (consular legalization)
Sworn translation	For foreigners if needed	Via consulate’s interpreter	✅ into Turkish	✅ into Turkish
Translation notarized	❌	❌	✅ in Turkey	✅ in Turkey
Usually fastest	✅	Medium	Slowest	Slowest

6) Important Notes When Issuing From Abroad

Language: A power of attorney in a foreign language can’t be used directly in Turkey, so a sworn translation with notarization is essential. istanbullawyerfirm
The original paper: After notarization and certification, the original document must be sent to Turkey securely. istaproperty
Cautious offices: Some bodies, such as the land registry and banks, treat powers of attorney from foreign notaries with caution. For large property or banking matters, a consular power of attorney is often preferred. Ask the receiving office before you issue. kocaersoz
Photos: Land-registry (Tapu) powers of attorney may require a biometric photo in some cases. garsconsulting

7) Cancelling a Power of Attorney (Azilname)

You cancel with a separate formal act. It’s best done at the same notary that issued it, where practical. If you’re abroad, the same authentication chain applies: the consulate, or a foreign notary with an apostille or consular legalization and a sworn translation. Don’t rely on telling your agent verbally. The formal cancellation is what protects you before the authorities. istanbullawyerfirm istanbullawyerfirm

8) Common Mistakes

Granting a general power of attorney for one simple task.
Issuing from abroad without checking whether the receiving body accepts that route.
Forgetting to translate the apostille text or to notarize the translation in Turkey.
Using an unsuitable translation office, so the document is refused at the land registry or bank.
Relying on a photocopy instead of the notarized original.
Leaving the power of attorney in force after its purpose ends instead of cancelling it formally.
Name spelling that differs between the power of attorney and your passport.

9) Frequently Asked Questions

Does my agent need to attend the notary?Usually not; their identity details are normally enough, though this can vary by type of power of attorney.

Does a power of attorney expire?It stays valid unless a duration is set or it is formally cancelled.

Can I issue one from abroad without traveling?Yes, through a consulate, or through a notary in your country with an apostille and sworn translation.

Which route is fastest?Usually a Turkish notary if you’re in the country, then a consulate if you’re abroad.

Do I need an interpreter if I don’t speak Turkish?Yes. A sworn interpreter is generally required at both notaries and consulates when needed.

This article is general information, not legal advice. Procedures and fees vary by authority and over time, so check with the notary, the consulate or a qualified lawyer before acting.

Need a sworn translation of a power of attorney issued abroad? [Contact us now] and we’ll set out the right steps before you lose time or money.