Sworn and Notarized Translation in Turkey: How It Works (2026 Guide)

If a Turkish authority has asked you for a “noter onaylı tercüme”, or a foreign authority wants your Turkish documents in English, German or Arabic, this guide explains what that means and how the process works. We are a notarized translation bureau in Istanbul, so this is the work we do every day.

What is a sworn translator in Turkey?

A sworn translator (yeminli tercüman) is a translator who has taken an oath before a Turkish notary. Before accepting the oath, the notary checks that the translator knows the language, usually from diplomas or similar documents. The notary then keeps an oath record (yemin zaptı) that lists the translator’s identity and the languages the oath covers. The rule comes from Article 96 of the regulation on the Notaries Law.

The oath covers only the languages written in that record. A translator sworn for English cannot sign a notarized Russian translation.

Sworn translation vs notarized translation

The two terms are often mixed up, but they are two different levels of certification.

An important detail: the notary certifies the translator’s signature, not the accuracy of the translation. The translator remains responsible for the content.

Why the translator and the notary come as a pair

A notary can only certify the signature of a translator whose oath record it holds. A translator registered at one notary cannot have their translation certified at another notary across the street. This is why a translation bureau works with specific notaries, and why the location of the bureau matters if you need the job done quickly.

What a notarized translation looks like

• The full text of the document in the target language, including stamps, handwritten notes, the back side and any apostille already on the original.
• Names written exactly as they appear in the passport.
• The translator’s block: name, language, a declaration that the translation is faithful, stamp and signature.
• The notary’s block: certification note, notary office name, date, journal number, seal and signature.

Which one do you need?

The authority that receives the document decides. As a rule of thumb:

• Turkish public authorities such as the migration authority (Göç İdaresi), marriage offices, the land registry and courts usually ask for a notarized translation. For example, the e-İkamet guidance for residence permits states that the Turkish translation of a foreign document must be notarized.
• Foreign authorities often ask for a notarized translation and, depending on the country, an apostille or consular legalization as well.
• Private institutions such as some companies and universities may accept a sworn translation without notary certification.

If you are not sure, ask the receiving authority before ordering. It is cheaper to ask than to have a document certified twice.

When is an apostille also needed?

• Turkish document going abroad to a Hague Convention country: the document is translated and notarized, then an apostille is added to the notarized translation. Some receivers want the apostille on the original document instead.
• Foreign document coming to Turkey: the apostille must be obtained in the country that issued the document. It cannot be added in Turkey. The document is then translated in Turkey, including the apostille, and notarized.
• Countries outside the Convention (for example the UAE, Qatar, Egypt or Iraq) need consular legalization instead of an apostille.

Read our apostille guide for the details.

Can a machine or freelance translation be notarized?

No. A notary can only certify the signature of a translator whose oath record it holds. A translation produced by a machine, or by a translator who is not sworn at that notary, cannot be notarized as it is. It has to be prepared and signed by a sworn translator.

How it works at Kenbil Translation

1. Send a clear photo or scan of the document on WhatsApp, or bring the original to one of our offices.
2. We tell you the price and the delivery time before we start.
3. Our sworn translator translates the full document and signs it.
4. We take the translation to the notary ourselves. You do not need to go to the notary.
5. If needed, we also follow the apostille or consular legalization steps.

Each of our four Istanbul offices works with a notary on the same floor or next door:

• Şirinevler (Bahçelievler): on the same floor as the 20th Notary
• Halkalı (Küçükçekmece): on the same floor as the 31st Notary
• Bağcılar Güneşli: on the same floor as the 47th Notary
• İkitelli: next door to the 29th Notary

Because the notary is on the same floor or next door, many documents are completed on the same day. We translate in 72 languages.

Living outside Istanbul? If you are in Antalya, Alanya, Fethiye, Bodrum or İzmir, send your document on WhatsApp; the notarized translation is couriered to you. See notarized translation anywhere in Turkey.

Frequently asked questions

Do I need to go to the notary in person?

No. The notary certifies the translator’s signature, not yours. We take the translation to the notary for you.

Do you need the original document?

For many documents a clear photo or scan is enough to translate from. Some authorities want to see the original next to the translation, so keep it with you when you submit your file.

Is a translation made abroad accepted in Turkey?

Turkish authorities generally expect a translation notarized by a Turkish notary. A translation made abroad may not be accepted, so check with the authority first.

How should names be written?

Exactly as in the passport. Different spellings of the same name across documents are a common reason for files being returned.