This content was prepared by Translation All World specialists in international document procedures.
An Apostille is an international authentication certificate used for eligible public documents under the Hague Convention of 5 October 1961. The source guide explains that the apostille is attached to the original document or an approved copy so the document can be recognized in another participating country without repeating the same authentication process there.
The apostille does not certify that the information written inside the document is true. It authenticates the signature, the official capacity of the signer and the seal or stamp appearing on the document.
What Is an Apostille?
The source guide defines an Apostille as an authentication mechanism based on the 1961 Hague Convention. The heading on an apostille certificate is standardized as “Apostille (Convention de La Haye du 5 octobre 1961).”
Its function is limited to authentication. For example, an apostille on a birth certificate does not independently prove the underlying birth facts; it confirms the official signature, authority and seal associated with the issuing document.
In Which Countries Is an Apostille Used?
The source guide lists examples of countries in which the Hague Apostille Convention route is used.
- European Union: Germany, France, Italy, Spain, the Netherlands, Belgium, Austria, Poland, Romania, the Czech Republic, Hungary, Greece, Portugal, Sweden, Denmark, Finland and other EU member states.
- North America: the United States and Canada, with the source noting Canada’s full participation from 2024.
- Asia: Japan, South Korea, Singapore and the Philippines.
- Oceania: Australia and New Zealand.
- South America: Argentina, Brazil, Chile, Colombia and Mexico.
- Other examples in the source: Israel, Russia, Ukraine, Georgia, Kazakhstan and South Africa.
The source guide separately lists China, the United Arab Emirates, Saudi Arabia, Qatar, Kuwait, Iran, Iraq, Vietnam, Thailand, Indonesia and some African countries as examples where it says consular legalization is required instead of an apostille.
Where Do You Get an Apostille in Turkey?
The competent authority depends on the type of document. The source guide gives the following framework.
| Document Type | Authority in Source Guide | Note |
|---|---|---|
| Administrative documents | Governor’s office or district governor’s office | Original or approved copy required |
| Judicial documents | Justice Commission Presidency at the competent high criminal court | Authority depends on the judicial district |
| Notarial documents | Governor’s office or district governor’s office | Notarial step should already be completed |
| Commercial documents | Chamber of commerce approval followed by governor’s / district governor’s office | Chamber approval described as a prerequisite |
| Education documents | Relevant education or higher-education approval followed by governor’s office | Source guide describes additional education-sector approval steps |
Should the Apostille Come Before or After Translation?
The source guide emphasizes that the correct order depends on what exactly will be authenticated.
- Scenario A — Apostille first, translation second: the original document is apostilled and then translated. The source gives Schengen visa, diploma-recognition and land-registry examples for this route.
- Scenario B — Translation first, apostille second: the document is translated, notarized and then the notarized translation itself is apostilled. The source describes this as a route used in some special cases.
The source guide states that the correct sequence is determined by the destination country and the authority that will receive the document. Translation All World can review the intended use before the authentication process starts.
Which Documents Are Needed for an Apostille Application?
- Original document or approved copy: the source guide states that a notarized copy may be used when the apostille will be attached to a copy.
- Identification: Turkish identity card or passport.
- Petition or application form: some authorities may require a written petition or official form.
- Power of attorney: described in the source as necessary when another person submits the document on the applicant’s behalf.
- Digital application form: where the relevant e-government process is available.
How Much Does an Apostille Cost in 2025–2026?
The source guide states that the apostille certificate itself is free of charge when issued by the governor’s office, district governor’s office or the relevant Justice Commission. Costs can still arise in the steps before apostille authentication.
- Sworn translation fees.
- Notarial fees for certified copies, powers of attorney or signature authentication.
- Chamber or institutional approval fees where the document needs an additional pre-approval.
The source gives an indicative combined cost of approximately 800–2,000 TL for a standard diploma or birth-certificate file when translation and pre-apostille approvals are included. It states that the actual total depends on the document and destination country.
How Long Does an Apostille Take?
| Route | Approximate Time in Source | Notes |
|---|---|---|
| District governor’s office | Same day or 1 business day | Depends on workload |
| Governor’s office | 1–3 business days | May take longer in busy periods |
| Justice Commission | 3–7 business days | Judicial documents may require more review |
| e-Government / e-Apostille | Immediate to 24 hours | Only for document types included in the service |
Can You Get an e-Apostille Through e-Devlet?
The source guide states that, as of 2025, e-Apostille is available through e-Devlet for a limited range of documents.
- Included in the source: criminal record certificates, some court decisions and enforcement-office documents.
- Still described as requiring physical processing: birth, marriage and death records; diplomas and transcripts; land-registry records; trade-registry documents; and notarial documents.
The source guide adds that the destination country’s acceptance of an electronic apostille should be checked before relying on the digital version.
What Is the Difference Between an Apostille and Consular Legalization?
| Feature | Apostille | Consular Legalization |
|---|---|---|
| Legal basis | 1961 Hague Convention | Diplomatic and consular procedures |
| Countries | Convention-participating countries | Countries/procedures outside the apostille route in the source guide |
| Issuing authority | Governor’s office, district governor’s office or competent judicial authority | Destination country’s consulate or embassy |
| Fee | Apostille itself described as free | Consular fee may apply |
| Typical time in source | 1–3 business days | 3–15 business days |
| Document validity | Source describes apostille as not having its own expiry, subject to the document’s validity | Source describes some consular procedures as commonly expecting documents issued within 3–6 months |
| Examples in source | Germany, United States, Japan, Argentina | China, UAE, Saudi Arabia, Iran, Qatar |
How Should You Prepare a Document That Will Be Used in Several Countries?
- Obtain an apostille on the original document where that route applies.
- Prepare notarized copies.
- Obtain separate apostilles on the copies where accepted and required.
- Keep the original document in a secure place.
The source particularly mentions diplomas, marriage certificates and birth certificates as documents that can be difficult to replace and may benefit from careful copy management.
Frequently Asked Questions
What is an apostille?
An apostille is an international authentication certificate under the 1961 Hague Convention. It authenticates the signature, official capacity and seal associated with an eligible public document; it does not certify the truth of the document’s contents.
Where do you get an apostille in Turkey?
The source guide states that administrative documents are handled through governor’s or district governor’s offices, while judicial documents are handled through the competent Justice Commission. It also notes that e-Apostille is available for some document types.
Is an apostille free?
The source guide states that the apostille itself is free, while translation, notarization, certified copies and institutional pre-approvals can create separate costs.
Should the apostille come before the translation?
The source guide says the usual sequence in many of its examples is apostille first and translation second, while also describing cases in which a notarized translation itself is apostilled. The correct sequence depends on the receiving authority.
How long does an apostille take?
The source gives same-day to one-business-day handling at some district governor’s offices, 1–3 business days at governor’s offices, 3–7 business days for judicial documents, and immediate-to-24-hour processing for supported e-Apostille documents.
Does an apostille expire?
The source guide states that the apostille itself does not have a separate expiry date, but the underlying document may have a validity or freshness period.
What does the source say about China and apostille?
The source guide lists China among countries for which it says consular legalization is used instead of apostille. This statement is reproduced from the supplied source material.
Can an apostille be obtained through e-Devlet?
The source guide says yes for a limited range of documents, including criminal record certificates and some court decisions, while listing birth, marriage, diploma and land-registry documents among those requiring physical procedures in its 2025 description.
Are notarization and apostille the same thing?
No. Notarization authenticates a signature or notarial act within the notarial process. An apostille is a separate international authentication certificate issued by a competent state authority for eligible documents.
Can an apostille be attached to a notarized copy?
The source guide states that a notarized copy can be apostilled and recommends this approach in some cases where the original document will be used in multiple countries.
Translation All World can review the document type, destination country and receiving authority before arranging sworn translation, notarization and apostille-related steps in the sequence described for the relevant procedure.
