I have already provided readers with a list of documents required for the children of the applicant for citizenship. The documents required vary according to the legal status of the parents (i.e., single, married, divorced) at the time the children were born.A partial list of documents required was in the first part of this series, at http://www.todayszaman.com/tz-web/columnists-203920-what-about-the-kids-turkish-citizenship-by-marriage.html. The following required documents involve the case in which a child is born during a marriage that ends in divorce. In such a case, the government authorities require the following documents:
The authorities will require an officially approved copy of the divorce verdict. If the verdict was issued by a court in a foreign country, a notarized copy of the final court verdict in the divorce should be submitted with the file along with the other required documents. The verdict must be officially translated into Turkish and the translation approved by a notary public.
As I noted about the verdict regarding custody, I suggest an official copy of the verdict be taken to an official translator because the official translator may ask for an approved copy of the verdict. I recommend you get the document translation approved by a Turkish notary or a Turkish consulate to avoid further costs.
In addition to the copy of the verdict, the authorities require a letter of consent from either the father or the mother who is not applying for citizenship. This document should be notarized. If this document is obtained from a foreign country’s notary, it must be officially translated into Turkish and the translation approved by a notary public in Turkey.
Another possible legal status affecting the list of required documents is if the child is born into a marriage that ended with the death of either of the parents. I don’t even want to mention this, but there is one thing certain in life, and that is death.
The following documents are required by the authorities for an application based on such a case:
A birth certificate issued by the authorities of the country where the child was born. If this document is obtained from foreign authorities, it must be officially translated into Turkish and the translation approved by a notary public. In some cases, you may need to have this certificate duly apostilled in accordance with The Hague Convention. Please inquire about this with the relevant Turkish authorities when applying.
A report by authorities that will be prepared in accordance with the birth certificate (VGF-01).
A copy of the marriage certificate should also be provided. If this document is obtained from the authorities of a foreign country, it must be officially translated into Turkish and the translation approved by a notary, the Turkish consulate or a notary public in Turkey, which may be the best, fastest and least expensive option.
A copy of the death certificate should also be provided. If this document is obtained from the authorities of a foreign country, it must be officially translated into Turkish and the translation approved by a notary office, the Turkish consulate or a notary public in Turkey.
Finally, the last possibility affecting the list of required documents is in the case of a child born out of legal wedlock. A few other documents are required in this instance. However, this is not an ordinary case, but more complicated, and I plan on responding only if I receive a query about such a case.
NOTE: Berk Çektir is a licensed attorney at law and available to answer questions on the legal aspects of living in Turkey. Send enquiries to b.cektir@todayszaman.com The names of the readers are disclosed only upon written approval of the sender.DISCLAIMER: The information provided here is intended to give basic legal information. You should get legal assistance from a licensed attorney at law while conducting legal transactions and not just rely on the information in this corner.
