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Weddings in Turkey

245

Comments

  • GuestGuest
    edited 6:08AM
    I am after a little help, we are going on holiday to royal wings Lara beach in June 2013, and was thinking about getting married whilst there, do royal wings accommodate for weddings? Obviously it would be a little affair possibly just ceremony
  • clarecgclarecg
    edited 6:08AM
    Hi angeywoo

    you are probably best to contact the hotel directly. Many hotels here are able to offer a wedding service
    Here are their contact details
    PHONE
    +90 242 352 25 00

    FAX
    +90 242 352 25 18

    E-MAIL
    info@royalwingshotel.com

    Good luck!
  • wincottwincott
    Hi all,
    I live in Istanbul as a wedding photographer and I can try to share my experiences with you.
    You can contact with me. ufuksarisen@ufuksarisen.com
    www.ufuksarisen.com
  • LayaleJLayaleJ
    Hello there,

    I'm planning to get married in Turkey - Istanbul probably - by the end of this month, i'll be having a civil marriage... I am Lebanese, and the fees here are too expensive, kind of unbelievable, so i was thinking if i can organize it myself if possible sure and easy, since i'm planning to stay for at least a week, and the offers i'm getting here are for 1 to 3 nights only!!!... Any help/advice is really appreciated.

    Thank you so much...
    Layale
  • AlethiaAlethia
    edited September 2013
    Layalej many people arrange their own weddings in Turkey on a very small budget so I am not sure why you find it so expensive. Are you using a wedding planner? The following may help you to find your way to planning it yourself.. There is no minimum residency requirement to marry in Turkey but you will need 3-4 days for the paperwork.

    Only CIVIL  marriage ceremonies are recognised in Turkey. The civil ceremony is normally conducted by the local registrar (Evlendirme Dairesi) and the service takes 5-10 minutes  As the ceremony is conducted in Turkish you may need a translator. A religious ceremony may take place only after the civil ceremony has been completed

    It is the law in Turkey for couples to have blood tests/medicals before the wedding, the registry office will tell you which clinic to go to.

    You do not say how many guests will be at your wedding , but you can book a restaurant or hotel for your wedding party.There are hundreds of marvellous restaurants in Istanbul I am sure you can find one to suit you.

    I found this website for you which you may find helpful, its arranging a wedding for Lebanese in Istanbul. 

    Good luck 
     


  • omerozturkomerozturk
    Deaar Layale,

    Kindly remind you that foreign people gets married at their ambassy or consulate. 

    I suggess you to adress authorities to have certain info.
  • AlethiaAlethia
    Omerozturk, your information is incorrect foreigners do NOT get married at their embassy and consulate. Non Turks  resident in Turkey marry in the same way as Turks. 
    If you check this link to the US Embassy it clearly states that NO  marriages are performed at the Embassy or consulate. http://turkey.usembassy.gov/marriage.html
  • omerozturkomerozturk
    I noticed that foreign citizens should adress 1st to their authorities who is consulate, embassy to be able to proceed. As you linked it says foreigners should follow up certain ways to be able collect some official documents.
  • AlethiaAlethia
    Omerozturk, the reason foreigners go to their own embassy or consulate is to verify and translate their documents which must then be taken to the local governors office in Turkey to be certified.


    This link gives clear guidance on foreigners marrying in Turkey. I chose links to the USA and UK website as they are in English but the Turkish marriage law is the same for all foreigners

  • VivViv
    I live in Ireland with my partner and were getting married in turkey next sep we have a wedding planner which is telling us we don't have to have a civil ceremony that we can get married for real in turkey any one know what forms and stuff I need to have and get in Ireland before we go over
  • AlethiaAlethia
    Viv, yes you can marry in Turkey a marriage in Turkey is recognised as legal in Ireland.

    The most important document you both require is a Certificate de Coutoume this is a legal document from the Irish government that sates you are both free to marry. This website tells you how you obtain the Certificate de Coutoume  http://www.dfa.ie/home/index.aspx?id=274

    The documents you will need are your passports, your birth certificates, your divorce decree if you have been married before or the death certificate of your spouse if you are widowed. The certificate de coutoume and in Turkey you will need to have a medical examination. All the arrangements for the wedding, medial exam etc are a carried out by the wedding planner.

    Like any wedding things seem a bit stressful, but I am sure you will enjoy your Turkish wedding.

  • VivViv
    edited October 2013
  • tan_athtan_ath
    sound great, congratulation and good luck
  • leena11leena11
    I desperatly need some assistance. I am planning to get married in Istanbul at the end of November, I am a british national and my fiance is a syrian national living in saudi arabia. I need to know what documenrs I require and which of these need to be translated in to Turkish and legalised? Every website i look at has something additional or something missing that is on another dite. I contacted the british consulate but they simply told me i need a certificate of no impediment to be translated and my other queries needed to be directed to thd Turkish authorities....i have searched forAny help anyone can offer would be much appreciated
  • omerozturkomerozturk
    edited October 2013
    Dear Leena,

    I contacted to one of wedding authorities in Istanbul about your situation. 
    1- To be able to get an appointment in any district you need to have hotel booking confirmation from that distirct. It means if hotel doesn't located in that district you can't adress to that quarter's authorities.
    2- Documents requested may change regarding which district you are adressing. (Not so important detail.) While getting appoinment on exact date you wishes you can this info easily.
    3- 'No impediment' documnet can be provided by British consulate in Istanbul but Syrian's doesn't. So Syriens should get this doc in their country or from any consulate which makes it.
    4- The other things are medical/blood tests etc. You need to make it done in Turkey. 

    Than you marry as Turks. 2 witnesses requiered etc. etc.

    I think it is clear that you need a translator at every where :)
  • AlethiaAlethia
    edited October 2013
    Leena, this is one of the most common questions not just on here but on other sites about Turkey.
    As a British citizen these are the documents you will need.

    Certificate of Non Impediment (CONI)

    To obtain the certificate of non impediment call your local Registry Office and make an appointment specifically for the CONI. It costs about £35 The registry office will tell you what documents you need. You do not have to give a specific address for the wedding ceremony just say Istanbul. This is the equivalent of posting the banns. After 16 days your CONI will be issued to you.

    The CONI is valid for six months if its issued in England and Wales three months validity for Scottish CONI

    Upon arrival in Turkey you must have your documents translated at the British Consulate in Istanbul.http://www.british-consulate.net/Istanbul.html

    For this you will need the following documents:-
    • Certificate of No Impediment, not issued more than six months prior to the wedding day.
    • Full ten year British passport with minimum validity of six months.
    • Full Birth Certificate.
    • If you are divorced - a Decree Absolute
    • If you have changed your name - Deed Poll
    • If you are widowed - the death certificate
    The British Consulate charge for the translation service ask how much when you contact them.
    When your documents have been translated you go to the local Turkish Governors office where the documents are legalised for free.
    As your fiance is Syrian he will also require proof he is free to marry and his documents translated into Turkish and legalised at the Governors office.
    Everyone who marries in Turkey must have blood test (including Turks) the Turkish registry office will tell you where to go. You will need about 4 passport sized photographs for the Turkish registry office.
    You will need 2 witnesses for the wedding and a translator.
    How do I know this, I am a British Immigration / human rights lawyer who has assisted many of my British clients who have married in Turkey and other countries.


     
  • AlethiaAlethia
    Omerozturk, I know you were trying to assist but your information is incorrect and misleading. A British citizen can only obtain a CONI from the British Embassy in Turkey if they are living in Turkey as it takes three weeks for the CONI to be issued most Britons obtain the CONI from their registry office in the UK . This also applies to other European nationals Americans Australians etc.

    When a couple are staying in a hotel/ apartment in Istanbul then it is simply a matter of finding where the local Marriage office is located. In my experience hotel staff are very helpful in pointing people in the right direction.

    Documents for foreigners DO NOT change there is a standard requirement for foreigners set by the Turkish authorities. as can be seen by the government website http://www.turkishconsulate.org.uk/en/marriage_divorce.asp?PageID=2


  • omerozturkomerozturk
    Dear Alethia,

    I read earlier as well, appriciated. 

    I talked to an authority who is in charge with wedding for Besiktas. He told himself British consulate provide this document in Istanbul. He added also may be doc requested may change. He asked me to check 1st availability in the distirct than start making plans because When i was married it was necessary to book at least 2 months earliers before summer 4-5 months earlier to be able to get week-end.

    You know there is a speach, who knows better/more; "the one who travels or the one who reads more?". Appearantly you read enough and experienced this issue earlier. 

    Please keep tracing posts and pls feel free to ask any asisstance.
  • leena11leena11
    Dear Alethia

    Thank you ever so much for your help. Could you tell me if my birth certificate, change of name deed, passport and CONI need to be legalised in the UK first of all (before they can be translated/legalised in Turkey) or is it enough for them to be certified as true copies?
  • AlethiaAlethia
    Leena, you DO NOT need to legalise the documents in the UK. The British Embassy and Turkish Governors office DO NOT accept certified copies of documents they must be all be originals .Please ask if you need more help.
  • leena11leena11
    So can i just check i have this right, i need my birth certicate which is stamped by the registry office, my change of name deed that has my wet ink signature on it and has also been signed by a solicitor to say it is a genuine deed, a certificate of no.impediment and my passport?
  • AlethiaAlethia
    Leena the documents you have listed are correct. Have you been married before? if so you must supply your divorce decree.
    If you want to marry in November you need to get a move on as the CONI takes 3 weeks.to be issued.

    I would also call the British Consulate in Istanbul for an appointment to drop off your documents for translation. By the way the translation cost between 300-400 Turkish Lira 
    Good luck

  • leena11leena11
    Thanks for your responses. I have an appointment tomorrow to apply for the CONI and my fiance will also book flights and accommodation.

    So once the hotel is booked we can obtain the local registry office details from the hotel to make an appointment? What I plan to do is make an appointment with the british consulate to have the CONI translated into Turkish, take it to the Turkish Governor to be legalised (the same day) and have an appointment with the registry office for the following day for the marriage ceremony to take place? Does this sound like something that would be possible or does a certain period of time have to pass between getting the CONI legalised and the ceremoney taking place?

    Do the registry offices usually have good availability for appointments?

    Can the medical appointments be booked in advance?

    Is it only the CONI that needs to be translated and legalised or does this have to be done with all documents?

    Sorry for all the questions I just need to make sure I get this right, the last thing I want is to arrive in Turkey and discover i have missed something. Thanks in advance.
  • AlethiaAlethia
    Leena,

    You must have all your documents translated at the British Consulate.

    You will need a letter in Turkish signed by someone at the hotel to say you are staying there as a booking is not sufficient

    Don't forget your husband needs to have his documents translated into Turkish, usually Arabs go to a translator and Notary for translations.
     
    In your itinerary you have failed to take into account your blood tests/ medcals, "Nikah Talisi" sometimes you have to go the next day for the results. Istanbul is a huge city and running here and there from office to office will take time.

    You will also need 6 passport size photos for you and 6 for your husband.

    In my opinion it is unlikely you will be able to marry the day after legalising your documents. You will know the time scale better when you go to the marriage office to book the appointment .

    Good luck
  • VickohVickoh
    Hello

    We are travelling to Turkey in May and are planning to get married while we are there. I understand all the legalities but I am struggling to find a venue. We only want a very simple ceremony and so I don't really want to pay a wedding planner as we don't want all the extras that seem to be in the packages. Our hotel does not do wedding ceremonies. Can anyone help please?
  • VickohVickoh
    I should add ...... We are staying at the Mukarnas Resort & Spa so venues close to there if anyone knows of any please :-)
  • AlethiaAlethia
    edited November 2013
    Vickoh , the Mukarnas Resort and Spa hotel is a great place to stay however it is located in Okurcalar which a very small place and there is not much to see or do outside of the hotel. 

    I believe you will need to marry in Alanya which is 30 minutes down the road. Here is the contact for the Alanya Registry office http://www.alanya.bel.tr/belediye/organizasyon.asp?pID=14  Email or call the contact and they will assist you. 

    There are hundreds of great restaurants in Alanya who would gladly cater for your wedding reception just ask here are some restaurants listed on Trip Advisor. http://www.tripadvisor.co.uk/Restaurants-g297961-Alanya_Turkish_Mediterranean_Coast.html

    My parents own an apartment south of  Alanya and we have been to many restaurants over the years but not knowing your taste its hard to recommend. Some restaurants will also have the ceremony on their premises so you do not have to go to the registry office which is a bit grim. They can also arrange your wedding cake. Good luck.

  • VickohVickoh
    That's great! Thank you very much for your help :-)
  • alisaidoalisaido
    You should have a look at www.turkeyweddings.com
    İts a company of a friend of mine.
    They organise beautiful wedding especially in cappadocia. You can also see the wedding they already organised
  • SebnemSebnem
    edited January 2014
    Marrying in Turkey might be a dream for many foreigners, because the country offers many idyllic sites, beaches, resorts, and great cities depending on your preferences for the places of a Wedding. Good thing is that you can start your honeymoon right after your wedding without losing any time; maybe taking a private tour or a Gulet cruise in the Aegean Sea

    Turkey provide a complete kaleidoscope of exciting opportunities 
    More importantly, a wonderful climate, turquoise waters of Aegean and Mediterranean Seas and the coastline, wealthy accommodation options with reasonable budget ,traditional Turkish hospitality, spirit of tolarance, warm and friendly communication, delicious foods, stunning landscape make our guests feel better and happy.

    Please feel free to contact  www.marriageinturkey.com for your any requests. 


  • austinbaustinb
    edited January 2014

  • austinbaustinb
    edited January 2014
    we are visiting the USA in August 2013 and will be
    returning 2014 to get married, we are looking for a wedding planner who
    can help us with the legalities and organization.



    ___________________
    Bribie Island Accommodation
  • AlethiaAlethia
    Austin,
    Turkey is a huge country, so you need to confirm which area or place you want to marry before you will be able to find a wedding planner.
  • SebnemSebnem
    edited January 2014
    Dear Austin,

    I would like to help you  I am a wedding planner inTurkey. We do wedding organisations in any place you wish to be. Our base is South Eagean & Mediterranean but we give services in İstanbul and in Cappadocia too.  Please feel free to share your request  with me. I am happy to give you all consultancy about the area, venues, paper work etc. before you make your desicion. Regards.

    please have a look www.marriageinturkey.com  email: info@marriageinturkey.com 
  • SebnemSebnem
    Hi Alethia ,

    I would like to know about you. Are you doing wedding? Where is your base and do you have a web page.please. Thanks.
  • AlethiaAlethia
    edited January 2014
    Hi Sebnem, no I am not a wedding planner, I am an immigration and human rights lawyer based in the UK. 
    http://astonlawpractice.com/ Aston Law Practice based in Birmingam UK
    I have assisted many British and Europeans to bring their Turkish husband and wives to the United Kingdom and Ireland.
    On a personal note I have been married to my Turkish husband for several years and have travelled to many parts of Turkey and attended quite a few Turkish weddings.
    :)
  • leena11leena11
    Hi Alethia

    I was hoping i could get your help again, me and my fiance did not marry in November however we hope to go to Turkey soon to do so. My fiance is Syrian and currently in Saudi Arabia, i am british.

    My question is, does my fiance need a certificate of no impediment? He has obtained a document which states all his personal information and confirms his marital status as single the document is dated so the Turkish government can be sure that this is recent information. Is this sufficient?
  • leena11leena11
    The document confirms his name date of birth, place of birth, parents details and confirms that the information has been extracted from the civil register and has the date.
  • AlethiaAlethia
    A certificate of no impediment is a European document so your fiance will have to use the document you mention. Normally this document would be certified at the Syrian Embassy but I am not sure its open due to the civil war. Once certified and translated into Turkish you both take your documents to the Governor's office in Istanbul to be ratified. 

    If the Syrian Embassy is closed take your partners documents to a Turkish notary.

    Syrian Embassy
    Sad No. 59/5
    Tesvikiy
    İstanbul
    TurkeyPHONELOCAL: (0212) 232.6721
    INTERNATIONAL: +90.212.232.6721
    FAXLOCAL: (0212) 230.2215
    INTERNATIONAL: +90.212.230.2215

  • leena11leena11
    Thank you for your help again :)
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