Criminal Record Deletion in Turkey for Foreign Nationals

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Foreign nationals who have been convicted of a crime in Turkey may face significant legal and practical consequences as a result of their criminal record. These consequences may include visa issues, difficulties with residence permits, employment restrictions, or obstacles when applying for citizenship in other countries.

Under Turkish law, it is possible to request the deletion (or expungement) of a criminal record under certain legal conditions. At Cindemir Law Office, we assist foreign clients in preparing and filing criminal record deletion requests in accordance with Turkish legal procedures.

🔹 What Is a Criminal Record in Turkey?

In Turkey, criminal records are managed by the General Directorate of Criminal Records and Statistics under the Ministry of Justice. A person’s conviction becomes part of their adli sicil kaydı (judicial record) once the court decision is finalized.

These records include:

  • The type of offense

  • The relevant article(s) of the Turkish Penal Code

  • The sentence imposed and its duration

  • The enforcement status (served, suspended, converted to a fine, etc.)

🔹 Can Foreigners Request Criminal Record Deletion?

Yes. Foreign citizens who were convicted in Turkey and whose sentences have been fully executed, converted, or subject to probation, may request that their record be deleted from the judicial system, provided that:

  • The legal waiting period (if any) has passed

  • There are no ongoing legal prohibitions or pending investigations

  • The conditions set forth in Law No. 5352 on Criminal Records are met

The deletion applies to judicial records, not to security or intelligence files.

🔹 Legal Basis

Criminal record deletion in Turkey is primarily governed by:

  • Law No. 5352 on Criminal Records and Archive Records

  • Article 13 of the same law (on deletion upon fulfillment of sentence)

  • Related provisions of the Turkish Penal Code and Code of Criminal Procedure

If the individual has completed their sentence and does not have further restrictions imposed by a court, they may request deletion.

🔹 How Does the Process Work?

  1. Petition Preparation: A written application is prepared, either by the individual or their attorney.

  2. Submission: The petition is submitted to the Chief Public Prosecutor’s Office in the city where the individual resides or was convicted.

  3. Review: The Prosecutor’s Office reviews whether the legal requirements have been met.

  4. Decision: If approved, the record is removed from the national database. In some cases, archive records may remain for limited purposes (e.g., public security), but these are not shown on official certificates.

🔹 Documents Required

🔹 Why Deletion Matters for Foreigners

Many foreign nationals seek to delete their Turkish criminal record for the following reasons:

  • To avoid rejection of visa or residency applications

  • To prevent issues with Interpol, Schengen visa, or immigration background checks

  • To restore eligibility for business, study, or family reunification purposes

  • To clear their legal status before applying for Turkish citizenship or permits

📞 How We Can Help

At Cindemir Law Office, we represent foreign nationals in criminal record deletion proceedings before Turkish prosecutors and courts. We also:

✅ Verify sentence enforcement status
✅ Draft and submit deletion petitions in Turkish
✅ Handle representation with a valid power of attorney
✅ Provide certified translations and consular support if needed
✅ Communicate with judicial authorities on behalf of clients abroad