Getting Police Certificate (Criminal Clearance Report) in Turkey
Under Turkish law, individuals can request the expungement of their criminal record five years after a conviction. The right against self-incrimination is protected under Article 76 of the Turkish Constitution, ensuring that criminal records remain private and accessible only to the convicted person or the Attorney General’s Office.
1. What is a Criminal Record (Police Certificate) in Turkey?
A criminal record (police clearance certificate) is an official document issued by Turkish authorities confirming whether a person has a criminal history. This document is often required for:
- Visa applications
- Employment background checks
- Citizenship and residency applications
The certificate is issued only in Turkish, but can be translated and apostilled for international use.
2. How to Obtain a Criminal Record in Turkey?
For Turkish Citizens:
If you live in Turkey:
- Apply at the General Prosecutor’s Office (Adliye) in any city.
- The process takes a few hours.
If you live outside of Turkey:
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Apply at your nearest Turkish Embassy or Consulate.
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Or send a written request to the Turkish Ministry of Justice:
Türkiye Cumhuriyeti
Adalet Bakanlığı
Adli Sicil Genel Müdürlüğü
Tuna Caddesi No.10, Ankara, Turkey
For Foreign Nationals:
If you live in Turkey:
- Apply at the General Prosecutor’s Office (Adliye) in the city where you reside.
- You must provide your Turkish residence permit ID number.
- For Arabic names, using an ID number helps prevent issues with digital system searches.
If you live outside of Turkey:
- Apply at the nearest Turkish Embassy or Consulate.
- Or send a written request to the Turkish Ministry of Justice in Ankara.
3. Power of Attorney for Criminal Record Requests
A registered lawyer in Turkey can apply for a criminal record on behalf of a client if they have a notarized power of attorney.
- Lawyers must be registered with the Union of Turkish Bar Associations (Barobirlik).
- If in Istanbul, you can find a registered lawyer through the Istanbul Bar Association (Attorney Search).
4. Apostille and Legalization of Criminal Record
For international validity, a criminal record certificate may require:
- Apostille Certification (if the foreign country is part of the Hague Apostille Convention).
- Consular Authentication (if the country does not recognize apostille).
The apostille stamp can be obtained from the Turkish Governorship (Valilik).
5. How Long Does It Take to Get a Criminal Record in Turkey?
- Same-day processing is available for in-person applications at the General Prosecutor’s Office.
- Embassy and mail applications may take longer (depending on postal services and embassy processing times).
6. Conclusion: Key Points on Obtaining a Criminal Record in Turkey
- Criminal records are private and only accessible to the individual or the Attorney General’s Office.
- Lawyers can request the document with a notarized power of attorney.
- Foreigners must provide a valid Turkish ID number to avoid issues.
- Documents need an apostille or consular authentication for international use.
If you need assistance obtaining a police clearance certificate in Turkey, consulting a lawyer experienced in Turkish legal procedures is recommended.
