The birth registration procedure for children born under a licensed marriage in Turkey is easy. It falls within the Census Services Law No. 4590, Civil Code No. 4721 in Turkey. The Code of Regulations on the Implementation of Census Services Law emphasizes the birth procedures for children who are born in a connubial union.

All the citizens residing in Turkey must register themselves in the census records. Additionally, holding a Turkish Identification Card is a national requirement. When a child is born within the borders of Turkey, it is the responsibility of the parents, trustees of the guardians to register the child. This way, the minor will be able to obtain a Turkish Identification Card.

Overseas Child Registration

Under Article 68 of the Law on Census Services, if a child born outside the borders of Turkey to Turkish parents, a notification must be made. This notification should be made to the Embassy or the Consulate General of the country the child is born in. The parents are given a time period of 60 days after the birth after which a penalty will be charged. This penalty is an administrative fee, the amount of which is decided by the Ministry of Finance. The ministry determines the administrative penalty charge at the start of every calendar year defined in the Turkish Lira. The penalty rate is a question to change on the exchange rate of the day the expense is incurred.

This overseas birth notification has to be made by either one of the parents. The procedure is simple, the parent sends the Birth Certificate to the relevant diplomatic mission of Turkey-based in the country of the birth of the child. The mission then takes over and send the birth certificate along with other relevant documents to the Civil Registry Office in Turkey. The date of registration is the same day when the documents are mailed to Turkey.

The Registration Process

Principally, the consulate or the embassy of Turkey present in the birth country of the child is responsible for the registration process. On the other hand, if the parents notify a Turkish Mission not present in the birth country, the registration process will differ. In such a case, the birth country of the child must be included in the International Commission on Civil Status Convention. This is in addition to the exemption from the Legalization of certain records and documents

However, if the parents fail to notify the embassy or any Turkish mission present in the birth country of the child, the parents can send the original birth certificate translated in Turkish to the relevant authorities. Keeping in mind the Law on the Adoption and Application of Turkish Letters under Article 3, the alphabets must be in accordance. If the name of the child includes the letters q, w, and x, the certificate will not be accepted. Since these three letters do not exist in the Turkish language.

Non-Turkish Parent

In case one parent of the child is Turkish and the other one is not, a different process takes place. If the nationality of the other parent is part of the International Commission on Civil Status Convention, the name of the child will be accepted.

Child Born in Lawful Wedlock

The child is given the name of the husband when born in lawful marriage. However, if the marriage is terminated, the child will still get the name of the father within the three hundred days of separation. According to the law, a child born or conceived within a lawful marriage is considered wedlock and the husband is considered the father.

It is presumed that the husband is the father of the child regardless of whether he is not. Therefore, the child is registered as the descendants of the husband. However, the husband is given the right to file a lawsuit called the “denial of paternity”. In addition, he can also request the court to determine the linkage between the child and himself. This option is given to the husband in order to protect his interests and rights.

Required Documents for Birth Registration

Individuals of couples who wish to register their child in Turkish from an overseas country will need the following documents:

• An original copy of a birth certificate from an overseas country.
• Original copies and clear photocopies of their Turkish Identification Cards - T.C. Nüfus cüzdanı. Additionally, if the parents have foreign IDs, copies of those will also be required.
• Original copy or a clear photocopy of the marriage licence issued by a competent authority.

Expenditure

The total expenses faced by the parents of registering their child when he or she is born overseas is not high. Around USD $21.10 has to be paid for the process to be completed within a short frame of time. This rate depends on the exchange rate of the day the expenses are incurred.