Frequently Asked Questions About Acquisition of Turkish Citizenship Through Adoption

Can a foreign child adopted in Turkey acquire Turkish citizenship?
Is Turkish citizenship automatically acquired through adoption in Turkey?
After adopting a foreign child in Turkey, must an application for citizenship be submitted?
Within what time frame must a citizenship application be made for an adopted child in Turkey?
Can a citizenship application be submitted before the adoption decision is finalized in Turkey?
Until what age can a foreign child adopted in Turkey apply for Turkish citizenship?
Is parental consent required for a foreign child adopted in Turkey?
Where should the citizenship application be submitted after adoption in Turkey?
How is the public order suitability of a foreign child adopted in Turkey evaluated?
How many months does the citizenship application process through adoption take in Turkey?
What documents are required for citizenship application after adoption in Turkey?
How is the birth certificate of a foreign child born outside Turkey used in Turkey?
What should be done if the citizenship application through adoption is rejected in Turkey?
Does it create a problem if the adopted child has citizenship of another country in Turkey?
Is notarized translation of foreign documents mandatory for citizenship application in Turkey?
How long does the adoption process usually take in Turkey?
Is the consent of a child older than 12 years necessary to acquire citizenship in Turkey?
Is there a residence requirement after citizenship is acquired by a foreign child adopted in Turkey?
Is a lawyer mandatory in the adoption and citizenship process in Turkey?
How does KL Legal Consultancy assist in citizenship applications through adoption in Turkey?

The Effect of Adopting a Foreign Person on Turkish Citizenship in Turkey

How does the adoption of a foreigner affect the acquisition of Turkish citizenship?

Foreign children adopted by Turkish citizens in Turkey may have the right to acquire Turkish citizenship under certain conditions. However, there is a widespread misconception in the public that this process occurs automatically. According to the legislation of the Republic of Turkey, for an adopted foreigner to acquire citizenship, both the adoption decision must be finalized and a separate citizenship application must be made afterwards.

Article 17 of the Turkish Citizenship Law No. 5901 provides that minors adopted by Turkish citizens may be granted citizenship provided that they do not pose an obstacle in terms of national security and public order. The important detail here is that the acquisition of citizenship is not “direct,” but occurs “by decision of the competent authority.” This shows that the process must be managed at both administrative and legal levels.

It should be noted that the adoption process does not directly confer Turkish citizenship. Citizenship application can only be made after the adoption decision is finalized. Moreover, for the application to be approved, the individual must not pose a risk in terms of public order and national security, and all necessary documents must be submitted in accordance with procedure.

In this process, legal supports such as “Izmir citizenship lawyer” and “Turkey citizenship application” are utilized to ensure the smooth conduct of the application. Acquisition of citizenship is possible not only through adoption but also through completing this process with a proper application.

Conditions and Legal Process for Foreign Adoption in Turkey

What conditions are required to adopt a foreigner in Turkey?

To adopt a foreign child in Turkey, the adoption process must first be carried out within the provisions of the Turkish Civil Code. It is legally possible for individuals or couples who are Turkish citizens to adopt a foreign child living in Turkey or abroad; however, this process is quite complex and includes numerous legal procedures.

Conditions such as the age, marital status, and parental consent of the child to be adopted are considered, as well as requirements that the adopter be at least 30 years old or have cared for the child for at least five years. The consent of the child is also mandatory after certain ages. If the child is not of age and still holds citizenship of their own country, permissions and documents from the relevant authorities of that country are also included in the process.

The adoption application is primarily submitted to the Family Court and is completed upon the court's decision. The court process is conducted based on the best interest of the child. However, when it concerns a foreign national child, institutions such as the Directorate General of Migration Management, the General Directorate of Population and Citizenship Affairs, and the foreign representations of the relevant country may also be involved.

Even the smallest procedural error in this complex process may lead to the rejection of both the adoption procedure and the subsequent citizenship application. Therefore, it is extremely important to obtain expert support such as a “Turkey citizenship lawyer” or “Izmir citizenship lawyer.” Professional consultancy not only speeds up the process but also ensures legal security.

How to Apply for Citizenship After the Adoption Decision in Turkey?

How is the Turkish citizenship application made for the adopted foreign child?

After the adoption procedure is finalized by a court decision, the transition process of the adopted foreign child to Turkish citizenship can be initiated. However, a critical point to consider here is that citizenship is not automatically acquired through adoption. An official application must also be submitted for the acquisition of citizenship.

According to Article 17 of the Turkish Citizenship Law No. 5901, foreigners adopted at a young age may be granted citizenship “by decision of the competent authority.” This application is generally made to the Provincial Directorate of Population and Citizenship. During the application, documents such as the finalized court decision on adoption, the population records of the adopter, identity documents of the adopted child, and notarized translations of birth records if any are requested.

An especially important matter in the application process is the evaluation regarding public order and national security. The background of the adopted foreigner, the situation of the country of citizenship, and many other factors may affect whether the application is approved or rejected. Therefore, although the adoption process may be completed, obtaining professional support during the administrative phase of the citizenship application is of great importance.

Incomplete notifications or incorrect document submissions during the application process may lead to serious delays or even rejections. Therefore, working with local experts such as “Karşıyaka citizenship application” or “Izmir citizenship lawyer” ensures the process is conducted efficiently and in accordance with the law.

Required Documents for Citizenship Application Through Adoption in Turkey

What documents are requested in citizenship applications through adoption in Turkey?

Those who wish to apply for Turkish citizenship through adoption must submit complete and accurate documents, which is the most critical stage of the process. Each document directly affects the evaluation of the application, and applications with missing or incorrect documents are generally rejected or prolonged.

The basic documents requested during the application are as follows:

Population registration sample of the Turkish citizen adopter
Finalized court decision on adoption (original and certified copy)
Birth certificate of the adopted child (with notarized Turkish translation)
Identity card or passport of the adopted child
Foreign identity number (if available)
Residence permit document (if the child is in Turkey)
2 biometric photographs
Application form (citizenship request form)
Evaluation reports showing that there is no obstacle in terms of public order and national security (conducted by the administration)

Besides the above documents, the Population and Citizenship Directorate of the applicant's province may request additional documents. It should be noted especially that documents obtained from the foreigner's country of citizenship must be submitted with Apostille certification and notarized translation.

At this stage, acting individually may cause serious errors for applicants. Considering the technical details and bureaucratic procedures involved in the “Turkey citizenship application” process, working with a professional “Turkey citizenship lawyer” ensures proper management of the process.

Which Authority Issues the Citizenship Decision for a Foreign Child Adopted in Turkey?

Which authority decides on the acceptance of the adopted foreigner to Turkish citizenship?

The acceptance of a foreign child adopted in Turkey to Turkish citizenship is an administrative procedure and the decision-making authority belongs directly to the Ministry of Interior. The application is made through the Provincial Directorate of Population and Citizenship, but the final evaluation and decision authority, within the scope of the Turkish Citizenship Law, is the Ministry of Interior.

When evaluating the citizenship application, the Ministry of Interior examines not only whether the documents are complete but also whether the applicant poses a risk in terms of public order and national security. Within this scope, evaluations are also made by the General Directorate of Security and intelligence units.

In citizenship applications through adoption, it is particularly important that the adoption decision is legally finalized and that the child is not yet of age. Also, making the application as soon as possible after the adoption date is important for the positive outcome of the application.

It should be remembered that deficiencies in documents, contradictory information, or negative findings in security investigations may result in the rejection of the application. Therefore, managing the application process with the support of a “Turkey citizenship lawyer” plays a critical role in the successful conclusion of the administrative process. In particular, knowing regional practices in local applications such as “Izmir citizenship application” provides a great advantage.

Reasons for Rejection of Citizenship Through Adoption in Turkey

Why can citizenship applications through adoption be rejected in Turkey?

Although citizenship application through adoption appears to be a legal right, this right is not absolute. According to the explicit provision of Turkish Citizenship Law No. 5901, fulfilling application requirements does not create a definite right to acquire citizenship. Whether the application is accepted or not is evaluated within the discretion of the administration.

Main reasons for rejection are:

Posing a risk to public order or national security: This is among the most important rejection grounds. The criminal record, foreign activities, or relationships of the adopted foreigner can be evaluated in this context.
Deficiency or forgery in documents: Missing, inconsistent, or forged documents cause immediate rejection of the application and legal proceedings may be initiated against the applicant.
Legal invalidity of the adoption decision: If the court decision is not finalized or there are procedural errors, the citizenship application may be considered invalid.
Passing the application deadline: If a long time passes without applying after the adoption decision, or if the application continues after the child becomes an adult, a rejection decision may be given.
Lack of the child's will to acquire citizenship: Although the opinion of the minor child is not mandatory, the consent of children after certain ages becomes important. This is especially considered for children aged 12 and over.

All these possible rejection reasons demonstrate that the process must be conducted seriously and carefully. Therefore, obtaining consultancy from specialized lawyers such as “Izmir citizenship lawyer” or “Turkey citizenship application” experts plays a critical role in the success of the application.

The Importance of Legal Consultancy in the Citizenship Process Through Adoption in Turkey

Why should legal support be obtained in citizenship applications through adoption in Turkey?

Acquisition of Turkish citizenship through adoption is not a simple administrative procedure but a multi-stage process involving legal, bureaucratic, and security evaluations. Especially in citizenship applications made after adopting a foreigner, compliance with procedure is the most decisive factor. Therefore, working with an expert “Turkey citizenship lawyer” is not only a convenience but almost a necessity.

Every mistake made from the beginning of the process may cause rejection of the application, prolong the process for years, or even lead to legal problems. Preparation of complete and accurate documents, filling out application forms in accordance with legislation, substantiating application petitions, and making defenses in accordance with public order and security evaluations require expertise.

Furthermore, due to differences in practice observed in each province, working with a local “Izmir citizenship lawyer” who has local experience provides a great advantage, especially in applications to be made in Izmir and its surroundings. Law firms experienced in this field such as KL Legal Consultancy ensure that applications are conducted lawfully and strategically from start to finish.

The citizenship process through adoption in Turkey has a complex structure and directly affects the future of both the child and the adopter. Therefore, instead of trying to manage the process alone, obtaining professional support saves time and significantly increases the possibility of a positive outcome.

You can obtain professional consultancy from KL Legal Consultancy to ensure that your Turkish citizenship application process is conducted completely and correctly. You can contact our expert lawyers to protect your legal rights in the best possible way.

Turkish Citizenship by Adoption