Frequently Asked Questions About the Trade Registry System and MERSİS in Turkey

Why is it mandatory to register with the trade registry in Turkey?
Can a company be established in Turkey without a trade registry?
How to apply for the trade registry in Turkey?
What is the MERSİS system in Turkey and what is its purpose?
How to obtain a MERSİS number in Turkey?
How is the MERSİS system used to establish a company in Turkey?
Which transactions can be performed via MERSİS in Turkey?
How do foreign-partnered companies register with the trade registry in Turkey?
What documents do foreign investors need for MERSİS procedures in Turkey?
How long do trade registry procedures take in Turkey?
What should be done if a MERSİS application is rejected in Turkey?
What should be considered regarding the trade registry registration of foreign-partnered companies in Turkey?
What happens if incorrect information is entered into the MERSİS system in Turkey?
What is the relationship between trade registry and tax registration in Turkey?
Do errors in the MERSİS system affect the investment process in Turkey?
Do foreign investors need a lawyer for trade registry procedures in Turkey?
Is a power of attorney required for trade registry registration procedures in Turkey?
How is trade registry updating done in Turkey?
What happens if business activities start without trade registry registration in Turkey?
How does KL Legal Consultancy support trade registry and MERSİS procedures in Turkey?

What is the Trade Registry System in Turkey and Why is it Necessary?

Why is it mandatory for companies to register with the trade registry in Turkey?

For the commercial life in Turkey to operate in an orderly, transparent, and reliable manner, it is mandatory for every capital company to record its activities in official records. This system is called the "Trade Registry" and is conducted by trade registry directorates operating under chambers of commerce across the country.

Registration with the trade registry is mandatory for a company to be legally established and to acquire official legal entity status. Without completing the trade registry registration process, a company cannot legally exist; therefore, it cannot issue invoices, open bank accounts, enter into contracts, or perform other commercial transactions. In other words, for a company to effectively start operating, the trade registry registration must be completed.

The trade registry also ensures the principle of public disclosure. All basic information such as the company's partners, capital, representatives, trade name, and business purpose is recorded here. This establishes trust towards third parties and increases the predictability of commercial life.

Especially for foreign investors, the trade registry is the fundamental basis for legal presence and commercial activities in Turkey. Therefore, even small mistakes during the company establishment process can cause major problems later.

To carry out these procedures accurately and swiftly, it is a great advantage to act with the support of a Turkey foreign nationals law lawyer or an Izmir foreign nationals law lawyer.

What is the Purpose of the MERSİS System in Turkey?

What is the MERSİS system in Turkey and what is its effect on trade registry procedures?

The system that enables companies in Turkey to conduct trade registry procedures digitally is called MERSİS (Central Registration System). This system allows many transactions, from company establishment to trade name changes, from address updates to share transfers, to be performed electronically. MERSİS is operated by the Ministry of Trade and is used as a common infrastructure across all trade registry directorates in Turkey.

The main objective of MERSİS is to centralize trade registry procedures, carry them out quickly and transparently, and to collect company information in a secure database. Individuals or foreign investors wishing to establish a company first create an application through this system. The application number generated in the system then forms the basis for the physical applications to the relevant trade registry directorate.

Moreover, every company receives a unique MERSİS number through the system. This number is used like a tax number in all commercial transactions and official correspondence with public institutions. This number, which serves as the company's digital identity, ensures the verifiability and tracking of official documents.

In companies with foreign partners, correct use of the system is even more critical. The smallest data entry error in the system can cause contradictions between documents and delay the application process for months. Therefore, conducting the process with the support of a Turkey foreign nationals law lawyer or an expert proficient in technical procedures significantly facilitates the process and eliminates potential rejection risks.

How Are MERSİS and Trade Registry Procedures Carried Out in Company Establishment in Turkey?

How are MERSİS and trade registry applications made for those who want to establish a company in Turkey?

For natural or legal persons wishing to establish a company in Turkey, the process is now almost fully digitalized. The first step is to log into the MERSİS system and record the basic information of the company to be established (trade name, address, capital, partnership structure, business purpose, etc.) into the system. The entries made at this stage form the basis of the documents to be physically submitted later at the trade registry directorate.

After completing the application created in the system, documents such as the application form, articles of association, and signature declarations are prepared using the MERSİS number. After all documents are completed, the application is submitted to the trade registry directorate to which the company's headquarters is affiliated. The trade registry examines the submitted documents for compliance with legislation and officially registers the company if no deficiency or error is detected.

This process requires more attention in foreign-partnered companies. Passport translations, notarizations, apostille procedures, and powers of attorney of foreign partners are also included in the process. Additionally, in some cases, a certificate of activity from the foreign company where the foreign partner is a founder or documents related to representation authority may also be requested.

Each of these procedures must be conducted carefully and correctly. Otherwise, both the MERSİS system and the trade registry directorate may reject the application or suspend the process. Therefore, conducting the company establishment under the guidance of an Izmir foreign nationals law lawyer or a Turkey foreign nationals law lawyer from the beginning prevents loss of time and costs and ensures the secure completion of the process.

What Should Foreign-Partnered Companies Pay Attention to During the Registration Process in Turkey?

What should foreign-partnered companies be careful about in the trade registry and MERSİS process in Turkey?

Although establishing a foreign-partnered company in Turkey is similar to domestic companies in terms of legislation, it requires more documents, more procedures, and more attention in practice. Trade registry directorates and the MERSİS system act much more sensitively in foreign-partnered applications because such procedures directly affect public order, the tax system, and foreign investment.

First of all, all documents belonging to foreign partners must be submitted with sworn translations, notarized, and apostilled if necessary. Additionally, each of these documents must be entered into the MERSİS system accurately and completely. Even the smallest typographical error or mistranslation in the system can be grounds for rejection by the trade registry directorate.

Secondly, in some cases, special regulations regarding the representation authorities of foreign partners are required. Especially if foreign legal entities are partners, documents showing the authority of the company's representative must be submitted in detail and legally validated. Otherwise, the trade registry may not accept that person.

Another common mistake of foreign investors is to underestimate bureaucratic procedures in Turkey or to act with incomplete information. However, trade registry procedures not only involve submitting documents but also a review process that includes legal analysis of the documents.

Therefore, having the trade registry and MERSİS process of foreign-partnered companies carried out by an expert Turkey foreign nationals law lawyer both ensures quick completion of procedures and prevents possible rejection, cancellation, or delays.

The Importance of Lawyer Support in Trade Registry and MERSİS Procedures

Why is it advantageous to work with a lawyer in trade registry and MERSİS procedures in Turkey?

Although trade registry and MERSİS procedures may seem digitalized and standardized, especially in foreign-partnered companies, these procedures can become complex processes requiring legal expertise. A wrong application, a mistranslated document, or incomplete information entered into the system can prolong the application process or even lead to complete rejection.

An expert Turkey foreign nationals law lawyer plays an active role not only in preparing documents but also in monitoring the entire process. They ensure the flawless completion of apostille, notarization, and translation processes according to the investor's nationality. They also ensure that the company structure is configured according to the legal framework when entering data into the MERSİS system.

Lawyer support is important not only for technical accuracy but also strategically. Decisions such as which type of company to choose, how to structure management authorities, and how to show the capital structure directly affect the company's future. Not receiving legal consultancy in making these decisions may lead to internal disputes, representation authority issues, or audit problems in the future.

In short, a safe and sustainable investment in Turkey is possible not only by establishing the company but by establishing it legally correctly and completely. Therefore, by benefiting from the professional support offered by KL Legal Consultancy in trade registry and MERSİS procedures, you can carry out your transactions quickly, smoothly, and under legal assurance.