Family Law
International Divorce and Recognition & Enforcement Cases
ServiceFamily Law
Many Turkish citizens or dual nationals today go through marriage and divorce processes abroad.
However, a foreign divorce decree is not automatically valid in Turkey. Even if finalized in another country, such a decision must be recognized in Turkey; otherwise, you are still legally considered married in official Turkish records.
This creates serious legal and administrative obstacles to:
Remarrying in Turkey, Inheriting or being inherited
Updating civil registry records, Accessing social security rights, Resolving marital property matters
To avoid these complications, foreign divorce rulings must be legally recognized and, if needed, enforced in Turkey through a court process.
However, a foreign divorce decree is not automatically valid in Turkey. Even if finalized in another country, such a decision must be recognized in Turkey; otherwise, you are still legally considered married in official Turkish records.
This creates serious legal and administrative obstacles to:
Remarrying in Turkey, Inheriting or being inherited
Updating civil registry records, Accessing social security rights, Resolving marital property matters
To avoid these complications, foreign divorce rulings must be legally recognized and, if needed, enforced in Turkey through a court process.
What Are Recognition and Enforcement?
- Recognition Case (Tanıma Davası):
Aimed at having a foreign divorce decree officially acknowledged in Turkey. If the ruling does not involve financial obligations, a recognition case is sufficient. - Enforcement Case (Tenfiz Davası):
Required if the foreign court decision includes enforceable elements like alimony, compensation, or property division. It allows these rulings to be executed under Turkish law.
Who Should File These Cases?
- Individuals divorced abroad but still listed as married in Turkey
- Those wishing to remarry but are officially still “married” in Turkish records
- People who want to enforce alimony, compensation, or property division rulings in Turkey
- Parents seeking recognition of foreign decisions on custody, visitation, or child support
Seamless Process with Professional Legal Support
At Main Consulting, we guide Turkish citizens — especially those divorced in Europe — through the recognition and enforcement processes by:
- Assisting with required documents: court decision, finalization certificate, translations, apostille, etc.
- Filing and managing the recognition/enforcement case on your behalf in Turkey
- Carrying out the process without requiring you to travel to Turkey or visit the consulate
- Ensuring your marital status is updated in Turkish population records and official databases
Why You Shouldn’t Delay This Process?
Failure to complete recognition/enforcement may:
- Prevent you from legally remarrying
- Invalidate future marriages in Turkey
- Cause loss of inheritance rights
- Block enforcement of alimony or compensation
That’s why timely recognition of your foreign divorce is critically important.
We Make It Easy for You
Living abroad does not prevent you from asserting your legal rights in Turkey.
With our experienced international law team, we handle the entire process remotely — quickly, securely, and lawfully.
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