There are 2 ways to acquire Turkish citizenship: by birth or after birth. One of the ways to acquire Turkish citizenship after birth is to marry a Turkish citizen. However, this way does not provide the right to become a Turkish citizen directly. Certain procedures must be applied for the acquisition of Turkish citizenship.
Law no. 5901 on Turkish Citizenship defines the principles and the procedures related to the acquisition of Turkish citizenship by means of marriage. If a foreign national marries a Turkish citizen, he/she can get a residence permit if he/she meets certain conditions. Marriage must be valid according to Turkish law. The parties must take marriage certificate and vital record.
In accordance with the text of Citizenship Law No. 5901, foreign nationals must have certain conditions to become citizen through marriage.
- Person who has been married to a Turkish citizen for at least 3 years and whose marriage continues, may apply for acquisition of Turkish citizenship,
- Spouses must live together as a family,
- Foreigner must refrain from any activity incompatible with being a family,
- Foreigner must not to be in a situation that poses an obstacle with respect to national security and public order.
In the event that the foreigner provides the above conditions, the spouses can apply for citizenship to the governorates where they reside.