Surrogacy—whether traditional or gestational—is prohibited in Turkey as a matter of statutory regulation, public policy and medical-ethics guidance, and private contracts attempting to create a surrogacy arrangement are considered invalid and unenforceable. This is frequently misunderstood by foreign couples who assume that assisted reproduction options operate similarly across jurisdictions; they do not. Turkish law centers parentage on birth, with the legal mother defined as the woman who gives birth, and this rule interacts with civil registry practice, hospital protocols, and court decisions. Attempting to organize surrogacy within Turkey risks administrative and potentially criminal consequences for participants and intermediaries, and cross-border surrogacy adds separate layers of recognition and citizenship complexity. Our purpose in this guide is to state the legal position clearly, outline the practical risks (including recognition/tenfiz uncertainties for foreign judgments), and direct readers to lawful alternatives such as adoption—see our primer on the adoption process in Turkey. If you require a confidential, evidence-led assessment of your situation, engage an experienced law firm in Istanbul and a responsive lawyer in Turkey who can coordinate documents, translations, and timelines while keeping expectations grounded; practice may vary by court/authority and year.
Because this is a sensitive area that touches family hopes, medical information, and children’s rights, we write with empathy but also with non-negotiable clarity: Turkish public policy does not permit surrogacy, and efforts to “contract around” this outcome are routinely rejected in administrative and judicial settings. Hospitals and civil registry offices are trained to apply birth-based parentage rules; attempts to list commissioning parents as legal parents at birth run into system and policy barriers. Cross-border programs marketed online rarely explain the complexities of recognition in Turkey, including the potential refusal of foreign surrogacy orders on public-policy grounds. Managing expectations early avoids harmful surprises at the border, at the nüfus (civil registry), or during passport applications. A meticulous English speaking lawyer in Turkey can help you map lawful paths and protect privacy (KVKK) across every step.
Finally, data protection and document discipline are essential. Health information and child identity data are special-category personal data under Turkish privacy law (KVKK); they must be processed minimally, securely, and lawfully, especially when files include foreign medical reports, clinic contracts, or court orders. Sworn translations are often necessary for any document you intend to present to Turkish authorities—see our translation guidance—and where one spouse will interact with hospitals or authorities on behalf of the other, a narrowly drafted mandate can be helpful; see our POA explainer. Coordinating these basics with an ethical Turkish Law Firm and seasoned Turkish lawyers keeps your family’s private information protected while you explore legal alternatives.
Why This Topic Matters (Expectations vs. Turkish Law)
Families planning parenthood across borders often read generalized blogs or marketing pages that present surrogacy as a portable service with simple paperwork; in Turkey, that assumption is incorrect. The country’s health-law framework and family-law doctrines reject the notion that gestation can be separated contractually from legal motherhood for the purpose of civil status at birth. This position reflects a combination of public-order policy, ethical concerns about commodification and exploitation, and a preference for clear, administrable rules around parentage. Consequently, there is no lawful pathway to arrange surrogacy domestically in Turkey through private clinics or private contracts, and efforts to do so tend to create downstream problems with birth registration and travel documents rather than solutions.
The implications are practical. Hospitals will record the woman who gives birth as the mother, and the civil registry will mirror that entry when issuing the initial birth record. Any deviation requires a legal basis acceptable to Turkish authorities, and surrogacy contracts do not supply it. Commissioning parents who proceed abroad should understand that Turkish authorities may evaluate the resulting documents under Turkish public policy, not the foreign clinic’s assurances. Timelines, documentation expectations, and discretionary practices can vary—practice may vary by court/authority and year—so case-specific legal advice is essential before committing funds to foreign programs.
Expectations also need recalibration around privacy, consent, and disclosures. Clinics abroad may expect broad releases for medical data and genetic information; Turkish privacy law (KVKK) expects necessity and proportionality. If you move forward with any medical consultation outside Turkey, maintain a tight data trail: who has what, where it is stored, and how it will or will not be shared with Turkish authorities. Our overview of GDPR/KVKK compliance outlines practical safeguards that a careful Istanbul Law Firm will embed in your plan from day one.
Legal Status: Surrogacy Is Prohibited in Turkey (Public Policy & Ethics)
Turkish health and family-law norms treat surrogacy as contrary to public order and medical-ethics guidance; as a result, there is no licensing framework that would allow a clinic to provide surrogacy lawfully inside Turkey, and private agreements that attempt to do so are considered void. This policy extends to related practices such as commercial arrangements surrounding womb-for-carrying and to brokerage conduct that facilitates such arrangements domestically. Authorities view these prohibitions as child-protection measures and as safeguards against exploitation, and hospitals’ standard operating procedures reflect the same stance at the point of birth registration. In short, there is no compliant “workaround” inside Turkey.
These principles also intersect with assisted reproductive technology (ART) rules: while certain in-vitro fertilization (IVF) procedures for married heterosexual couples are regulated, egg and sperm donation and embryo donation are prohibited, and clinic participation in off-limits practices risks sanctions. Patients and intermediaries who try to organize surrogacy or donor-based cycles in Turkey encounter administrative barriers and potential penalties; clinics are required to follow the law, and advertising services that cannot be delivered lawfully can itself raise issues. Because guidance and enforcement intensity can evolve, applicants should assume variability in oversight details but not in the underlying prohibition; practice may vary by court/authority and year.
Businesses should note that online promotion of surrogacy in Turkey can mislead vulnerable readers and expose promoters to legal risk. Ethical counseling that steers families to lawful alternatives—such as adoption—is consistent with both legal and professional standards. If you are evaluating information you have seen online, ask for citations to Turkish law, not generic “international” explanations. A candid consult with a pragmatic lawyer in Turkey at a reputable law firm in Istanbul will separate marketing from enforceable reality.
Unenforceability of Surrogacy Agreements (Civil & Possible Criminal Angles)
Private surrogacy contracts have no legal effect in Turkey. Parties cannot lawfully agree to transfer legal motherhood away from the birth mother, and any payment clauses or custody-transfer promises contained in such contracts are unenforceable. Attempting to implement them at a hospital or registry invites refusal and can trigger notifications to authorities. Where disputes arise, courts prioritize public order and child welfare over private intent; the best-interest standard governs outcomes, not the terms of an invalid contract. Families should avoid signing documents that create expectations the legal system will not honor.
Depending on circumstances, intermediaries or participants could face administrative sanctions or other consequences if conduct is interpreted as facilitating prohibited medical practices or false declarations to public bodies. Each case turns on its facts; this guide does not generalize liability. The key practical point is that crossing legal red lines to accomplish surrogacy in Turkey is counterproductive and risky. If you have encountered pressure to sign or prepay for services represented as available in Turkey, seek immediate legal advice and preserve communications as evidence.
Confidential legal planning can redirect energy to lawful routes. If the goal is to become parents in Turkey, the domestic adoption track provides a clear, regulated pathway—see our detailed guide on adoption in Turkey. If the plan involves medical services abroad, obtain jurisdiction-specific advice on that country’s law and then a Turkish assessment focused on recognition risks, civil registry implications, and travel documentation—a coordinated approach run by a careful Turkish Law Firm and experienced Turkish lawyers reduces downstream harm.
Birth Registration and Parentage: Who Is the Legal Mother/Father?
In Turkish practice, the legal mother is the woman who gives birth. Hospitals prepare initial records on that basis, and civil registry (nüfus) entries follow. Commissioning parents cannot be recorded as the legal parents at birth on the strength of a private agreement. Where a male partner is the genetic father, paternity issues (acknowledgment or judicial determination with DNA) may arise case-by-case, but these do not alter the fundamental rule that legal motherhood follows birth. Any subsequent parentage adjustments must proceed through lawful mechanisms that respect public policy and the child’s best interests; guarantees are not possible, and timelines vary—practice may vary by court/authority and year.
Hospitals and registries are not the venue for debating surrogacy policy; their role is administrative. Staff will apply the rules they are trained to apply and will refer atypical situations to supervisory authorities. Attempting to coerce alternative entries or to present misleading paperwork is unwise and can create lasting problems for the child’s documentation. Families should plan responsibly and document every interaction carefully; if you anticipate complex parentage questions, consult counsel before birth events occur. Proper sequencing protects the child from avoidable bureaucratic stress.
For families already holding foreign documents that name them as parents in a surrogacy context, Turkish recognition standards—not foreign clinic letters—will govern civil effects in Turkey. That evaluation can be complex, touching recognition/tenfiz doctrine, public policy, and child-protection norms. A sober analysis by an experienced English speaking lawyer in Turkey is essential before attempting registrations or travel steps; where translations are needed, use sworn translators as outlined in our translation guide.
Attempting Surrogacy in Turkey: Practical Risks and Consequences
Attempting to organize surrogacy within Turkey—whether through private arrangements, unlicensed intermediaries, or misleading clinic offers—creates legal and practical exposure without producing a registrable parentage outcome. Hospitals will follow birth-based rules and civil registries will not substitute commissioning parents for the birth mother on the strength of a private document. Parties may also encounter administrative sanctions if conduct is interpreted as facilitating prohibited practices or if false statements are made to public bodies; exact outcomes are fact-specific and determined by competent authorities. The core point is simple: there is no compliant pathway to complete surrogacy domestically, and efforts to “force” the system typically result in refusals that delay or jeopardize documentation for the child. For measured next steps that respect Turkish law, speak with an experienced lawyer in Turkey who will map lawful options and protect your family’s data.
Commercial offers that imply a Turkish work-around often collapse at the point of birth registration, leaving families to navigate emergency paperwork. Because health data and child identity data are sensitive, any scramble increases privacy risk and stress for the newborn. Keep in mind that private surrogacy contracts have no civil effect, payments cannot cure invalidity, and medical staff are required to use lawful forms. Families who have already entered agreements should stop, preserve communications, and seek independent counsel before taking further steps; a reputable law firm in Istanbul will triage documents, explain immediate risks, and plan a rights-respecting route forward. Where cross-border consequences are in play, prudence now averts larger problems later; practice may vary by court/authority and year.
Finally, beware of informal advice urging creative declarations, alternate hospital entries, or improvised affidavits. Such tactics can compound issues by creating inconsistent records that later courts must untangle. If a third party pushes you to sign untranslated forms, decline politely and request sworn translations—see our note on legal translation services in Turkey. Where one spouse must interact with health providers or authorities on behalf of the other, use a narrow, task-specific mandate prepared correctly; our primer on powers of attorney explains safe scopes. Responsible planning with an ethical Turkish Law Firm and diligent Turkish lawyers is the only defensible approach in a prohibited field.
IVF/ART Landscape: What Is Permitted vs. Prohibited (Egg/Sperm Donation, Embryo Rules)
Turkey regulates assisted reproductive technologies (ART) for eligible married heterosexual couples under a framework that permits certain IVF treatments while prohibiting others. Practices such as surrogacy, egg donation, sperm donation, and embryo donation are prohibited; clinics cannot lawfully offer or advertise these services. Within permitted IVF, clinics follow medical-ethics and recordkeeping rules, and patients sign consent forms that reflect Turkish law and public policy. Families should distinguish clearly between lawful IVF care and prohibited third-party reproduction; conflating them leads to misunderstandings at hospitals and registries. If a clinic or intermediary suggests that donation or surrogacy can be arranged “quietly” inside Turkey, seek independent legal counsel immediately.
Cross-border medical tourism complicates the picture because some nearby jurisdictions allow forms of donation or surrogacy that Turkey prohibits. Even if a foreign clinic can lawfully provide a service abroad, importing the civil effects of that service into Turkey is a separate legal question evaluated under Turkish public policy. Couples considering treatment outside Turkey should obtain jurisdiction-specific medical-legal advice in the destination country and a separate Turkish analysis of recognition and registry implications. Coordinated, bilingual documentation and a clear privacy plan reduce downstream risk. A meticulous English speaking lawyer in Turkey can stage evidence and advise on what Turkish authorities will and will not accept.
Throughout ART, health data governance remains paramount. Consent forms, lab reports, and genetic testing results are special-category data under KVKK and must be processed minimally and securely. If foreign providers request broad data transfers, push for necessity and proportionality; our overview of GDPR/KVKK compliance outlines safeguards you can incorporate contractually. When documents will be used in Turkey, commission sworn translations in advance to avoid time pressure at authorities—see translation standards. Privacy-aware planning—typically coordinated by a careful Istanbul Law Firm—protects dignity while keeping the file usable if lawful alternatives such as adoption are pursued.
Cross-Border Surrogacy: Countries Allowing It and Turkey-Specific Risks
Some foreign jurisdictions allow surrogacy under court supervision or administrative procedures. Marketing materials frequently highlight these options without addressing the Turkish endgame: whether and how the resulting documents will be treated by Turkish authorities for registry, travel, or citizenship purposes. Turkey applies its own public-policy filter when asked to recognize foreign acts. Even when a foreign birth certificate or court order lists commissioning parents, Turkish authorities may not give it civil effect if it conflicts with fundamental rules such as birth-based motherhood. Families should therefore separate two questions: what is legal abroad and what is recognizable in Turkey. Answers differ, and timelines and evidentiary burdens are case-specific; practice may vary by court/authority and year.
Before entering a foreign surrogacy program, commission two memos: one from local counsel in the destination country on legality and expected documents, and one from Turkish counsel on recognition, registry, and travel implications for your specific facts. This two-jurisdiction due diligence should cover names as they will appear on records, the form of any judgments, and the translation/legalization pathway for documents that may be presented in Turkey. Align expectations for hospital discharges, travel permits, and interim documents; avoid relying on verbal assurances from non-lawyers. With a measured plan run by a seasoned lawyer in Turkey, you can see risk clearly—even if the answer is that recognition is unlikely.
Keep careful custody of originals and certified copies, and avoid social-media oversharing about your route. Public posts can surface later in administrative files and distract from the legal analysis. If an emergency arises abroad, contact counsel rather than improvising with unvetted forms. Where translations are required, use sworn translators to maintain evidentiary value—see legal translation services. Strategic caution supported by a reputable Turkish Law Firm protects the child’s interests as the first priority.
Recognition of Foreign Surrogacy Orders in Turkey (Tanınma/Tenfiz Issues)
Turkish courts evaluate recognition (tanıma) and enforcement (tenfiz) of foreign judgments through statutory criteria and public-policy (kamu düzeni) review. Orders that conflict with core principles—such as the rule that the birth mother is the legal mother—face a significant risk of refusal. Some families present foreign parentage or surrogacy orders and expect automatic acceptance; that is not the Turkish standard. Each file is assessed on its merits, with attention to jurisdiction, due process, and the nature of the requested civil effect. Because outcomes depend on facts and evolving case law, no attorney can guarantee recognition; practice may vary by court/authority and year. For a primer on general recognition mechanics, see our guide to recognition and enforcement of Turkish judgments.
Procedurally, courts scrutinize certified copies, apostilles or relevant legalizations, and sworn translations. Names, dates, and identity tokens must align across the foreign order and Turkish records. If a party seeks to use a foreign order at the civil registry, expect an administrative referral to judicial review. Where a path exists to register certain particulars without endorsing surrogacy, authorities will pursue the narrowest lawful route consistent with public order and the child’s best interests. Planning for these realities—rather than for a hoped-for blanket recognition—is the hallmark of responsible counsel.
Because recognition litigation is resource-intensive and uncertain, many families pivot to lawful alternatives within Turkey, such as adoption, when building a stable long-term plan. If you already hold foreign judgments, keep them secure, translate them faithfully, and preserve the full procedural history; piecemeal extracts can be misleading. A thoughtful English speaking lawyer in Turkey will present options candidly and may recommend parallel strategies that protect the child’s documentation while longer matters proceed.
Citizenship, Passports and Travel with a Surrogacy-Born Child (Case-by-Case)
Travel and citizenship questions turn on specific facts: place of birth, parental nationalities, documents issued abroad, and how those documents interact with Turkish law. Turkish citizenship rules and passport issuance depend on lawful parentage and registry entries; when a child is born through surrogacy abroad, the foreign paperwork may not map cleanly onto Turkish requirements. Attempting to use foreign certificates that conflict with Turkish public policy can lead to delays or refusals at consulates or passport desks. Families should plan conservatively, assume additional scrutiny, and secure written legal analysis before attempting travel based on contested documents; practice may vary by court/authority and year.
For families with multiple citizenships in play, coordination between jurisdictions becomes critical. Some states may issue travel documents swiftly; others require court orders or additional evidence. If Turkey is part of your route or destination, ensure that your documentation plan has been assessed for Turkish consistency, not only foreign plausibility. Where interim travel is unavoidable, counsel may outline narrow, lawful steps to protect the child’s welfare while avoiding misrepresentations to authorities. These plans are bespoke and should never be reverse-engineered from online anecdotes.
Maintain privacy discipline throughout. Airline and border processes are not designed to adjudicate complex parentage; avoid volunteering extraneous medical details or private agreements unless legally required. Keep a compact, lawyer-prepared folder with certified copies, translations, and a one-page explanation of what you are—and are not—asking Turkish authorities to recognize. When uncertainty remains, err on the side of additional written guidance rather than improvisation. A steady law firm in Istanbul can keep communications factual, respectful, and child-centered.
Data Privacy & Ethics: Health Records, KVKK and Child’s Best Interests
Medical reports, genetic data, and birth records are special-category personal data. Under KVKK, processing must be lawful, minimal, and secure; sharing should be limited to actors with a clear legal need to know. Couples navigating cross-border care should map data flows explicitly: which clinics and agencies hold what, how long they store it, and whether cross-border transfers occur under adequate safeguards. If a foreign provider requests blanket releases, request narrower, purpose-bound wording. Our GDPR/KVKK overview contains practical language and governance controls that a privacy-aware Turkish Law Firm will embed in your plan.
Protect the child’s dignity in every communication. Avoid sharing identifiable photos or stories on public platforms, and do not email sensitive records to casual addresses. If authorities require translations, commission sworn translators so accuracy and confidentiality are preserved—see legal translation standards. When one spouse must act for the family in medical or administrative settings, use a narrow mandate that authorizes only necessary steps and expires promptly; our POA explainer outlines safe drafting. The guiding principle is the best interests of the child, not adult convenience.
Keep an organized archive. Courts and registries respond better to clear, complete packets than to fragmented emails. Maintain a version-controlled folder with originals, certified copies, apostilles/legalizations where applicable, and full translation sets. If a dispute arises, your counsel can act quickly from this archive; if you later pursue adoption, many of these governance habits carry over. An evidence-first posture—typical of experienced Turkish lawyers—reduces stress in sensitive, human situations.
Lawful Alternatives inside Turkey: Adoption Process Overview for Foreigners
For families living in Turkey who wish to provide a stable, lawful family environment to a child, domestic adoption is the recognized path. The process is administered by the Ministry of Family and Social Services and proceeds through eligibility screening, training, matching, and court approval. Documents typically include identity and residence evidence, criminal-record certificates, health reports, and income/housing proofs, with interviews and home visits to assess readiness. Timelines vary by province and case complexity—practice may vary by court/authority and year—but the framework is clear and child-centric. For a step-by-step overview tailored to foreign residents, see our guide to adoption in Turkey.
Adoption requires patience and an evidence-led approach. Sworn translations of foreign documents, careful calendar management for training and hearings, and open collaboration with Provincial Social Services are essential. Couples should enter the process with realistic expectations about matching, contact with biological family where appropriate, and post-adoption support. Because the system protects child welfare first, decisions are individualized; no reputable advisor can guarantee timing or outcomes. A candid plan prepared by an English speaking lawyer in Turkey reduces avoidable delays and keeps the file aligned with local practice.
Families choosing adoption often appreciate the structural support and legal certainty it provides compared with prohibited surrogacy attempts. With the right guidance, paperwork becomes manageable, privacy safeguards are embedded from the outset, and each step serves a single aim: securing a lawful, stable family environment for the child. An ethical law firm in Istanbul will keep communications respectful, expectations grounded, and the child’s best interests at the center of every recommendation—precisely the standard the Turkish system expects.
Documents, Translations and Representation: Keeping a Clean Evidence Trail
Whether you are seeking legal advice about prohibited surrogacy, evaluating cross-border documents, or pursuing adoption, document hygiene determines speed and credibility. Keep originals and certified copies, commission sworn translations, and avoid ad-hoc paraphrases that introduce errors. Align names, dates, and identity numbers across all documents before submission; mismatches slow files and can raise avoidable questions. If you expect to present foreign court orders or medical records in Turkey, plan apostille or consular legalizations early and keep chain-of-custody notes. Well-prepared files move faster through hospitals, registries, and courts.
Representation simplifies sensitive interactions. Empower a trusted advisor with a narrow, purpose-built mandate so they can file documents, attend appointments, and receive notices while you protect privacy and avoid repeated travel. Our primer on powers of attorney explains scopes and execution that Turkish authorities recognize. For complex, bilingual dossiers, choose a team accustomed to family and health-law interfaces rather than generic notarial runners; our note on why foreigners choose our Turkish law firm summarizes service standards and data-protection commitments expected in these matters.
Finally, coordinate internationally where necessary. If foreign counsel is involved, agree on secure channels, shared document lists, and translation standards at the outset. Make one person the “records captain” so versions stay controlled and deadlines are met. If downstream recognition questions arise, your archive and translation set will be decisive—see our guidance on recognition and enforcement for general mechanics. A disciplined, privacy-aware process—run by an experienced Turkish Law Firm and steady Turkish lawyers—keeps the focus where it belongs: the child’s welfare and your compliance with Turkish law.
How Counsel Helps: Risk Triage, Cross-Border Strategy and Timeline Control
Counsel’s first duty in a prohibited field is to say “no” clearly where the law says no, then to design lawful alternatives that protect the child and the family. A seasoned team will map facts against Turkish public policy, explain recognition risks in plain language, and anchor recommendations in documentary reality rather than online anecdotes. If cross-border elements are present, counsel coordinates with foreign lawyers to reconcile what is legal abroad with what is recognizable in Turkey, aligning expectations about birth registration, passports, and civil status. Privacy by design (KVKK), sworn translations, and narrow mandates are embedded from day one so that sensitive health and identity data stay secure while the file remains usable. With disciplined planning by a pragmatic lawyer in Turkey and a responsive law firm in Istanbul, families avoid unlawful detours and invest their energy in compliant routes such as adoption.
When foreign documents already exist, counsel audits them for recognition posture: jurisdiction, due process, content, and public-policy friction. Where litigation is unavoidable, submissions are framed respectfully, with evidence and legal theory aligned to child welfare rather than adult convenience; no honest advisor guarantees outcomes, and timelines vary by court and year—practice may vary by court/authority and year. In parallel, counsel can shore up interim documentation for travel or healthcare without making misrepresentations to authorities. These measures protect the child’s immediate needs while longer matters are addressed thoughtfully.
Communication matters. Families facing sensitive parenthood questions deserve empathy and candor; advisors should reject quick fixes that rely on misstatements or pressure tactics. A structured plan—documents checklist, translations calendar, provincial contacts, and escalation paths—brings calm to a stressful topic. With clear roles and a single “records captain,” households stay organized, and authorities see a cooperative counterpart focused on the child’s best interests. That posture leads to better, faster outcomes in lawful processes.
Frequently Asked Questions (FAQ)
Is surrogacy legal in Turkey? No. Surrogacy—traditional or gestational—is prohibited. Private agreements are invalid and unenforceable, and hospitals/registries apply birth-based motherhood rules. Attempts to arrange surrogacy domestically risk administrative consequences.
Can a private contract make us the legal parents? No. Contracts cannot transfer legal motherhood away from the birth mother in Turkey. Such documents have no civil effect at hospitals or registries.
Who is the legal mother under Turkish law? The woman who gives birth. Parentage at birth follows the birth record; later adjustments, if any, must use lawful mechanisms and are case-specific.
What about cross-border surrogacy? Some countries allow it, but Turkish recognition depends on public policy. Foreign orders or certificates may not be given effect in Turkey; outcomes vary case-by-case and by year.
Can a foreign surrogacy order be recognized in Turkey? Recognition (tanıma) and enforcement (tenfiz) face public-policy review and may be refused. No advisor can guarantee outcomes; seek case-specific analysis.
Will our child get Turkish citizenship? Citizenship and passports depend on lawful parentage and registry entries. Surrogacy-born cases raise complex issues that require bespoke advice; assumptions based on foreign paperwork are risky.
Is egg or sperm donation legal in Turkey? No. Third-party reproduction (egg/sperm/embryo donation) and surrogacy are prohibited; clinics cannot lawfully offer these services in Turkey.
Can we adopt instead? Yes. Adoption is the lawful alternative administered by the Ministry of Family and Social Services. See our guide to adoption in Turkey for steps and timelines.
Do we need Turkish translations of foreign documents? Yes. Courts and registries expect sworn Turkish translations and proper legalizations for foreign medical records and orders. Plan translations early.
Should we sign NDAs with clinics or agents? Use NDAs for sensitive pre-publication data but remember: an NDA cannot legalize prohibited services. For confidentiality mechanics, see our firm standards.
What if we already started a program abroad? Pause and obtain dual-jurisdiction advice: one memo from destination-country counsel on legality/documents and one from Turkish counsel on recognition, registry, and travel impacts.
Will a hospital register us as parents if we bring a foreign order? Hospitals follow Turkish rules and may refer the matter for judicial review. Plan conservatively and avoid assumptions at the point of birth registration.