Turkish law recognizes the principle of “jus sanguinis”—meaning citizenship is passed from parent to child by blood. If you were born abroad to a Turkish citizen parent (even decades ago), or if your ancestry includes Turkish nationals, you may be entitled to Turkish citizenship by descent. At ER&GUN&ER, our English Speaking Turkish Lawyers guide foreign-born individuals through the legal process of acquiring Turkish nationality based on lineage. This guide explains eligibility, legal process, and how we help you obtain your rightful citizenship.
Legal Basis: Turkish Citizenship Law No. 5901
According to Article 7 of Law No. 5901, a child born to a Turkish mother or father—whether in Turkey or abroad—automatically acquires Turkish citizenship at birth. If the child is not registered in Turkey or was unaware of their right, they may apply to be recognized retroactively based on descent (soybağı).
Who Is Eligible for Citizenship by Descent?
- Individuals born to at least one Turkish parent
- Children whose parents lost Turkish citizenship before their birth, but retained ties
- Descendants of Ottoman citizens who emigrated (case-dependent)
- Foreign-born children who were not registered in Turkey at birth
What If the Birth Was Not Registered?
In many cases, the Turkish parent failed to register the child’s birth with the Turkish consulate abroad. In these situations, the applicant must prove their lineage through:
- Birth certificates
- Marriage certificates
- Population registry records (Nüfus kayıtları)
- Court judgment if needed (citizenship confirmation case)
Common Scenarios for Citizenship by Descent
- 🇺🇸 U.S. citizen born in 1985 to a Turkish mother—never registered in Turkey
- 🇫🇷 French citizen whose grandfather was born in Istanbul in 1923—claim based on Ottoman records
- 🇩🇪 German citizen born to Turkish parents who naturalized abroad—application to restore Turkish nationality
Step-by-Step Application Process
- Legal eligibility review and ancestry verification
- Document collection: birth, marriage, ID, family records
- Translation and notarization of foreign documents
- Application at the Turkish Population Directorate or Consulate
- For complex cases: filing a Citizenship Recognition Lawsuit in Turkish court
- Approval and registration in the Central Population System (MERNIS)
- Issuance of Turkish ID and passport
Can I Apply Through a Lawyer?
Yes. You may issue a Power of Attorney (POA) to our law firm. With POA, we can:
- Access Nüfus records and archives
- Collect documents from court, notaries, and consulates
- File your citizenship application or lawsuit
- Track and appeal the file through all administrative stages
Citizenship Confirmation via Court Case
In unclear or undocumented cases, we may file a lawsuit before the Civil Court of First Instance requesting confirmation of Turkish citizenship by descent. This is especially useful when:
- Turkish parent’s records are incomplete or deleted
- Birth was not reported abroad
- Ancestry ties are traced through grandparents or Ottoman records
Processing Time and Validity
- Direct application through Nüfus: 2–6 months
- Lawsuit process: 4–12 months depending on complexity
- Once approved, Turkish citizenship is valid from birth—not from application date
What About My Children?
If your application is approved, your minor children may apply with you or afterwards through simplified dependent applications. Adult children must apply separately with their own lineage documents.
Frequently Asked Questions (FAQs)
- Can I hold dual citizenship? Yes. Turkey allows dual nationality unless your home country prohibits it.
- Do I need to speak Turkish? No. There is no language or integration test for descent-based citizenship.
- Is there an age limit to apply? No. You can apply at any age—even decades after birth.
- Can I apply through my Turkish grandmother? Possibly. We analyze the case and suggest whether court filing is needed.
- Do I need a Turkish address? No. Foreign residents may apply through consulates or with POA.
- Can I apply if I only have my father’s Turkish ID number? In most cases yes—we conduct an ancestry trace using Nüfus registry archives.
- Is DNA testing required? No—citizenship is established through documents and registry records, not genetic testing.
- Can I apply if I was adopted by a Turkish parent? Yes—but a different procedure applies. We advise you case-by-case.
- Can I apply for Turkish citizenship via Ottoman ancestry? Yes—but this requires expert analysis of archived Ottoman records and court filing in Turkey.
- Will I receive a Turkish passport automatically? After registration, you may apply for a passport like any Turkish citizen at Nüfus or consulate.
Conclusion: Reclaim Your Turkish Roots with Legal Support
Whether your Turkish heritage is recent or stretches back generations, the law gives you a path to reclaim your nationality. But legal documents, administrative processes, and court filings can be confusing—especially from abroad. Our English Speaking Turkish Lawyers handle your entire citizenship claim with care, speed, and precision. Contact the Best Lawyer in Turkey to explore your eligibility and start your citizenship application today.