Introduction: New Legal Needs Arising from the Increase in International Marriages

Tens of thousands of Turkish citizens' children are born abroad every year. Furthermore, children of Turkish citizens and foreign spouses are also born in different countries, leading to multifaceted legal processes such as citizenship , kinship , population registration , dual citizenship , and identity card regulations

As of 2025, Turkey will be conducting population registration procedures for children born abroad digitally, both through consulates and the MERNIS system. This ensures both faster and more secure information transfer.

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1. Can a child born abroad become a Turkish citizen?

In accordance with the clear provision of Article 7 of the Turkish Citizenship Law:

"If one of the parents is a Turkish citizen, the child is a Turkish citizen by birth."

Because:

• Mother is Turkish → child is born Turkish

• Father is Turkish → child is born Turkish

• Mother is foreign + father is Turkish → child is Turkish

• Mother Turkish + father foreign → child Turkish

It doesn't matter where the child is born.

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2. How to Register a Child Born Abroad in Türkiye?

Population registration can be done in two different ways:

A. Registration at Turkish Consulates

It's the fastest method.
Required documents:

• Birth certificate

• Apostille certificate,

• The child's passport or birth certificate,

• Parental identities,

• Birth notification form.

The consulate registers the birth directly into the MERNIS system.

B. Registration at the Population Registry Office in Türkiye

Registration can be done with the following documents:

• Apostilled birth certificate,

• Translation and notarization,

• Parental identities,

• Marriage certificate (if applicable).

Both methods are legally equivalent.

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3. Is an Apostille Required for a Birth Certificate?

Yes.
For a birth certificate issued abroad to be valid in Turkey:

• an apostille certificate ,

• Sworn translation
  is mandatory.

In countries that do not issue apostille certificates (such as the UAE, Canada, and Qatar), consular authentication is required.

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4. How is paternity established if the parents are not married?

Lineage is determined according to the Turkish Civil Code:

A. Marital birth

• Birth is automatically linked to the father.

B. Birth out of wedlock

• Parentage is established at birth.

• For paternal lineage:

  • Recognition,

  • Paternity suit,

  • Notary statement,

  • Consular recognition process
    may be required.

If the recognition has been done abroad, it is also valid in Turkey; however, an apostilled translation of the recognition document required.

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5. How does dual citizenship work?

Many children born abroad automatically acquire dual citizenship:

• Turkish citizenship,

• Citizenship of the country of birth.

Turkey recognizes dual citizenship.
However, some countries (such as Japan or Norway) may impose restrictions on dual citizenship.

Therefore, the legislation of the country of birth should also be examined.

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6. How to Obtain an Identity Card and Passport in Türkiye for a Child Born Abroad?

Identity Card (Turkish Republic Identity Card)

It is issued through the consulate or the civil registry office.
Required documents:

• You must be registered in the population registry

• 1 biometric photograph (not required at certain ages),

• Parental identities.

Passport

• The person must be a Turkish citizen.

• One of the parents can apply on behalf of the child.

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7. Inheritance and Custody Rights in Türkiye for Children Born Abroad

A. Inheritance

Since the child is a Turkish citizen, in terms of inheritance law:

• The reserved share,

• Legal inheritance share,

• Property division

He has full rights in this regard.

B. Custody

In custody disputes, the child:

• His usual dwelling,

• The country where he lives,

• Social circle

is taken as the basis.

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8. What happens if registration is not completed?

If a child born abroad is not registered in Türkiye:

• It is null and void in Türkiye

• He/She cannot exercise his/her inheritance rights

• They cannot obtain an identity card or passport

• Cannot benefit from health insurance,

• Their education and social rights will be limited.

Therefore, registration is a legal requirement.

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9. The Most Common Mistakes

The main mistakes families make:

• Presenting a birth certificate without an apostille

• Getting a translation done incorrectly,

• Not establishing paternal lineage even though they are not married,

• Failure to declare dual citizenship,

• Applying to the consulate late.

These errors both delay the process and prevent the child from exercising their rights in Türkiye.

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Conclusion: Registration and Citizenship Procedures for Children Born Abroad Will Be Faster and More Digital in 2025

With the implementation of the 2025 plan:

• The MERNIS system has been integrated into the consulates

• Document checks are performed digitally

• Dual citizenship procedures have been simplified

• Consulate appointments have been expedited.

Thanks to this, identity, citizenship, and kinship procedures for children born abroad are completed much faster and more securely in Türkiye.