Police Clearance Certificate is an official document issued by the internal affairs authorities confirming that a person currently has no criminal record, is not wanted for criminal offenses, or that any previous convictions have already been expunged. It is one of the most commonly required documents for international mobility.
A Police Clearance Certificate is often required in the following situations:
- Obtaining a visa;
- Applying for a temporary residence permit;
- Applying for a residence permit;
- Obtaining citizenship;
- Employment;
- Admission to an educational institution;
- Background checks for adoption or guardianship;
- Providing evidence in court;
- Marriage registration.
What is a Criminal Record Certificate in Turkey?
The official name of a criminal record certificate in Turkey is “Adli Sicil Belgesi” (literally “document from the judicial registry”). The document is issued by the General Directorate of Criminal Records and Statistics (Adli Sicil ve İstatistik Genel Müdürlüğü) under the Ministry of Justice of Turkey. In everyday use and legal practice, the term “Sabıka Kaydı” is also used.
The issuance of criminal record certificates in Turkey is regulated by the Criminal Record Law No. 5352 dated 25.05.2005 and the regulations developed on its basis.
A criminal record certificate is an electronic or paper document generated on the basis of data from the Criminal Record Information System (Adli Sicil Bilgi Sistemi), maintained by the General Directorate of Criminal Records and Statistics (Adli Sicil ve İstatistik Genel Müdürlüğü) under the Ministry of Justice of Turkey. The document may be issued with a translation into one of more than 40 foreign languages, including Russian, English, German, French, Kazakh, Arabic, and others.
At the applicant’s request, the following types of certificates may be issued:
- An electronic certificate in PDF format (with the possibility of printing);
- A paper certificate “with a blue seal”.
In addition, there is a form of certificate issued by Turkish consular institutions abroad.
How to obtain a Criminal Record Certificate in Turkey
Criminal record certificates in Turkey can be obtained in the following ways:
- through the e-Government system e-Devlet (turkiye.gov.tr);
- through criminal records offices at the Offices of the Chief Public Prosecutor (Cumhuriyet Başsavcılığı);
- through district governor’s offices (kaymakamlıklar);
- directly through the General Directorate of Criminal Records and Statistics of the Ministry of Justice of Turkey in Ankara;
- through Turkish foreign missions — embassies and consular sections.
Electronic certificate
A certificate issued in electronic form can be requested online via the website or through a special mobile application. It is accompanied by a special barcode for authenticity verification and may be printed out.
Paper certificate
To obtain a certificate in paper form, it is necessary to apply to the authorized authorities: the prosecutor’s office or a division of the General Directorate of Criminal Records and Statistics.
Certificate by power of attorney
A criminal record certificate may also be obtained by power of attorney. When submitting the request, the applicant’s representative must present an identity document, a document authorizing them to represent the applicant’s interests (power of attorney), and also provide its copy together with a copy of the represented person’s identity document. Legal experts clarify that the power of attorney should specify the purposes for which it has been issued.
To obtain a criminal record certificate through E-Devlet, it is necessary to:
- Visit the e-government website and log in using an identification number, electronic signature, or mobile signature;
- Select “Adalet Bakanlığı” (Ministry of Justice);
- Find the “Adli Sicil Kaydı” service;
- Formally agree to the terms and conditions;
- Check personal data and indicate the purpose of obtaining the certificate;
- Confirm the application;
- Download or print the PDF file.
To obtain a certificate through the prosecutor’s office or the General Directorate of Criminal Records and Statistics:
- Appear before the relevant authority (not necessarily at the place of residence);
- Submit an application;
- Receive the certificate with an official seal.
Certificate through a consulate
To obtain a criminal record certificate through a consulate or the consular section of a Turkish embassy abroad, the following documents must be provided:
- Application;
- Questionnaire;
- National identity card or passport;
- If necessary — a power of attorney.
When obtaining criminal record certificates, personal data must be carefully checked. Any mistake or typo will render the document invalid.
Processing Time for a Criminal Record Certificate in Turkey
The general processing time ranges from two weeks to two months depending on the city, the specifics of the request, the need for legalization, and the delivery address.
How to verify the authenticity of a Criminal Record Certificate?
The authenticity of a Turkish criminal record certificate can be verified using a special barcode.
Apostille on a Turkish Criminal Record Certificate
Since 1985, Turkey has been a party to the Hague Convention Abolishing the Requirement of Legalisation for Foreign Public Documents of 5 October 1961 (“Apostille Convention”).
An apostille is an internationally standardized form used to certify the legality of a document for presentation in the territories of states and countries recognizing this form of legalization. It usually takes the form of a special stamp or certificate. However, in recent years, the electronic apostille (e-Apostille) has also become widespread — a special digital mark confirming the authenticity of documents issued in electronic form.
In Turkey, documents are apostilled by governors and district governors. At the same time, electronic apostille certification is carried out through special procedures: via E-Devlet or E-Apostille.
An electronic apostille is a digital mark, while an apostille on paper is a special seal.
An apostille cannot be affixed to a criminal record certificate issued by Turkish consular institutions, since the apostille procedure does not apply to the legalization of consular documents. Therefore, official authorities in many countries refuse to accept such certificates. Before obtaining such a document, it is advisable to clarify with the specific organization whether it will accept it.
What is an apostille?
What is an apostille? Why do I need an apostille? How do I get an apostille? - Our video will explain everything you need to know about the apostille. If you have a document that needs to be certified with an apostille for use abroad, Schmidt and Schmidt will assist you! We provide apostille services in more than 100 countries worldwide.
Consular legalization of a Turkish Criminal Record Certificate
If the country where the Turkish criminal record certificate is intended to be used is not a party to the 1961 Hague Convention, for example the UAE, a more expensive and complex procedure of consular legalization will be required for the use of this document.
Consular legalization is a multi-step procedure for confirming the authenticity of a document, applied for countries that are not parties to the 1961 Hague Convention.
To carry out the consular legalization of a Turkish criminal record certificate, the following procedure must be followed:
- Obtain the certificate;
- Legalize the document at the Certification Department of the Ministry of Foreign Affairs of Turkey;
- Make an official translation of the document (if necessary);
- Legalize the document at the consulate or consular section of the embassy of the destination country.
Due to the large number of steps, this procedure is lengthy and quite expensive. Some countries do not have consulates in Turkey, and the final stage of legalization may take place in other countries where the consulate is located.
What is consular legalization?
In our video we are explaining what consular legalization is and where to apply for it.
Schmidt & Schmidt will assist you in all issues concerning the legalization.
Schmidt & Schmidt offers legalization in more than 80 countries all over the world.
Official translation of a Turkish Criminal Record Certificate
A Turkish criminal record certificate may be issued upon request in Turkish or in one of 42 available languages. If the language does not correspond to the country where the document will be submitted, an official translation must be made in accordance with the legislation of the destination country — by a sworn, certified, notarized, or court translator in the country where the document will be used.
A translation of the certificate made in Turkey (except in cases involving the procedure of consular legalization) will most likely not be accepted abroad.
Document delivery
After obtaining a criminal record certificate and completing its apostille certification or legalization, it is often necessary to send the document to another country. In such cases, not only speed but also the security of delivery is important, especially when original official documents are involved.
Schmidt & Schmidt organizes international document delivery worldwide. We use reliable logistics solutions and modern tracking systems, which make it possible to monitor the shipment at every stage of transit and ensure its timely delivery to the recipient.
Our specialists provide careful and confidential handling of documents and assist in resolving possible issues arising during international shipping, including carrier requirements and customs clearance procedures.
We can arrange the delivery of completed criminal record certificates, apostilled documents, translations, and other official papers to most countries of the world — both for private clients and for legal companies and organizations.
How can we help?
We will be happy to assist you in obtaining a criminal record certificate in Turkey, including its retrieval, apostille certification, and legalization for use abroad, as well as translation and delivery to any part of the world.
You can always contact Schmidt & Schmidt. We have extensive experience in obtaining and legalizing a wide variety of documents and provide all necessary services in this field, including notarized copies, translation, preparation of the required powers of attorney, legalization of documents at government authorities and foreign consulates, as well as delivery of completed documents to most countries worldwide.
You can read more about the legalization and apostille procedures on our website.
