The ins & outs of getting married abroad in Turkey.

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A popular destination for Irish & UK holidaymakers in Turkey you can be guaranteed good weather here, prices won't be extortionate and it's only about 4 hours plane journey - with lots of regular flights options for guests. Luckily it's quite simple to legally tie the knot here so today I've gathered all the most know info if you're planning a wedding in Turkey. If you're thinking of eloping, why not Turkey?

Destination Wedding Guide: Turkey | See more on onefabday.com

Before Deciding On A Wedding In Turkey You Need To Know:

There is no minimum residency period (yay!)
You will need two witnesses, but be careful to bring a pal or two as immediate family members cannot be witnesses.
Only civil ceremonies are recognised in Turkey.
For women if you've been married before, you must wait nine months from the date of dissolution before you can marry again in Turkey.
It is stated in Turkey that only those persons who have sufficient mental capacity to make fair judgements are allowed to marry. Therefore mental illness is a bar to marriage.
In some areas of Turkey you may have to undergo a medical exam before you can undergo marriage.
If neither you or your partner can't speak Turkish it's strongly advised to arrange to arrange for an interpreter to be present during your ceremony

Religious Wedding Ceremonies in Turkey

Unfortunately in Turkey religious weddings are not legally binding, If you would like to have a religious ceremony you must first have a civil ceremony.

Civil Wedding Ceremonies in Turkey

You can marry in Turkey either in the offices of your own Country's Embassy or Consulate, or in the Turkish Marriage Offices run by local municipalities.
Your marriage application needs to be made in person at the local marriage office in order to give notice of marriage, submit the certificates, complete necessary forms and fix a date for the marriage ceremony.
If the registry office accepts your application, a district alderman (muhtar) certifies the documents and the stamped and dated marriage declaration gives permission to marry. This is valid for six months and the marriage can take place within 48 hours of this licence being issued.
You will need at least 2 witnesses, both of whom are not immediate family.

The Paperwork You Need For Wedding in Turkey

It's important that all your paperwork are original copies, these must be translated into Turkish by the relevant authorities - this can be the Turkish Embassy in Ireland or a certified notary in Turkey.

Your Passports and long form birth certificates.
Health certificate (depending on the area of Turkey) which has to be taken from a State medical institution in Turkey. Any report to be issued by private hospitals or clinics will not be accepted.
6 passport colour photographs, taken no more than 1 month prior to travelling to Turkey.
Certificate of Freedom to Marry: this states if you're single, divorced, or widowed. You can get this from online here, and it should be certified by the Turkish Consulate or Embassy in Ireland. It is advisable that your certificate isn't issued more than three months prior to your wedding day.
Accommodation document. In some cases if you and your partner are both non-nationals you'll need a letter written by the hotel that your staying in. In this letter, the duration of stay and date of departure will be written.

Further Information on having a Turkish Wedding

This is just a general guide to get you through the basics at time of writing. If you're seriously considering a wedding in Turkey, it's imperative to do your homework and get the most up to date information verified by an official before booking anything. Check out the following websites for official information: