Governor's Certification: The Legal Basis for Official Documents in Türkiye

Governor's certification in Türkiye is an administrative procedure used when individuals or entities need to present certain government or official documents to be certified by the Governor's Office in the province they belong to.

The governor or staff members of their office verify the authenticity of the documents and confirm their legality and legitimacy.

In Turkish, Governor's certification is referred to as "Vekalet Onayı" or "Valilik Onayı."

Importance of Governor's Certification:

1. Verification of Document Authenticity: Governor’s certification is used to ensure that the documents presented are accurate and comply with Turkish laws.
2. Legalizing Documents: Many documents, especially in legal procedures or international transactions, require Governor’s certification to be officially recognized.
3. International Transactions: In some cases, Turkish citizens or foreigners residing in Türkiye may need their documents certified for travel, immigration, or work abroad.
4. Facilitating Administrative Procedures: Certification helps streamline various government procedures in Türkiye, such as identity verification or submitting applications for licenses or permits.

In Türkiye, many documents require certification from the governor (Valilik Onayı) in specific situations, especially related to legal procedures, official transactions, or international matters. Below are some documents that typically require governor's certification:

Legal Documents:

• Marriage and Divorce Certificates: If you need to use a marriage or divorce certificate in a legal or international transaction, you may need governor’s certification.
• Official Certificates (e.g., birth or death certificates): You may need to have birth or death certificates certified if you intend to use them outside Türkiye or for legal purposes within Türkiye.
• Wills or Official Contracts: If you have a will or legal contract that you wish to use in legal procedures, you may need to have it certified by the governor.

Powers of Attorney:

If you wish to authorize another person to carry out legal actions on your behalf (such as selling property or completing other legal transactions), the power of attorney must be certified by the governor.

Academic Certificates:

In some cases, academic certificates (such as high school or university diplomas) may require certification for use in administrative procedures, or for work or study abroad.

Business Documents:

• Company Contracts or Business Permits: Companies operating in Türkiye may need to have their business documents certified, such as partnership contracts or any official documents related to their business activities.
• Commercial Registrations: Some documents related to company registration or business activities in Türkiye may require certification by the governor.

Personal Documents:

• Identity or Passport Photocopies: In some cases, authorities may request certification of photocopies of your passport or ID card.
• Personal Declarations and Statements: Such as declarations regarding your financial or personal status.

Property Documents:

• Sale or Purchase Contracts for Property: In cases of buying or selling property, the contract may need to be certified by the governor as part of certain procedures.

Government Permits:

Some permits required for work, travel, or immigration may need to be certified by the governor.

Documents Related to Health or Medical Services:

In certain cases, medical or health-related documents may need to be certified by the governor, such as medical certificates or reports.

In general, the more official or international the document is intended to be, the more likely it will require governor’s certification. Therefore, it’s always a good idea to check with the relevant authority to see if governor’s certification is needed.

Preparing the Required Documents

Before visiting the Governor’s Office, make sure you have all the necessary documents to be certified, such as:

• Original copies of documents (birth certificates, marriage certificates, contracts, powers of attorney, etc.)
• Translated copies (if the documents are in a language other than Turkish): If the documents are in a language other than Turkish, they must be translated into Turkish by a certified translator.
• Personal identification: Make sure to bring your Turkish ID card or passport (if you are a foreigner residing in Türkiye) to prove your identity.

Visiting the Governor’s Office

Where to Go?: You should visit the Governor's Office in the province where you reside. Relevant Department: Typically, the certification department is within the Legal Affairs or General Administration office of the Governor's Office. Appointment (if necessary): Sometimes, an appointment may be required via the Governor's website or by phone. Be sure to confirm this before going.

Filling Out the Application

You will need to fill out an application form to have your documents certified. This form varies depending on the type of document, but it typically includes your personal details (such as name, address, and ID number) and details of the document you want to certify.

Paying the Fees (if any)

There may be fees associated with document certification, which vary depending on the type of document. These fees can be paid at the Governor’s Office or at approved banks.

Certification Procedure

After submitting the required documents and forms, the authenticity of the documents will be verified. The Governor’s Office staff will review the documents to ensure they are original and accurate, and that all required information is provided. If the documents need a certified translation (if they are in a foreign language), it will also be checked that the translation is approved by an official certified translator.

Waiting for Certification

Certification may take anywhere from a day to several days, depending on the document type and the volume of requests at the Governor's Office. In some cases, documents may be certified on the same day if they are simple and clear.

Receiving the Certified Documents

After the certification is complete, you can receive the certified documents. They will typically have an official stamp or the governor’s signature on them. Ensure that the document you receive contains the correct certification, such as the official seal or signature.

Using the Certified Documents

After certification, you can use the documents for official transactions or abroad, as needed.

Additional Tips:

• Check the Translation: If the document is in a language other than Turkish, make sure the translation is certified by a certified translator, as incorrectly translated documents may be rejected.
• Check Certification Requirements in Advance: Some documents may require certification by other authorities before being submitted to the Governor’s Office, such as consulates or embassies.
• Check the Processing Time: Make sure you allow enough time for the certification process, especially if the documents need to be certified before a specific deadline (e.g., for travel or signing a contract).

There are several Governor's Offices in different districts of the city. These offices are distributed according to administrative regions, and you can visit the nearest office based on your place of residence. Below are some main addresses of Governor’s Offices in Istanbul:

1. Istanbul Governor’s Office - Fatih

   • Address: Fuzuli Pasa Street, No. 11, Fatih, Istanbul, Türkiye.
   • Phone: (0212) 499 40 00
   • Website: www.istanbul.gov.tr

2. Istanbul Governor’s Office - Kadıköy

   • Address: Bursa Street, No. 12, Kadıköy, Istanbul, Türkiye.
   • Phone: (0216) 346 47 07

3. Istanbul Governor’s Office - Beşiktaş

   • Address: Zakarya Filiz Street, No. 10, Beşiktaş, Istanbul, Türkiye.
   • Phone: (0212) 361 55 10

4. Istanbul Governor’s Office - Bakırköy

   • Address: Nihat Yıldırım Street, No. 22, Bakırköy, Istanbul, Türkiye.
   • Phone: (0212) 570 61 00

5. Istanbul Governor’s Office - Başakşehir

   • Address: Murat Paşa Street, No. 15, Başakşehir, Istanbul, Türkiye.
   • Phone: (0212) 677 90 00

6. Istanbul Governor’s Office - Esenyurt

   • Address: Yeni Mahalle Street, No. 18, Esenyurt, Istanbul, Türkiye.
   • Phone: (0212) 671 55 10

7. Istanbul Governor’s Office - Sarıyer

   • Address: Zingol Dak Street, No. 8, Sarıyer, Istanbul, Türkiye.
   • Phone: (0212) 323 58 00

These are some of the offices spread across various districts. It’s best to contact the office or visit their website to check certification requirements or schedule a visit, as some procedures may require an appointment in advance.