Apostille for a Turkish criminal record (adli sicil) + English translation
Uğur Arı — sworn translator, Kartal 12th Notary Office · Updated August 17, 2026
A Turkish criminal record (adli sicil) is an administrative document, so its apostille is issued by the district governorship (kaymakamlık) or provincial governorship (valilik) — usually the same day and free of charge. The usual order is: obtain the record from e-Devlet, apostille the original, then have it sworn-translated into English so the apostille itself is included. Validity is short (often under three months), so obtain it shortly before you need it.
Where the apostille is issued
Because the criminal record is an administrative document, the apostille is affixed by the kaymakamlık (district governorship) or valilik (provincial governorship) in Turkey — not by the translator or the notary. For administrative documents this step is usually completed the same day and without a fee. Court and judicial records follow a different route, through the justice commission at the courthouse.
Order: apostille first, then translate
The general rule is to apostille the original record first, then have it sworn-translated — because the apostille stamp must also appear in the translation. Some receiving institutions additionally require the translation to be notarized and apostilled. Whether that extra step is needed depends entirely on the country and institution you will submit to, so check the application text before you start.
Step-by-step process
- 1Obtain the record
Get the adli sicil from e-Devlet or the courthouse. Obtain it shortly before you need it so it stays within validity.
- 2Apostille the original
Take it to the kaymakamlık or valilik for the apostille — usually same day, no fee for administrative documents.
- 3Sworn English translation
Send the apostilled record on WhatsApp. Turkish → English sworn translation, with the apostille included, and notarization if required.
- 4Apostille the translation if asked
Only if the receiving institution requires it, the notarized translation can also be apostilled.
Which countries require the apostille
The apostille is valid between countries party to the Hague Apostille Convention — nearly all of Europe, the United States, the United Kingdom and many others. For non-member countries, consular legalization is required instead of an apostille, which is a longer process handled through that country's representation in Turkey.
Is the barcoded e-Devlet criminal record enough on its own?
Sometimes. The barcoded e-Devlet document is verifiable online and accepted directly by some institutions; others require a signed, apostilled and translated version. Check what the receiving institution asks for.
How long is a Turkish criminal record valid?
It is often required to be less than three months old. Obtain it shortly before the procedure so it does not expire during apostille and translation.
Requirements and acceptance are ultimately set by the receiving institution, notary office or authority; practices vary and cannot be guaranteed. This page is general information, not legal advice.