Formül A, B, C: does a multilingual Turkish civil-status extract need translation?
Last updated: September 14, 2026 · Uğur Arı — sworn translator, Kartal 12th Notary Office
Turkey is a party to the 1976 Vienna Convention (CIEC No. 16), under which the Civil Registry issues multilingual extracts of birth (Formül A), marriage (Formül B) and death (Formül C) records. In the 24 contracting states these extracts are designed to be used without translation or legalisation. The United States, the United Kingdom, Canada, Australia and Ireland are not parties, so for those destinations a sworn English translation is normally still required. The receiving institution has the final say — ask even in a contracting state. If Formül A/B/C is enough, you do not need a translation from us.
Where no translation is needed (contracting states)
Turkey has been a party to the Vienna Convention of 8 September 1976 (International Commission on Civil Status — CIEC, Convention No. 16) since 30 June 1985. Under the Convention, multilingual extracts of birth, marriage and death records (Formül A, B, C) are accepted without legalisation in every contracting state and are drawn up so that no translation is needed. The other contracting states: Austria, Belgium, Bosnia and Herzegovina, Bulgaria, Cabo Verde, Croatia, Estonia, France, Germany, Italy, Lithuania, Luxembourg, Moldova, Montenegro, the Netherlands, North Macedonia, Poland, Portugal, Romania, Serbia, Slovenia, Spain and Switzerland.
A university, bank or municipality in a contracting state may still ask for a translation under its own internal rules — not required by the Convention, but seen in practice. Ask the institution "is Formül A enough?" before sending anything.
Which countries are not parties?
The United States, the United Kingdom, Canada, Australia and Ireland are not parties (CIEC signatory table, checked September 14, 2026). For institutions there, a sworn English translation of the Turkish birth, marriage or death record is normally required, and the institution may also ask for an apostille (all five are parties to the Hague Apostille Convention).
For any country not in the list above, assume a translation is needed until the institution says otherwise.
What the forms look like and how to obtain them
The Convention forms use Latin characters, numeric dates and standard symbols for civil-status events (for example Mar = marriage, Div = divorce, D = death); the fixed headings are printed in at least two languages. The extract is requested from the Civil Registry office (Nüfus Müdürlüğü); check whether the multilingual option is offered on e-Devlet when you order, otherwise apply at the district registry.
A sworn translation of the ordinary Turkish record works everywhere, so Formül A/B/C is not an obligation — it is a time- and cost-saving option for contracting states.
Decision table
| Situation | Likely route |
|---|---|
| Contracting state, institution accepts the multilingual extract | Get Formül A/B/C; no translation, no apostille |
| Contracting state, institution insists on a sworn translation | Sworn translation of the Turkish record into English (or the local language) |
| Non-contracting country (US, UK, Canada, Australia, Ireland…) | Sworn English translation; apostille (Hague) and/or notarisation if the institution asks |
| Document used inside Turkey | No translation needed |
Run your own case through the Turkish document abroad checker.
Which documents come as Formül A, B and C?
Formül A is the multilingual extract of a birth record, Formül B of a marriage record and Formül C of a death record, issued by the Turkish Civil Registry on the forms of the 1976 Vienna Convention (CIEC No. 16).
If I have a Formül A, do I still need an English translation?
In a contracting state (for example Germany, France, the Netherlands, Italy, Spain or Switzerland) the extract is designed to be used without translation or legalisation. The United States, the United Kingdom, Canada, Australia and Ireland are not parties, so for them a sworn English translation is normally still required. Even in a contracting state an individual institution may ask for a translation.
Does a multilingual extract need an apostille?
Under Article 8 of the Convention no legalisation or equivalent formality is required between contracting states. For a non-contracting country the document may need an apostille and a sworn translation like any other Turkish record; ask the receiving institution.
Is a nüfus kayıt örneği the same as Formül A?
No. Formül A summarises one birth event; the nüfus kayıt örneği (family registry extract) covers the whole household record, is issued in Turkish only and usually needs a sworn translation abroad.
- CIEC — Convention No. 16: text, Forms A/B/C and contracting states →
- Directorate General of Civil Registration and Nationality (NVİ) →
- HCCH — Apostille Convention status table →
Public official sources; contracting-state lists and procedures change, verify the current version when you apply.
Requirements and acceptance are ultimately decided by the receiving institution, the notary or the competent authority; practice changes and nothing here is guaranteed. This guide is general information, not legal advice.