Notarized power of attorney (Vekalet)

When do you need an official power of attorney in Turkey?

When a foreigner is unable to appear in person to complete an official transaction in Turkey — such as buying property, forming a company, following up a government procedure, or opening and managing a bank account — the recognized legal solution is to authorize another person to act on their behalf through an official power of attorney. This also covers remote follow-up on existing files, such as finalizing residence procedures or following up on a court case.

An ordinary letter of authorization or an informally signed letter is not enough before official departments in Turkey. Government agencies and land registry (Tapu) offices only recognize a power of attorney that carries the legally required official form, regardless of how clear the letter is or whether both parties agree to it.

What makes a power of attorney legally valid in Turkey?

Under the Turkish Notary Law (Noterlik Kanunu No. 1512), powers of attorney related to land registry (Tapu) transactions and a number of other official transactions must be drawn up in "düzenleme" (formal drafting) form before a notary, under Article 89 of this law — meaning the notary verifies the principal's identity and genuine intent before issuing the document.

This differs depending on where the power of attorney is issued:

• A power of attorney issued inside Turkey before a notary is directly effective before official bodies
• A power of attorney issued at Turkish consulates or embassies abroad is treated the same as one issued inside Turkey, because Turkish diplomatic missions exercise notarial powers — this also applies to non-Turkish citizens, using a sworn translator when needed
• A power of attorney issued before a foreign notary outside Turkish missions usually needs Apostille certification if the country is party to the Hague Convention, in addition to a certified official translation into Turkish, and for some transactions — especially real estate — additional certification procedures may be required even with an Apostille

In all cases, the power of attorney must clearly define the scope of authority: the type of transaction, the specific powers granted, and any restrictions on them.

Key points to know

• A power of attorney drafted in general or vague terms may be rejected by the relevant official body, or may open the door to its use for actions the principal did not intend
• A power of attorney that does not precisely specify the type of transaction carries higher risk than one dedicated to a specific transaction
• Under the Turkish Code of Obligations (Türk Borçlar Kanunu No. 6098), the principal has the right to revoke the agent and terminate the power of attorney at any time, and the power of attorney also automatically ends in cases such as the death of either party, loss of legal capacity, or bankruptcy, unless expressly agreed otherwise
• If the power of attorney specifies a particular time period, it ends when that period expires; if no period is specified, it remains valid until revoked or until the purpose for which it was issued has been fulfilled

Frequently asked questions

Can a power of attorney be issued from outside Turkey? Yes. It can be issued at the nearest Turkish consulate or embassy, which is treated the same as one issued inside Turkey. It can also be issued before a foreign notary, but this usually requires Apostille certification and a certified official translation before it can be used in Turkey.

Does a power of attorney issued abroad need translation? A power of attorney issued at a Turkish consulate usually does not need additional translation, because it is issued by an official Turkish body. A power of attorney issued before a foreign notary, however, needs a certified translation into Turkish after being Apostille-certified.

Can a power of attorney be cancelled after it is issued? Yes, the principal has the right to revoke their agent and terminate the power of attorney at any time under the Turkish Code of Obligations, and it also ends automatically in certain cases such as the death of either party or loss of legal capacity.

Is a general power of attorney riskier than a specific one? A general power of attorney grants broad powers that may cover actions the principal did not intend, while a specific power of attorney limited to a particular transaction reduces this risk. It is always advisable to define the powers precisely according to their actual purpose.

Last updated: 2026-09-07