FCDO e-Apostille for Türkiye: Solicitor Certification

Do you need to use a UK document in Türkiye?

Ginkgo Advisory provides solicitor verification, enhanced solicitor certification and FCDO e-Apostille services for Türkiye.

We assist with UK educational, company, court and personal documents. For urgent cases, our express option may take a few hours to one working day.

However, completion depends on document checks, submission cut-off times and FCDO processing.

UK Documents for Use in Türkiye

The United Kingdom and Türkiye are both parties to the Hague Apostille Convention. Therefore, a UK apostille normally replaces further embassy legalisation when you use an eligible UK public document in Türkiye.

Before starting, ask the Turkish recipient whether it needs:

• an original or certified copy
• an e-Apostille or paper apostille
• a Turkish translation
• a notarised translation
• separate apostilles for each document
• one combined legalised PDF

These checks can prevent delays and extra costs.

Which UK Documents Can We Prepare?

Our solicitor can review many UK documents, including:

Educational documents

• Degree Certificates
• Academic Transcripts
• Diploma Supplements
• Higher Education Achievement Reports
• university letters
• school certificates
• professional qualifications

Company documents

• Certificates of Incorporation
• Companies House documents
• Articles of Association
• board resolutions
• shareholder resolutions
• powers of attorney
• commercial agreements

Court and legal documents

• Final Orders
• Decrees Absolute
• court orders
• judgments
• probate documents
• consent orders
• legal declarations

Personal documents

• certified passport copies
• employment letters
• proof of address
• consent forms
• statutory declarations
• professional certificates

The correct route depends on the document and its intended use in Türkiye.

What Is Solicitor Certification?

Solicitor certification is a formal statement signed by a UK solicitor.

For example, the solicitor may confirm that a copy matches the original document.

Basic wording often states:

“I certify that this is a true copy of the original document.”

This statement may meet a simple certified-copy request. However, it does not confirm that the issuing body created a genuine document.

For stronger protection, a Turkish authority may want authenticity confirmation.

What Is Enhanced Solicitor Certification?

Enhanced solicitor certification goes beyond true-copy wording.

First, our solicitor checks the document through a reliable source. That source may include a university, Companies House, a court record or an official online system.

Next, we prepare stronger certification wording, such as:

“I further certify that I have verified the authenticity of this document with the issuing institution.”

As a result, the Turkish recipient receives both a certified copy and confirmation of the source check.

Solicitor Verification and Certification

Verification and certification are separate steps.

Verification means checking the document with its source.

Certification means issuing the formal solicitor statement after that check.

For educational documents, we may use:

• direct university confirmation
• HEDD
• Gradintelligence
• Digitary
• Parchment
• an official university portal
• a secure document-sharing service

Meanwhile, company checks may involve Companies House records.

Court documents may require a review of the court seal, case number or electronic issue record.

Afterwards, our solicitor prepares and signs the certification.

What Does the FCDO e-Apostille Confirm?

The FCDO apostille confirms the relevant UK signature, seal or stamp. It does not confirm every fact written inside the document.

For this reason, enhanced solicitor certification adds an important extra step.

The full process may look like this:

Source verification → enhanced solicitor certification → solicitor electronic signature → FCDO e-Apostille

Together, these steps create a clear legalisation chain for use in Türkiye.

Does Türkiye Accept an e-Apostille?

Türkiye uses the Hague Apostille system and also operates its own electronic apostille service for selected Turkish judicial and administrative documents.

Nevertheless, each Turkish authority may set its own document format rules.

Therefore, ask the recipient whether it accepts:

• a UK FCDO e-Apostille
• an electronically signed PDF
• a printed copy of the digital file
• a paper apostille attached to the original

A paper apostille may be safer when the authority asks for an original document.

Express FCDO e-Apostille for Türkiye

Our solicitor’s electronic signature is registered with the FCDO for e-Apostille purposes.

Consequently, we can prepare eligible PDFs for electronic legalisation.

Straightforward cases may take a few hours to one working day when:

• the document is clear and complete
• verification has finished
• the PDF qualifies for an e-Apostille
• payment has arrived
• the FCDO requires no extra checks

The FCDO publishes a processing time of up to two working days for its e-Apostille service. Additional document or signature checks may extend that period.

Educational Documents for Türkiye

UK educational documents may need legalisation for:

• school equivalency
• university admission
• YÖK recognition or equivalence
• employment
• work permit applications
• professional registration
• postgraduate study

Common documents include Degree Certificates and Academic Transcripts.

A Degree Certificate confirms the award. In contrast, an Academic Transcript lists subjects, credits, grades and study dates.

Türkiye’s Ministry of National Education guidance requires an apostille for certain foreign diploma and school-equivalency applications. It may also require approved or notarised translations.

Therefore, check whether the Degree Certificate and Transcript each need a separate apostille.

Company Documents for Türkiye

UK company documents may support:

• company registration in Türkiye
• Turkish bank account applications
• commercial contracts
• property transactions
• tenders
• tax procedures
• proof of directors or shareholders
• appointing a Turkish representative

Some official Companies House documents may follow a direct apostille route.

However, company-created documents usually require solicitor certification first.

Examples include board resolutions, company powers of attorney and shareholder decisions.

Court Documents for Türkiye

Court documents may need legalisation for:

• divorce registration
• probate
• inheritance
• civil proceedings
• family matters
• property disputes

Examples include:

• Final Orders
• Decrees Absolute
• court judgments
• consent orders
• Grants of Probate
• Letters of Administration

The right process depends on the document format.

For instance, an original court document may need a paper apostille. An electronic copy may require solicitor verification and certification before an e-Apostille application.

Does Türkiye Require a Turkish Translation?

Many Turkish procedures require documents in Turkish.

For example, official work-permit guidance refers to Turkish translations certified by a sworn translator or an official authority.

Translation rules still vary by recipient.

Before arranging the translation, ask:

• whether the authority accepts English
• whether it needs a sworn Turkish translator
• whether a Turkish notary must certify the translation
• whether the apostille also needs translation
• whether every page must be translated

In many cases, applicants obtain the apostille first. Afterwards, a sworn translator translates the full legalised document.

Documents That Need a Paper Apostille

The FCDO does not offer an e-Apostille for some document types.

Examples include:

• UK birth certificates
• marriage certificates
• death certificates
• adoption certificates
• ACRO Police Certificates
• DBS certificates
• fingerprint certificates

These documents normally require a paper apostille.

In addition, a Turkish recipient may request paper legalisation even when the FCDO offers an electronic option.

Our Process

Step 1: Send the Document

Send us a clear PDF of the UK document.

Step 2: Provide the Turkish Requirements

Include any instructions from the Turkish authority, university, employer, notary or company.

Step 3: Check the Correct Route

We review whether the document needs an e-Apostille or paper apostille.

Step 4: Verify the Document

Where possible, our solicitor checks the document with its issuing source.

Step 5: Prepare Enhanced Certification

Next, we draft the correct authenticity confirmation and apply the solicitor’s electronic signature.

Step 6: Arrange the FCDO Apostille

We then submit the document through the suitable FCDO route.

Step 7: Send the Completed Document

Finally, we provide the completed legalised document.

Need an Apostille for Türkiye?

Send Ginkgo Advisory:

• a copy of the UK document
• its intended use in Türkiye
• the name of the Turkish recipient
• any written requirements
• your required completion date

We will check the suitable verification, certification and apostille route.

Eligible express e-Apostille cases may take a few hours to one working day, subject to document checks and FCDO processing.

Frequently Asked Questions

Does Türkiye accept an FCDO e-Apostille?

Many Turkish bodies can use documents under the Hague Apostille system. However, you should confirm whether the specific recipient accepts an electronic PDF.

Is true-copy certification enough?

It depends on the purpose. Some recipients may also require confirmation that the solicitor checked the document with its issuer.

Can you verify a UK Degree Certificate?

Yes, where the university provides a reliable verification route.

Can you legalise an Academic Transcript?

Yes. We can review, verify and certify eligible Academic Transcripts before arranging the FCDO apostille.

Does Türkiye require a Turkish translation?

Often, yes. The authority may also require a sworn or notarised translation.

Can several documents share one apostille?

Sometimes. However, the Turkish recipient may ask for a separate apostille for each document.