Divorce, custody, and recognition in Türkiye

This page is for Turkish citizens in Russia who are considering divorce or are divorced. It explains how divorce in Russia proceeds at the civil registry office (ЗАГС) or in court, the 2026 fees, custody and maintenance rules, how a Russian decision can be registered in Turkish civil records without filing a lawsuit, and how a divorce in Türkiye can be used in Russia. This page provides general information and is not legal advice. If there is a dispute concerning children, property, or maintenance, consult a family law attorney (see R10.5).

• Russian law applies to the divorce in Russia of a Russian citizen and a foreigner or of two foreigners.
• Divorce at the civil registry office (ЗАГС): if both spouses want it and there are no joint minor children. The divorce is registered 1 month after the application.
• Divorce in court:
  • if there are joint minor children
  • if one spouse opposes the divorce
  • if one spouse avoids applying to the ZAGS even though they do not object
• If both spouses want the divorce, the court does not seek a reason and decides no earlier than 1 month after the application.
• If one spouse objects, the court may grant a reconciliation period of up to 3 months.
• A husband cannot file for divorce without his wife's consent during pregnancy and within 1 year after childbirth.
• The marriage ends on the date of registration at the ZAGS or on the date the court decision becomes final. The court notifies the ZAGS within 3 days. To marry again, you must obtain the divorce certificate (свидетельство о расторжении брака) from the ZAGS.

• Registration of an uncontested divorce at the ZAGS: 5,000 rubles from each spouse
• Court filing fee for a divorce case: 5,000 rubles
• Registration of the divorce at the ZAGS after the court decision: 5,000 rubles from each spouse
• Duplicate document: 500 rubles
• Apostille for a Russian document: 2,500 rubles per document
• The amounts are based on the text of the Russian Tax Code dated August 4, 2026. Attorney and translation fees are not included.

• Parents have equal rights and responsibilities regarding the child.
• For parents living separately, the parents first determine by agreement where the child will live. If they cannot agree, the court decides, taking into account the child's interests and views. The court considers:
  • the child's attachment to each parent and siblings, and the child's age
  • the parents' personal characteristics, work schedules, financial and family circumstances
• A parent living separately from the child has the right to see the child, participate in the child's education, and receive information from institutions such as schools and hospitals. The parent with whom the child lives may not prevent this contact.
• If there is no agreement in the divorce case, the court also decides who the child will live with and the maintenance.
• Child maintenance (if there is no agreement): 1/4 of the parent's monthly income for one child, 1/3 for two children, and 1/2 for three or more children. The court may change these proportions.
• Which country's law: the rights and obligations between a parent and child are governed by the law of the country where they live together.

• Under Article 27/A of Law No. 5490, divorce, annulment, and cancellation decisions issued by the judicial or administrative authorities of foreign countries are registered in the civil registry without filing a lawsuit. According to the consulate website, the requirement to separately file an action for recognition and enforcement has been abolished.
• Requirements:
  • joint application by the parties; if one party has died, is a foreigner, or holds a Blue Card, the Turkish citizen party may apply alone
  • the decision must have been issued by an authority competent under the laws of the country where it was issued and must be final
  • the decision must not be manifestly contrary to Turkish public policy
• Joint application: the parties may apply at the same time or at different times. For separate applications, no more than 90 days may pass between the two applications, and both applications must be made to the same authority. If applicants whose applications were rejected because 90 days had elapsed apply jointly, the application is accepted.
• Where: abroad, at a Turkish mission in the country where the decision was issued; in Türkiye, at civil registry offices designated by the Ministry. According to the consulate website, except in countries where different laws apply by state, an application may be made to any Turkish mission in that country. Ask your mission before making an appointment.
• If one party is a foreigner and does not know Turkish, they may bring their own interpreter to the application.

1. Application form (obtained from the mission)
2. The duly certified original of the decision and its Turkish translation certified by a notary or mission, or apostilled
3. If the decision does not contain a finality notation, a certified document showing that it is final and its translation
4. Original and photocopy of the identity card or passport
5. If an agent applies, a special power of attorney with a photograph issued by a notary
6. If a Turkish court decision concerning this decision was issued before the application, its original or photocopy
7. Apostille for Russian documents: an apostille for ZAGS documents (the divorce certificate) is affixed by the regional administrative unit responsible for ZAGS matters; for court decisions, it is affixed by units of the Russian Ministry of Justice.
8. Multiple citizens: a divorce decision obtained using Russian identity documents will be rejected if the Turkish civil registry does not contain a multiple-citizenship notation and it cannot be established that you are the same person. First register your multiple citizenship (see R4.5).
9. If the couple has children whose births have not been registered, their births must be registered first (see R6.3).

• Administrative registration covers only decisions concerning divorce, annulment, cancellation, and whether the marriage exists. Recognition of decisions refused because the requirements were not met is sought in court under Law No. 5718 (MÖHUK).
• Enforcement: enforcement of a foreign court decision in Türkiye (for example, collection of maintenance in Türkiye) depends on an enforcement decision by the competent Turkish court.
• Recognition: treating the decision as res judicata in Türkiye depends on the court determining that the enforcement requirements are met. Reciprocity is not required for recognition.
• Main requirements (MÖHUK Art. 54): the decision must not concern a matter within the exclusive jurisdiction of Turkish courts, must not be manifestly contrary to public policy, and the opposing party's right to defense must have been respected.
• Competent court: the court at the opposing party's place of residence in Türkiye; if they have no place of residence or habitual abode in Türkiye, one of the courts in Ankara, Istanbul, or Izmir.
• Documents to attach to the petition: the original decision certified by the Russian authorities or a certified copy from the court that issued it, together with its certified translation; and a certified document and translation showing that it is final.

• Under the Russian Family Code, a divorce carried out abroad in accordance with that country's jurisdiction and legal rules is considered valid in Russia. This rule applies to the divorce of two foreigners and of a Russian-foreigner couple.
• The Turkish court decision to be used in Russia must be apostilled. In Türkiye, apostilles for judicial documents are affixed by the presidencies of justice commissions.
• Russian institutions require a Russian translation of the document certified by a notary. Apply to the ZAGS to have it entered in the Russian civil registry.
• The consulate website recommends that divorces in Türkiye also be reported to the authorities of the country where the marriage took place.

• Waiting period for Turkish women: a woman may not marry until 300 days have passed after the marriage ends (Turkish Civil Code Art. 132). The period ends upon childbirth or by court decision.
• A divorce decision by foreign authorities must be registered in the Turkish civil registry before remarrying before Turkish authorities. The same requirement applies for a certificate of capacity to marry (see R6.1).
• To remarry in Russia, you must have obtained the divorce certificate from the ZAGS.

• In Russia: the ZAGS branch for an uncontested divorce; the competent Russian court for a lawsuit. Moscow Unified Information Hotline (24/7): +7 495 777 77 77
• Turkish missions — registration of the divorce decision
  • Embassy in Moscow: +7 495 994 93 59 · Kazan: +7 843 299 53 10 · Krasnodar: +7 861 214 12 51 · St. Petersburg: +7 812 577 44 69
  • For addresses, see R6.2 and O1.1. Appointment: konsolosluk.gov.tr
• Legal Advisory Office of the Embassy of the Republic of Türkiye in Moscow
  • Address: 7 Rostovski Pereulok No: 12, 115127 Moscow
  • Telephone: +7 495 994 48 08 (extension 1132)
• Legal advisor: the list of “missions with a legal advisor” on konsolosluk.gov.tr does not include missions in Russia. Work with a lawyer in Russia for your proceedings in Russian courts (see R10.5).
• Ministry of Foreign Affairs Consular Call Center (24/7): +90 312 292 29 29

• Failing to register the divorce in Russia in Türkiye, so that you continue to appear married in Turkish records.
• Missing the 90-day period for separate applications or submitting the second application to another mission.
• Applying with a court decision that has no finality notation.
• Trying to register a divorce obtained using Russian identity documents without registering multiple citizenship.
• Assuming that a custody or maintenance provision will also be implemented in Türkiye through administrative registration.
• Trying to divorce at the ZAGS while there are joint minor children.

• I divorced in Russia. Do I also need to file a lawsuit in Türkiye? Usually no. If the requirements are met, the decision is registered directly in the civil registry through a mission. If the request is rejected, recognition is sought in court.
• My former spouse is Russian. Do they have to participate in the application? No. If the other party is a foreigner, the Turkish citizen party may apply alone.
• We are both Turkish and my spouse is not joining the application. In this case, an action for recognition under MÖHUK may be necessary; consult a lawyer.
• Can a maintenance decision by a Russian court be enforced in Türkiye? An enforcement decision from the competent Turkish court is required for enforcement in Türkiye.
• We divorced by agreement at the ZAGS. Can this document be registered in Türkiye? Article 27/A also covers decisions by foreign administrative authorities. Ask the mission which additional documents it requires with your ZAGS divorce certificate.
• Can I take my child to Türkiye after the divorce? It depends on custody and the rights of the other parent. Taking the child without permission may lead to a return action under the Hague Convention (see R6.5).

• Consular procedures – Civil registry (registration of a foreign divorce decision)
• Consular appointment system
• Law No. 5490 on Population Services (PDF)
• Law No. 5718, MÖHUK (PDF)
• Turkish Civil Code No. 4721 (PDF)
• Russian Family Code Art. 160: divorce involving a foreign element
• Russian Family Code Art. 24: children and maintenance in divorce proceedings