Transport of a body

This page is for families who have lost a relative in Russia or Ukraine and want to bring the body to Türkiye. To help you take the right steps during a difficult time, we explain in order how to obtain the local death certificate, request a death transport document from a Turkish mission, and comply with the rules for entry into Türkiye. Registration of the death, the estate, and bringing belongings into the country are also covered on this page.

1. Obtain the local death certificate.
   • Russia: the death must be reported to the civil registry office (ЗАГС) or municipal service center (МФЦ) within 3 days at the latest. The report may be made by the spouse, family members, or a person who was present at the time of death. The primary document is the death certificate issued by the healthcare institution. The report may also be submitted electronically through Gosuslugi; the documents must then be brought in person.
   • Ukraine: the death must be reported to the state civil registry office (ДРАЦС) within 3 days; if the healthcare institution's certificate cannot be obtained, the period is 5 days. The procedure is free of charge and is completed in 1 day. During martial law, you may apply to any ДРАЦС office. A death certificate (свідоцтво про смерть) is issued at the end.
2. Notify the Turkish mission. Outside working hours, call the mission's duty phone or the Consular Call Center (+90 312 292 29 29) (see O1.1).
3. Contact a funeral transport company. The company prepares a “funeral information form” showing which vehicle will transport the body, on what date and at what time, and who will receive it in Türkiye.
4. Request the death transport document from the mission and have the death registered in the Turkish civil records.

• For a death transport document, you may apply not only to the mission in the region where the death occurred, but to any Turkish mission in the country. For example, you may go to the mission closest to the body or to the airport from which the body will be flown.
• The document may also be issued for foreign nationals who wish to be buried in Türkiye.
• Required documents:
  • petition
  • the original and photocopy of the Turkish identity card of the person who wrote the petition
  • the original and photocopy of the death certificate issued by the local authorities
  • the original and photocopy of the deceased's Turkish identity card
  • the original and photocopy of the deceased's passport
  • the funeral information form prepared by the transport company and a photocopy
• If the local authorities performed an autopsy, the original burial permit or autopsy report and its certified Turkish translation may also be required.
• The relevant rules are set out in the 1973 Agreement on the Transport of Corpses, Law No. 3584, the relevant regulation, and the Directive on Procedures for Corpses Brought from Abroad.

• Russia and Ukraine are listed among the “risk-free countries” in the annex to the directive of the General Directorate of Health for Borders and Coasts of Türkiye.
• No additional health procedure is carried out at the port of entry for bodies arriving from these countries that meet the requirements for international transport. Customs carries out the entry procedures.
• For the body of a person who died from an infectious disease, the health authority of the place of burial assesses the burial procedure. The coffin is not opened until burial approval is granted.
• If the death has a judicial aspect and there is no autopsy report, customs notifies the police.
• Cremation and burial in Türkiye are not legally possible. The ashes of a person cremated abroad may be brought into Türkiye; the container holding the ashes, as well as flowers and wreaths, are exempt from customs duties.

• Have the death registered in the Turkish civil records at the mission. The application may also be made by post; every mission in the country accepts applications (for details, see O1.2). Under the legislation, the death must be reported within 30 days.
• Estate (property and belongings left by the deceased):
  • The mission identifies and seals the estate and prepares a list of the belongings.
  • It is authorized to pay from the estate the treatment expenses, rent, funeral expenses, and expenses necessary for preserving the estate.
  • The estate is sent to the estate court of the place where the deceased was registered. If the place of registration cannot be determined, it is sent to the Ankara Estate Court.
  • If the heirs are abroad, the estate may be delivered to them on the instructions of the estate court. It is not delivered in full to a single heir, except to a person representing all heirs; a valid power of attorney is required.
  • If the heirs are abroad, they submit the inheritance declaration to the consulate.
• Estate procedures are handled by the mission responsible for the region where the estate is located. The application requires a Turkish identity card, passport, and certificate of inheritance.

• Belongings left in Türkiye for heirs residing there following the death of a person residing abroad may be brought in exempt from customs duties.
  • Official documents must prove that the belongings belonged to the deceased and were inherited by the heirs.
  • The belongings must be brought within 24 months from the date of the certificate of inheritance, either in one shipment or in several batches.
  • Alcoholic products, tobacco products, motor vehicles for commercial use, professional tools and equipment (except portable tools used by the deceased personally), raw materials and commercial products, and animals and agricultural products exceeding family needs are not covered by the exemption.
• For the deceased's used household goods and vehicle, also see O1.8.
• Turkish citizen beneficiaries may purchase credit for the deceased insured person's periods abroad (see O1.5).

• The mission is authorized to pay funeral expenses from the deceased's estate.
• According to the consular guide of the Turkish Ministry of Foreign Affairs, missions cannot cover debts, bills, or hospital expenses. Clarify the transport fee with the company in advance and in writing.
• The mission may help your relatives send money to you.

• Leaving the local death notification until after the 3-day period.
• Assuming that you must apply only to the mission in the region of residence. A death transport document can be obtained from any mission in the country.
• Going to the mission without having the transport company prepare the funeral information form.
• Failing to prepare a certified Turkish translation of the report if an autopsy was performed.
• Failing to register the death. If the death is not registered, inheritance and other procedures are delayed.

• Which mission should I apply to? Any Turkish mission in the country where the death occurred. The most practical option is the one closest to the body or the airport.
• Will a body arriving from Russia or Ukraine be held at the border? Both countries are on the directive's list of risk-free countries. No additional health procedure is carried out for a body meeting the requirements for international transport; customs procedures apply.
• Do the documents need to be translated into Turkish? Translation of local documents is not required for registration of the death. If an autopsy report is requested, a certified Turkish translation is required.
• Can I bury my foreign-national spouse in Türkiye? Yes. A death transport document may also be issued for foreign nationals.
• Can I bring the ashes of a relative cremated abroad? Yes. The ashes may be transported, and the container holding them is exempt from customs duties.
• What should I do outside working hours? Call the mission's duty line or the 24/7 Consular Call Center.

• Petition for death transport and registration of death (Word)
• Petition for registration of death (Word)
• General Directorate of Health for Borders and Coasts – Directive on Procedures for Corpses Brought from Abroad (Word)
• Russia – Federal Law 143-FZ, civil records (table of contents)
• Gosuslugi – Russian government services portal
• Ukraine – Diia service guide
• e-Government – Emergency notification abroad
• Turkish Ministry of Foreign Affairs – Consular appointment system