Divorced abroad? The documents Turkish courts require to recognize the ruling

Türkiye's Court of Cassation confirmed that QR-coded copies cannot replace a certified original of a foreign divorce ruling, a decision that matters to anyone divorced abroad seeking recognition in Türkiye.

To have a foreign divorce ruling recognized in Türkiye, the court must be given the original duly certified by the authorities of the country that issued it, or a copy certified by the issuing court, along with a certified translation. Printouts of QR-coded documents do not meet this requirement, the 2nd Civil Chamber of Türkiye's Court of Cassation confirmed.

The ruling came in the case of a couple who lived in Belgium and were divorced by a Belgian court. One former spouse filed for recognition at the Eskişehir 5th Family Court, submitting the ruling and its certificate of finality with QR codes. The case was dismissed because the internationally certified original was not submitted, and the appeals court and the Court of Cassation upheld the dismissal.

The Court of Cassation complex in Ankara

Lawyer Aslıcan Özgür İleli pointed to Article 53 of Law No. 5718 on International Private and Procedural Law and advised preparing documents in advance under these rules, which also applies to foreigners whose marriages and divorces are linked to Türkiye.