Turkish Divorce Certificate Translation UK (Certified)
Divorced in Türkiye and now need to prove it in the UK? Whether you are giving notice to remarry, applying for a spouse visa, changing your name back or dealing with a UK court, you will need a certified English translation of your Turkish divorce decree (boşanma kararı, also called a boşanma ilamı). I am Ali Yildirim, a native Turkish Chartered Linguist and qualified member of the ITI, and I translate and certify every divorce document myself.
Why a UK-based Chartered Linguist? Every certified translation is done and signed by me personally — no subcontracting — with free correction if a UK authority rejects it over a translation issue, and signed copies posted anywhere in the UK. Find out why it matters.
Which Turkish divorce document do you have?
A Turkish divorce is granted by a family court (aile mahkemesi), and there is no single “divorce certificate” in the British sense. What people in Türkiye are given, and what UK bodies usually want to see, is one or more of the following.
- Divorce decree (boşanma kararı / boşanma ilamı) — the court’s decision dissolving the marriage. A full reasoned decree (gerekçeli karar) also sets out the grounds, and any orders on custody, contact and maintenance (velayet, kişisel ilişki, nafaka) and the division of property. It can run to several pages.
- Certificate of finality (kesinleşme şerhi) — the court’s endorsement confirming that the decree is final and no appeal is pending. A decree without it does not show that the divorce has taken effect, so this is the part UK registrars and caseworkers look for first. If your copy has no certificate of finality, ask the court that granted the divorce for a certified copy that includes it.
- Full civil registry extract (tam vukuatlı nüfus kayıt örneği) — the printout of your entry in the civil register, showing the marriage and the recorded divorce. It is often requested alongside the decree, particularly for visa and citizenship applications, and can be downloaded from e-Devlet with a verification barcode.
In England the final stage of a divorce is now called a final order (formerly a decree absolute), and you will often see Turkish decrees described that way online. In the translation itself I render the document by what it actually is — a Turkish court decree with a certificate of finality — so the caseworker knows exactly which document is in front of them.
When you need a certified divorce translation in the UK
- Remarrying in England or Wales. If a previous marriage ended in a divorce granted outside the British Isles, the register office has to check that divorce before it can accept your notice of marriage. It may approve it locally or refer it to the General Register Office, and a consideration fee is charged either way. Bring the Turkish decree with its certificate of finality and a certified translation to your notice appointment.
- Spouse, partner and family visas. If either of you has been married before, the Home Office will want evidence that the earlier marriage has ended. See Turkish translation for a UK spouse visa for the full document list.
- Settlement and British citizenship. A divorce decree can be needed to explain a change of name or marital status since your last application.
- British passports. HM Passport Office may ask for it if you are reverting to a previous surname.
- UK courts and solicitors. For financial applications after an overseas divorce, children matters, or questions about whether a Turkish divorce is recognised in the UK.
- Pensions, banks and benefits. Updating your marital status with UK organisations.
Apostille: check before you translate
Most UK recipients accept the Turkish document with a certified translation and nothing more. If yours asks for an apostille, get it in Türkiye before the translation is made — Türkiye and the UK are both parties to the Hague Apostille Convention, and many Turkish documents can be apostilled electronically (e-Apostil). The apostille is then translated as part of the document, so nothing on the page is left in Turkish.
What’s included
- A full translation that mirrors the layout of your document, including stamps, seals, barcodes and reference numbers
- A signed and dated certificate of translation confirming accuracy
- My Chartered Linguist (CIOL) and ITI membership details, so the recipient can check who I am
- Digital delivery (PDF with digital stamp) as standard; a posted hard copy with embossed stamp and wet signature on request (+£15 per order), sent by Royal Mail First Class 24 Hour Tracked and Signed For Delivery
Turnaround and pricing
Divorce decrees vary a great deal in length: a short decree with its certificate of finality may be one or two pages, while a full reasoned decree with custody and property orders can run much longer. Because of that, divorce translations are priced on a fixed quote rather than a flat rate. Send me a scan of every page and I will come back with a fixed price and a delivery date before any work begins. Short decrees are usually ready within 1–2 business days.
How it works
- Send a clear scan or photo of the divorce decree, including every page and the certificate of finality, through the contact form, by email or on WhatsApp, and tell me where it will be submitted
- Receive a fixed quote and delivery date, usually within a few hours during working hours
- Get your certified translation as a PDF, with a posted hard copy if the recipient needs paper
Frequently asked questions
Do I need to translate the whole divorce decree, or just the result?
The whole document. UK bodies expect a full translation, not a summary, so the grounds, the orders on custody or maintenance and every stamp, signature and annotation are translated. If you only hold part of the decree, tell me and I will advise before you order.
My decree has no certificate of finality. Is that a problem?
It can be. Without the kesinleşme şerhi, the document does not show that the divorce is final, and a register office or caseworker may not accept it. Ask the court that granted the divorce for a certified copy with the certificate of finality; a lawyer in Türkiye or the Turkish Consulate General can help if you are in the UK.
Will the register office accept your translation for my notice of marriage?
My translations include everything UK bodies normally ask for: a full translation, a signed and dated statement of accuracy, my name, contact details and professional memberships. Acceptance is always the recipient’s decision, and requirements can differ between register offices, so it is worth checking with yours when you book.
Should I also send my nüfus kayıt örneği?
If your application asks for proof of marital status, yes. A full civil registry extract (tam vukuatlı nüfus kayıt örneği) showing the recorded divorce supports the decree well, and I can quote for both together.
Do you need the original document?
No. A clear scan or photo of every page is enough. If the recipient needs to see the original, you show it to them directly.
Can I get a hard copy with a wet signature?
Yes, for an additional £15 per order: an embossed stamp and wet signature on each page and a signed paper certificate of translation, sent by Royal Mail First Class 24 Hour Tracked and Signed For Delivery. Choose this if your register office or court wants paper.
Why should I use a qualified translator for my certified translation?
In the UK, anyone can call themselves a certified translator. If the organisation receiving your document can’t verify who translated it, they may reject it — which can mean delays and paying twice. Choosing a translator who belongs to a recognised body such as the CIOL or ITI gives your translation credentials that anyone can check.
How can I check your credentials?
I’m a Chartered Linguist and member of the CIOL (no. 42759) and a qualified member of the ITI (no. 8695). You can look me up in both bodies’ public directories, and my membership details appear on every certificate of translation I issue.
Get a quote for your divorce decree translation — send a scan and I’ll come back with a fixed price and delivery date.
See also: Turkish marriage certificate translation · Turkish birth certificate translation · UK visa and Home Office translations · Legal translation
