Notary Procedures in Turkey for Property Buyers

A Turkish notary (noter) authenticates documents, certifies signatures, and — since July 2023 — may execute certain real estate sale contracts linked to the land-registry system. For foreign buyers, notary steps usually involve translation, power of attorney (POA), or optionally the sale itself. The notary is not the tapu office, and property transfer is not the same as buying a car. This guide covers notary roles, 2026 fees, and when you need one. Tariffs are set annually in Resmî Gazete — confirm current amounts before you budget.

See also our guide to buying property in Turkey, the property buying process, and our title deed (TAPU) guide.

What a Notary Does in Turkey

Under Noterlik Kanunu (Law No. 1512), notaries verify identity, certify copies, witness signatures, and perform acts listed in law. In property purchases they commonly handle:

• Passport translation and certification for the purchase file
• Signature declarations (imza beyannamesi) when authorities require proof your signature matches your ID
• Document certification (onay) — copy matches original
• POA (vekaletname) — authorising a representative at tapu or the bank
• Sworn translation (yeminli tercüme) under Noterlik Kanunu Art. 103
• Real estate sale contracts — since Art. 61/A (2023), via TAKBİS/TAKPAS

Notaries do not replace TKGM. Registration still flows through the cadastre even on the notary sale route. Notary fees are separate from tapu harcı and tapu döner sermaye — see property purchase costs in Turkey.

Notary vs Tapu Office: Who Transfers Real Estate?

Real estate ownership is registered at the tapu müdürlüğü under TKGM. The classic route: buyer and seller (or representatives) attend a tapu appointment, sign before the land-registry officer, pay taxes and fees, and receive the registered deed.

Since 1 July 2023, notaries may also execute a sale contract under Art. 61/A, register it in TAKBİS, and the tapu office completes tescil. The TAPU outcome is the same; the venue and workflow differ.

The TAPU is not “signed at the notary” in the classic sense. A notary may authenticate your POA so a representative signs at tapu, or may run the full sale contract into TAKBİS — but TKGM registration still applies. Many buyers still use the tapu office directly; the notary route suits parties who prefer notary appointment slots or weekend duty offices in some cities.

Can Property Sales Be Done at a Notary?

Yes, for qualifying sales since July 2023. Law 7413 added Art. 61/A (Resmî Gazete 31880); procedures are in RG 32070 (11 January 2023) — official text (Turkish).

1. Apply via TNB e-randevu / e-Devlet
2. Notary queries TAKPAS and checks obstacles (ipotek, şerh, foreign-buyer eligibility)
3. Parties sign; notary registers in TAKBİS
4. Tapu müdürlüğü completes tescil; buyer receives tapu senedi

Legal obstacles — restricted military or security zones, unresolved ipotek, missing iskan where required, or foreign-quota limits — block completion at either venue. Choosing notary vs tapu is often about appointments and convenience (including weekend duty notaries); foreign-buyer rules in our TAPU guide still apply.

Documents Foreign Buyers Commonly Notarize

• Passport translation — original plus notarised Turkish translation
• POA for purchase — explicit powers for tapu, DAB, and defined property
• Signature declaration — when a bank or authority requires it
• Certified copies — marriage, corporate, or prior contracts if requested
• Sworn translation — of foreign documents for registry use

Bring your original passport, tax ID (VKN) if available, and biometric photos for POA. Driver’s licences are generally not accepted as primary ID for tapu-related POA.

Practical examples: a one-page passport translation before your first tapu appointment; a signature declaration when your bank requires it; certified copies of a marriage certificate if the tapu office asks for family status; sworn translation of a foreign corporate resolution if a company is buying.

Translation and Sworn Translator Requirements

If you do not understand Turkish, the notary arranges a yeminli tercüman for POA and other acts you must comprehend before signing. This is routine for foreign buyers and is separate from informal translation by a friend or agent — only sworn translation carries weight at tapu.

Documents from abroad need apostille (Hague) or consular legalisation, then sworn Turkish translation.

Under the 2026 Noterlik Ücret Tarifesi (Resmî Gazete 33123, from 1 January 2026), translation is 667.67 TL per page (half rate for pages with 10 lines or fewer). Writing and comparison fees are extra. Tariffs change each year — verify before your appointment.

Power of Attorney at the Notary

A vekaletname should explicitly include satın alma (purchase), tapu işlemleri, and DAB authority where a foreign party is involved.

In Turkey: visit any notary with passport, tax ID, representative details, and property identifiers if known; a sworn translator attends if you do not speak Turkish.

From abroad: Turkish consulate or foreign notary, then apostille/legalisation and sworn Turkish translation — tapu will not accept incomplete chains.

Keep scope narrow. A dedicated POA guide will follow; this page covers the notary’s role only.

2026 Notary Fees Buyers Should Know

Source: Adalet Bakanlığı 2026 tariff and PDF (RG 33123). Examples for budgeting only — invoices may combine line items.

Excludes tapu harcı (4% on declared value, typically shared between parties), SPK valuation, DASK insurance, tapu döner sermaye, bank charges, and lawyer fees — see purchase costs. From 1 July 2026, many cash and bank-transfer sales must use Güvenli Ödeme Sistemi (GÖS) for the purchase price. GÖS is a payment rule set by trade-ministry regulation (Resmî Gazete 33238); it is not a notary fee.

Digital Notary Services and e-Devlet Checks

TNB on e-Devlet offers:

• e-Randevu / Başvuru — notary appointments, including real estate sales
• Kişi Vekaletnameleri Sorgulama — POAs from 1 March 2016 electronic scope
• e-Tespit — electronic detection (2026: 36 TL first MB + 18 TL/MB)
• Güvenli Ödeme Bilgi Sorgulama — where payment-system queries apply

Web Tapu supports POA verification and post-2023 azil (revocation). e-Noter and other electronic acts follow the same annual tariff unless exempt. Union site: tnb.org.tr.

Foreign nationals with a valid foreigner ID number (YKN) or activated e-Devlet access can book appointments online; others typically visit in person with passport and confirmation printout. In larger cities, duty notaries (nöbetçi noter) operate outside standard hours — useful if you arrive on a weekend before a tapu appointment. Fee calculators on the HIGM and TNB sites reflect the current Resmî Gazete tariff but your invoice may combine multiple line items on one visit.

Vehicle Transfer vs Real Estate — Do Not Confuse Them

Vehicles (taşınır) transfer at the notary under a separate fee regime — 2026 rules use proportional rates with a minimum band, not the 500–4,000 TL property cap. The notary checks liens and insurance before recording ownership.

Real estate (taşınmaz) transfers through TKGM at the tapu office or via notary+TAKBİS since July 2023, with tapu harcı and foreign-buyer documents. An apartment purchase and a used-car sale may both happen in a notary building but follow different laws and fee tables.

Common Mistakes to Avoid

• Confusing notary fee with tapu harcı
• Generic POA missing tapu, DAB, or purchase powers
• Foreign POA without apostille and sworn translation
• Skipping sworn translator when you do not speak Turkish
• Expecting notary sale to waive DASK, SPK, or foreign-buyer checks
• Treating vehicle transfer like property purchase
• Using outdated fee blogs instead of the current Resmî Gazete tariff

When to Use a Lawyer

A notary authenticates acts; it does not advise on contract terms, developer risk, or due diligence. Before signing a reservation or POA, a property lawyer should review:

• Register status — kat irtifakı vs kat mülkiyeti, ipotek, iskan
• POA wording and limits
• Payment structure, including GÖS from July 2026
• Developer or off-plan milestones

See lawyer services in Turkey.

Frequently Asked Questions

Do foreigners need a notary to buy property in Turkey?
Not for every step, but most foreign buyers use a notary at least once — typically for passport translation, signature certification, or POA if you cannot attend tapu in person. If you use the notary sale route (since 2023), the notary also hosts the sale contract. Tapu registration requirements still apply either way; the notary does not remove SPK, DAB, or DASK rules for foreign parties.

Is the TAPU signed at the notary?
Not on the classic tapu route — you sign before the land-registry officer and receive the registered deed from TKGM. On the notary sale route you sign the sale contract at the notary; the tapu senedi still issues via tescil after TAKBİS registration. The notary never replaces the land registry as title issuer.

Can real estate be sold through a notary in Turkey?
Yes, since 1 July 2023 under Noterlik Kanunu Art. 61/A and the RG 32070 regulation. The notary queries TAKPAS, executes the contract in TAKBİS, and the tapu office completes registration. Legal obstacles — encumbrances, zone restrictions, or missing documents — block completion at either venue.

How much are notary fees in Turkey in 2026?
For a real estate sale contract at a notary, the 2026 tariff is 1‰ of the declared sale value, with a minimum of 500 TL and a maximum of 4,000 TL (Resmî Gazete 33123). Translation is 667.67 TL per page; writing and signature acts have separate line items. Tariffs change annually — confirm on the HIGM site before your appointment.

Do documents need sworn translation?
Foreign documents for tapu and notary processes generally need sworn Turkish translation. If you do not understand Turkish, a yeminli tercüman is arranged at the notary for POA and similar acts.

Can I give POA from abroad?
Yes, via Turkish consulate or foreign notary plus apostille (or legalisation) and sworn Turkish translation. Tapu will not accept the POA until the chain is complete.

Is a vehicle notary transfer the same as property transfer?
No. Vehicles use movable-property rules and separate fees. Real estate transfers through TKGM with tapu harcı and foreign-buyer documents.

What should I check before signing a POA?
Property or purchase authority, tapu and DAB powers, passport and representative details, expiry clauses, and that you understand the text (via sworn translator if needed). Avoid broad POAs; verify on e-Devlet where available.

Does a notary check replace a lawyer’s due diligence?
No. The notary verifies identity and legal form; lawyers review contracts, developer risk, and off-plan milestones — see our lawyer services page.

Where can I verify 2026 notary fees officially?
The Ministry of Justice publishes the annual Noterlik Ücret Tarifesi in Resmî Gazete. The 2026 tariff is on the HIGM site with PDF download. Fees change each year.