Sworn vs. Notarized Translation in Turkey — What's the Difference?
Last updated: October 27, 2026 · Uğur Arı — sworn translator, Kartal 12th and Gebze 19th Notary Offices
A sworn translation is produced, signed and stamped by a translator who has taken an oath before a Turkish notary office. A notarized translation is that same sworn translation with an additional layer: the notary certifies the translator's signature. Notarization is not a separate type of translation — it is an extra attestation added when the receiving institution requires it.
On this page6 sections
I check whether your document needs a sworn or a notarised translation before you pay. No upfront payment is required to request a quote.
Send Your Document on WhatsApp ↗When is a sworn translation enough?
It depends on the destination authority's written rule, not on Turkish practice. What four common destinations publish on their official pages (last checked September 2026; Canada row updated October 2026):
| Destination | What the official rule asks for | Notary in the rule? |
|---|---|---|
| United States — USCIS | A full English translation plus the translator's certification that it is complete and accurate and that they are competent to translate into English (8 CFR 103.2(b)(3)). | Not mentioned |
| United Kingdom — GOV.UK | The translator confirms in writing on the translation that it is a ‘true and accurate translation of the original document’, with the date, their full name and contact details. | Not mentioned |
| Canada — IRCC | A translation by a certified translator — in Canada, a member in good standing of a provincial or territorial translators’ body; for translations done outside Canada, IRCC’s general translation instructions refer to a translator accredited (officially recognized or authorized) in the country where the translation is done — or a translation by a non-certified translator plus an affidavit sworn before a notary public (or equivalent). The applicant, family members, representatives and consultants may not translate. Some application guides (e.g. study and work permits, citizenship) use narrower wording, so check the guide for your application. | Only on the affidavit route |
| Australia — Home Affairs | Translations made outside Australia do not need NAATI accreditation; the translator adds their full name, address, telephone number and language qualifications. | Not mentioned |
Turkish courts, land registries and many banks, universities or employers set their own rule and often do ask for notarization — follow the exact wording of your checklist. Translations on this site are signed by me, Uğur Arı, a sworn translator registered with the Kartal 12th (Istanbul) and Gebze 19th Notary Offices.
When do you need notarization?
In my practice, Turkish court files, title-deed (tapu) transactions, powers of attorney, inheritance and marriage registration usually require notarization on top of the sworn translation — this is observed practice, not a single written rule, and the requesting office has the final say. The notary certifies the translator's signature, not the content; accuracy remains the sworn translator's responsibility.
What does it cost?
Translation: 850 ₺ for a single-page official document (price list dated 25 July 2026). Notary: there is no single ‘notarization price’. The notary office calculates it under the 2026 Notary Fee Tariff (Official Gazette of 30 December 2025, No. 33123) together with the statutory fees (harç) due under the Fees Law. Fixed tariff items include a comparison fee of 80.68 TL per page for documents written outside and brought in for certification (Art. 5) and a notary fee of 30% of the statutory fee, never below 58.82 TL (Art. 1). My own estimate — not an official figure — is roughly 1,060–1,770 ₺ for IDs and passports and 1,900–3,000 ₺ for diplomas and transcripts; the exact amount is set by the notary office on the day.
How do I know which one I need?
Check the wording of the institution requesting the document: "sworn translation" or "certified translation" is usually satisfied by the sworn signature; "notarized translation" means the notary layer is required. If unsure, send the document and the requirement text on WhatsApp — I'll tell you which one applies, free of charge.
e.g. passport, ID card, birth record, driving licence, criminal record, marriage certificate
e.g. diploma, one-page transcript, student certificate, certificate, equivalence certificate; long transcripts quoted in writing
Which class your document falls into, and whether any extra step is needed, is confirmed after document review. Prices are the same Turkish lira tariff as for clients in Türkiye; foreign-currency figures are approximate. Notarisation, apostille, courier and other extra steps are not included and are listed separately in your written quote. Foreign-currency figures are calculated from the Central Bank of the Republic of Türkiye buying rate of 9 October 2026 (NZD: ECB cross rate) and rounded up to .99.
Does every sworn translation need to go through a notary?
No. Notarization is needed only when the receiving institution asks for it. The published translation rules of USCIS (US), GOV.UK (UK) and Home Affairs (Australia) do not mention a notary; Turkish courts, land registries and some institutions do require it.
Does the notary check the translation itself?
No — the notary certifies the sworn translator's signature and authority. The accuracy of the translation is the sworn translator's legal responsibility.
- US — 8 CFR 103.2(b)(3) ‘Translations’ (eCFR) →
- UK — GOV.UK: Certifying a document (translations) →
- Canada — IRCC: documents in a language other than English or French →
- Canada — IRCC: what an affidavit for a translation is →
- Australia — Home Affairs: translating documents →
- Türkiye — 2026 Notary Fee Tariff (Official Gazette 30.12.2025, No. 33123) →
- Türkiye — Notary Law No. 1512 (mevzuat.gov.tr) →
- Canada — IRCC: general translation instructions (inside / outside Canada, affidavit) →
Public official sources; rules can change — verify the current version before you apply.
Requirements are ultimately set by the receiving institution, notary office or authority; practices vary and cannot be guaranteed. This guide is general information, not legal advice.
Send Your Document First. Pay After Reviewing Your Quote.
Certified translation requirements can vary by document and receiving authority. Send your document via WhatsApp, talk to me directly, and get a written quote covering the translation, any required certification and delivery options before making payment.
- Send your document. A photo or PDF by WhatsApp, and tell me where it will be used.
- I review it. The document, its language pair, the purpose and the service you need — including whether notarisation, an apostille, a signed paper copy or international delivery is needed.
- You receive a written quote. Translation, any required certification, delivery and turnaround, before you pay.
- I prepare your translation. No upfront payment is required for the translation.
- You see it first. Once your translation is completed, I share a watermarked preview showing a suitable part of the document. The preview does not expose unnecessary personal data and does not replace the signed and stamped official document.
- Then you pay. After your payment is confirmed, I deliver the final, watermark-free translation with the translator’s statement, signature and stamp in the agreed format.
See that your translation is ready before you pay. No upfront payment is required, either to request a quote or for the translation. I cannot guarantee that a foreign authority will accept a document; where its requirements are unclear, I tell you to confirm them with the receiving authority before you pay.
I accept credit and debit cards. After you accept the written quote, you can pay by card, by bank transfer to my IBAN, or by Western Union where delivery to a bank account is available from your location; cash is possible in person in Türkiye. Card payments are made through a secure payment link in US dollars (USD); card charges, if any, are stated in your quote.
Send Your Document on WhatsApp ↗Ask a sworn translator about your document before paying.
Who provides this: İngilizce Yeminli Çeviri — Uğur Arı, sworn translator registered at the Kartal 12th (Tuzla, Istanbul) and Gebze 19th Notary Offices. Turkish ↔ English sworn translation, online, with the same Turkish lira prices worldwide.