Citizenship by investment spouse and children
Spouse and children: family document checklist
Select your family members and the country where the documents were issued. You will see the documents usually requested for the joint application.
The list is general; the authorities may request further documents.
Citizenship by investment spouse and children: who is included and which documents?
Citizenship by investment spouse and children applications are assessed together with the investor's own application. Under the Turkish Citizenship Law No. 5901 and its Implementing Regulation, the investor's spouse and children under 18 can acquire Turkish citizenship at the same time without any additional investment. Adult children are, as a rule, not included, with exceptions such as disability and dependency. A child born after the parent has become a citizen is a Turkish citizen by descent.
Citizenship by investment spouse and children: who is included?
- Spouse: the legal spouse whose marriage is registered and can be proven by an official certificate.
- Children under 18: the investor's minor children and, where a legal custody relationship exists, the spouse's children from a previous marriage.
- Dependent disabled children: in special cases and with official documents, an adult child who is dependent because of a disability may be included.
- The investor's parents: not included; they need to use other routes.
The family application always depends on the investor's application; the conditions are explained on Turkish citizenship by investment.
Citizenship for the spouse
The spouse applies at the same time as the investor and on the basis of the same certificate of conformity. The marriage must be registered before the application. A marriage concluded after citizenship has been granted does not give the new spouse citizenship by investment; the new spouse may use the route of citizenship by marriage, which requires at least 3 years of marriage.
Children under and over 18
- Under 18: included in the parent's application; the age on the application date counts.
- Consent of the other parent: if only one parent is the investor, the official consent of the other parent or a custody decision is required. For the validity of foreign custody decisions in Turkey, see recognition and enforcement of foreign judgments.
- Over 18: adult children must apply separately, through their own investment or another legal route.
- Birth after citizenship: a child with a Turkish parent acquires citizenship by descent and is registered with the civil registry.
Documents for the spouse and children
- a valid passport and biometric photo for each family member,
- the official marriage certificate,
- birth certificates showing the names of both parents,
- a custody decision or an official letter of consent if the parents are separated,
- an apostille or consular legalisation,
- a sworn translation into Turkish with notarisation,
- the family members' residence permits.
Missing family documents are one of the most common causes of delay.
Apostille and Turkish translation of foreign documents
Turkey is a party to the Hague Apostille Convention. Civil status documents issued in a member country do not need consular legalisation; the competent authority of the issuing country adds the apostille. Documents from non-member countries are legalised by that country's foreign ministry and by the Turkish consulate. The document is then translated into Turkish by a sworn translator in Turkey and notarised.
Obtain a recent document
Where possible, obtain recently issued marriage and birth certificates.
Apostille or consular legalisation
Apply to the competent authority in the issuing country.
Translation and notarisation
Have the sworn translation made and notarised in Turkey.
After citizenship: ID card, passport and military service
- ID card and passport: each family member applies separately; see new Turkish citizen ID and passport.
- Military service: sons become subject to Turkish military service rules when they reach the relevant age; this should be considered before the decision.
- Dual citizenship: Turkey allows dual citizenship; whether the previous nationality can be kept depends on the law of the country of origin.
Questions about the spouse and children
Is a separate investment needed for the spouse and children?
No. The spouse and children under 18 are included in the application on the basis of the same investment.
Can my 19-year-old child be included?
As a rule, no; adult children must apply separately. Dependency because of a disability is an exception.
Does a spouse I marry later get citizenship?
Not through the investment; after at least 3 years of marriage, the spouse can apply for citizenship by marriage.
Do I need my former spouse's consent?
If custody is shared or there is no custody decision, the official consent of the other parent is usually required.
Can my parents be included?
No. The investor's parents are not included in the citizenship application.
This guide is based on the official legislation of the Republic of Türkiye and was last updated on .
This page provides general information and is not a substitute for legal advice on a specific case. No particular outcome of any application or proceeding is promised.
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