How to Get a Denklik Belgesi for Turkish School Enrollment
Transferring Your Child to a Turkish School: Obtaining the Denklik Belgesi
Moving to Turkey with a family and children always raises an important question — where and how your child will continue their education. To enroll in a public or private school, foreign students need to obtain the Denklik Belgesi — a certificate recognizing their previous education. Without it, the child cannot be admitted to the Turkish education system.
What is the Denklik Belgesi?
Denklik (equivalency) is the process of recognizing foreign school reports, transcripts, or certificates. The document confirms the education a child has completed abroad and determines which grade they are eligible for in Turkey.
The Ministry of National Education of Turkey (MEB – Milli Eğitim Bakanlığı) is responsible for issuing this certificate.
Where to Apply
Since 2021, the process has been fully digital:
Through the portal, parents can submit an online application, choose a date and location for the appointment (randevu) at the local education directorate (İl/İlçe Milli Eğitim Müdürlüğü). At the scheduled time, you must appear in person with the original documents.
Required Documents
The standard list of documents usually includes:
- Child’s passport and a copy
- İkamet (residence permit) or proof of legal stay
- Educational documents from abroad: school reports, diplomas, or transcripts
- Must include the school’s official stamp and the principal’s signature
- Sometimes an apostille is required
- Translations of all documents into Turkish, notarized or certified by a Turkish consulate
- Photos (usually 1–2, but check in advance)
- Parent’s application form (completed at the education directorate)
Important: Documents in Cyrillic or other alphabets must have a notarized Turkish translation.
Step-by-Step Process
- Register on edenklik.meb.gov.tr
- Complete the online application and select an appointment date
- Attend the appointment in person with all original documents
- Documents are reviewed and the Denklik Belgesi is issued
- In simple cases, the certificate can be issued the same day
- Sometimes the process may take a few days
- School enrollment: once you have the Denklik Belgesi, parents submit the documents to a public or private school
Key Points to Remember
- Stamps and Signatures: Even a notarized translation without the school’s stamp or principal’s signature can be rejected.
- Differences in Education Systems: For example, if your child’s home country had 11 years of schooling and Turkey has 12, the child may be placed in the grade corresponding to their age, with previous years taken into account.
- Turkish Language Skills: Children who do not speak Turkish may be required to attend preparatory or adaptation classes in some schools.
- Private Schools: Can assist with paperwork, but only the MEB issues the official Denklik Belgesi.
- Local Variations: Requirements can differ slightly by district (ilçe), so always confirm the exact document list for your area.
How Long It Takes
- Online application: 10–15 minutes
- Appointment (randevu): usually within a few days or weeks, depending on the city and season
- Certificate issuance: from one day to a week if all documents are in order
Warning: Do not submit fake or inaccurate documents. This can lead to refusal of the Denklik Belgesi and complications with your child’s schooling in Turkey.
Common Issues and Solutions
Missing documents:
If you lack certain educational records (e.g., lost report card), request duplicates from the previous school. Sometimes a notarized explanation of missing documents is required.
Differences in curriculum:
If there is a significant mismatch in subjects studied, the commission may require additional exams or place the child in a lower grade for one year.
Successful practice: Families report that having a complete, properly prepared document package usually makes the process quick and straightforward.
Summary
Obtaining a Denklik Belgesi is a mandatory step for transferring your child to a Turkish school. The process is not difficult but requires careful attention to documents: official stamps, signatures, and notarized translations. It’s best to start preparation early so your child can begin the school year without delays.
The Turkish education system generally aligns with international standards, and with properly prepared documents, transferring a child to a Turkish school is smooth and manageable.
Key Terms
Denklik Belgesi MEB İlçe Milli Eğitim Müdürlüğü Randevu
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