Türkiye’s Criminal Record Certificate Now Available in 51 Languages
Türkiye has expanded the digital service for obtaining criminal record certificates, increasing the number of available languages from 43 to 51.
The update makes it easier to generate a Turkish criminal record certificate in a language suitable for use in different international procedures. However, the change only concerns the language of the document and does not alter existing requirements for residence permits, citizenship or other official applications.
Eight new languages added
The latest update adds eight languages to the service:
- Swahili
- Azerbaijani
- Lithuanian
- Estonian
- Norwegian
- Icelandic
- Vietnamese
- Georgian
This brings the total number of languages available for generating the Turkish certificate to 51. The update does not mean that a Russian-language version has been newly introduced, nor does it guarantee that foreign authorities will accept the document without additional procedures.
More than 590,000 certificates generated in 2026
According to figures cited by Türkiye’s Justice Minister Akın Gürlek, 590,812 criminal record certificates in foreign languages had been generated since the beginning of 2026.
The most frequently selected languages were:
- English: 295,846 certificates
- German: 52,244 certificates
- Bulgarian: 36,230 certificates
These figures refer to documents generated through the service and should not be interpreted as the number of unique applicants or as statistics on migration or crime in Türkiye.
How to obtain the certificate through e-Devlet
The document is available through Türkiye’s official e-Devlet digital platform under the Ministry of Justice service Adli Sicil Kaydı Sorgulama.
Users need to log in to their e-Devlet account, select the purpose for requesting the document and choose one of the available languages. Once the certificate has been generated, it is advisable to check the personal information and barcode carefully.
The exact options available may vary depending on the user's account and the information recorded in the system.
Does the Turkish certificate replace a criminal record document from another country?
No. The Turkish certificate contains information from Türkiye’s own criminal record system.
If a consulate, university, employer, immigration authority or another institution requests a criminal record certificate from the applicant’s country of citizenship or previous country of residence, a separate document may still be required.
The expansion to 51 languages does not mean that Türkiye has combined its criminal record database with the systems of other countries.
Is an apostille required?
Generating a certificate in a foreign language and obtaining an apostille are two separate procedures.
A certificate generated in another language does not automatically receive an apostille. A separate PTT service is available through e-Devlet for applying for an electronic apostille for criminal record certificates.
Before using the document outside Türkiye, applicants should check the requirements of the receiving institution. Depending on the situation, additional documents or procedures may be required, including:
- an apostille;
- a certified translation;
- a paper original;
- a certificate issued within a specific validity period;
- additional legalisation.
What does the update mean for foreigners?
The expansion of the language options is primarily a technical improvement to Türkiye’s digital public services.
It does not create a new route to obtain a residence permit or Turkish citizenship, replace a work permit or remove existing document requirements.
Foreigners who need a criminal record certificate for official procedures should use the official e-Devlet platform and check the requirements of the institution requesting the document.
It is also advisable not to share passport details or other personal information with unofficial paid services offering to obtain the certificate on the applicant’s behalf.
