Marriage
Citizenship Test
Do you meet the application requirements based on your marriage to a Turkish citizen? Let’s review the three-year period and the required conditions together.
The first sentence of the law reads: “Marriage to a Turkish citizen does not automatically grant Turkish citizenship.” Marriage gives rise only to the right to make an application; the decision is made by the Ministry.
Your official marriage date
The three conditions required by law
In addition to the three-year period, the following requirements must also be met.
Living in a close-knit family
5901, Section 16(1)(a)
You must be actually living with your spouse. The provincial police department will investigate this on-site and record its findings on the investigation form.
Refraining from engaging in activities incompatible with the marriage
5901, Section 16(1)(b)
The regulation specifies this condition as “conduct such as engaging in prostitution or acting as a pimp in a manner incompatible with the institution of marriage.”
There are no obstacles related to national security or public order
5901, Art. 16/1-c
There must be no circumstances regarding you that would constitute an obstacle to national security or public order. This is determined through a security investigation.
Those Who Are Not Sought on This Path
The following requirements for citizenship through the general route (five years of residence) are not required when obtaining citizenship through marriage:
- To have resided in Turkey for five consecutive years
- To be able to speak Turkish well enough
- To have an income or occupation that provides for the livelihood of oneself and one’s dependents
- A medical certificate stating that the individual does not have any medical conditions that pose a risk to public health
- To have good morals
What You Need to Know Before Applying
Marriage alone does not grant citizenship
5901, Section 16/1
The first sentence of the law is clear: “Marriage to a Turkish citizen does not automatically confer Turkish citizenship.” Marriage merely grants the right to apply; the decision rests with the Ministry.
If your spouse became a Turkish citizen later, the period starts over from the beginning
Regulation, Art. 25(3)
If a spouse acquired Turkish citizenship after marriage, the three-year period is counted not from the date of marriage but from the date the spouse acquired citizenship. Even in a ten-year marriage, the period may have just begun.
You and your spouse will be interviewed separately
Regulation, Articles 29 and 30
The Commission will interview you and your spouse—both separately and together—to determine whether your marriage is genuine or was entered into for the purpose of obtaining citizenship. For applications filed from abroad, the interview is conducted by the consulate.
An ongoing trial dismisses the petition
Regulation, Art. 25(2)(c)
If you are currently on trial for any crime, or if you have been convicted or are in custody, your application will not be accepted. You must wait until the outcome is finalized.
Timing Is Crucial When a Spouse Dies
5901, Section 16(2)
If a Turkish citizen’s spouse dies AFTER the application is filed, the requirement to live together as a family is waived. However, if the death occurred BEFORE the date of application, the marriage is deemed to have ended, and this option is no longer available.
If a marriage is annulled, good faith is preserved
Law No. 5901, Section 16(3) · Regulation, Section 31
Even if the marriage is declared null and void, you will retain your Turkish citizenship if it is determined that you acted in good faith when entering into the marriage. A child born of a marriage declared null and void retains their citizenship regardless of their parents’ good faith.
You can also apply from abroad
Regulation, Article 30
Under this procedure, there is no requirement to reside in Turkey; the application can also be submitted to a Turkish consulate abroad. This is one of the most significant differences from the general procedure.
This tool is based on Article 16 of the Turkish Citizenship Law No. 5901 and its Implementing Regulation. Meeting the requirements alone does not confer citizenship; applications are evaluated through a security background check and an interview, and the decision is made by the Ministry. This information is provided for informational purposes only and does not constitute legal advice. Last updated: September 3, 2026.