Short answer: If you live in Germany or another country, you can run a divorce case in Türkiye through your lawyer under a power of attorney with special authority issued at a Turkish consulate. In a contested case you generally do not need to attend the hearings in person; in an uncontested divorce the judge hears the parties, so you must attend one hearing. If your spouse has filed a case, the period to respond is only two weeks from service of the petition. A divorce judgment given in Türkiye is not automatically valid in Germany; it must be recognised there separately. No outcome can be guaranteed.
Last updated: 9 October 2026 · Written by Av. Osman Turhan, Ankara Bar Association No. 2
This page is a roadmap for people who want to follow a divorce case that has been or will be filed in Türkiye from abroad. Under each heading we link to a more detailed article; those articles are in Turkish.
My spouse has filed a case in Türkiye. What should I do?
- Check the file: You can check through the UYAP Citizen Portal on e-Devlet whether a case has been filed against you.
- Mind the time limit: From the moment you are served, you have two weeks to file a response. If this period is missed, your right of defence is seriously weakened.
- Do not avoid service: Refusing to accept the documents does not stop the time running; the court may proceed in your absence and give a judgment in absentia.
- Appoint a representative: In a contested case, your lawyer represents you at the hearings.
Detail: How is a divorce case in Türkiye followed from abroad? (Turkish)
I want to file for divorce in Türkiye
Divorce cases are heard by Family Courts. The case can be filed where one of the spouses resides or where they have lived together for the last six months before the case (Turkish Civil Code, art. 168). To work out whether your case is uncontested or contested, you can use the divorce preliminary assessment tool (Turkish), and for the general process you can read How is a divorce case filed? (step by step) (Turkish).
How is a power of attorney issued?
- Consulate: Make an appointment at the Turkish consulate in the country where you live. Bring your passport or identity card and the photographs requested.
- Special authority: The power of attorney must state expressly the authority to file and pursue a divorce case; a general power of attorney may not be sufficient for this.
- Foreign notary route: A power of attorney drawn up before a foreign notary requires an apostille, a sworn translation in Türkiye and notarial approval. This route is usually longer.
Do I have to attend the hearings?
In a contested case, your lawyer represents you. The judge may summon you in special circumstances such as taking an oath, or if the judge wishes to hear you on custody. In an uncontested divorce the judge hears the parties, so you must attend a single hearing.
I was divorced in Türkiye but still appear married in Germany
Court judgments are not automatically valid outside the country in which they were given. The final judgment of the Turkish court is submitted to the competent state justice administration in Germany together with the certificate of finality, an apostille and a sworn translation. Enforcement in Germany of monetary provisions such as maintenance or compensation may require separate recognition and enforcement. Nothing can be done abroad until the judgment has become final.
Detail: Divorced in Germany but still married in Türkiye · Enforcement of a German custody decision in Türkiye · German maintenance and wage garnishment (all Turkish)
Documents you should prepare
- Identity card or passport, and your Turkish population registry record
- A power of attorney with special authority issued by a consulate
- Documents showing your income and expenses abroad (for the maintenance calculation)
- Evidence such as messages and photographs, and details of witnesses
- If there is a final judgment: the certificate of finality, apostille and sworn translation
Contact
You can make first contact by phone or WhatsApp; the meeting can also be held online. Our working language for divorce matters is mainly Turkish.
- Phone / WhatsApp
- +90 507 214 19 62
- Address
- Macun, 184. Cad. Gimathan Plaza No: 78/29, Yenimahalle, Ankara
- Hours
- Monday–Friday 09:00–18:00, Saturday 09:00–15:00 (Türkiye time)
Frequently asked questions
My spouse filed a case in Türkiye and I was not notified. What should I do?
You can check through the UYAP Citizen Portal on e-Devlet whether a case has been filed against you.
Must I attend the hearings while I am abroad?
In contested cases your lawyer represents you; in an uncontested divorce you must attend one hearing, because the judge has to hear the parties.
Is a power of attorney made before a notary in Germany valid in Türkiye?
It is valid if the document bears an apostille, is translated by a sworn translator in Türkiye and is approved by a notary. The consulate route is usually more practical.
After a divorce in Türkiye, will I still appear married in Germany?
Yes. Until the court judgment is recognised in Germany, you may continue to appear as married in official records.
How long do I have to appeal if a judgment in absentia is given against me?
You can lodge an appeal within two weeks from the day the reasoned judgment is properly served on you.
Legal basis and sources
- Turkish Civil Code, Law No. 4721 – art. 166, art. 168
- Notification Law, Law No. 7201 – art. 25/a (service on a Turkish citizen abroad through the consulate)
- Law No. 4787 on the Establishment, Duties and Trial Procedures of Family Courts
The information on this page is general; the result may vary according to the circumstances of your specific case. For the law of a foreign country, the competent authorities or a local lawyer in that country should also be consulted.