{"id":730,"date":"2019-02-24T17:31:19","date_gmt":"2019-02-24T15:31:19","guid":{"rendered":"http:\/\/www.cbhukuk.com\/?page_id=730"},"modified":"2026-09-17T19:58:35","modified_gmt":"2026-09-17T19:58:35","slug":"marriage-in-turkey","status":"publish","type":"page","link":"https:\/\/www.cbhukuk.com\/en\/practice-areas\/family-law\/marriage-in-turkey\/","title":{"rendered":"Marriage in Turkey"},"content":{"rendered":"
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THE INSTITUTION OF MARRIAGE IN TURKEY<\/h1>\n

In Turkey, marriage constitutes a legal act subject to formal requirements and takes place in the presence of a marriage officer and witnesses.<\/strong> The marriage contract is considered complete once the parties express their mutual and affirmative declarations of intent.<\/strong> In this respect, marriage in Turkey is not only a social union but also a contract<\/strong><\/a> specific to family law.<\/strong><\/p>\n

The Turkish Civil Code prescribes certain capacity and formal requirements for a marriage to be valid in Turkey.<\/strong> Accordingly, individuals who possess discernment, have reached the age of eighteen, and are not under legal restriction have full capacity to marry.<\/strong> Persons with limited capacity who possess discernment but are underage, as well as those who have reached the marriageable age but are not yet of full legal age, are considered to have limited capacity to marry in Turkey.<\/strong><\/p>\n

Conversely, marriages entered into by individuals lacking discernment are deemed invalid under the Turkish legal system.<\/strong> If a person permanently lacks the capacity to discern, absolute nullity applies<\/strong>; if the lack of discernment is temporary at the time of marriage, relative nullity provisions are applied.<\/strong><\/p>\n

These regulations aim to protect the institution of marriage within the Turkish legal system<\/strong> in accordance with the principles of freedom of will, public order, and family integrity.<\/p>\n<\/div><\/div>

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Turkish Civil Code<\/strong><\/a> Article 124:<\/strong> A man or woman cannot marry before reaching the age of seventeen. However, in extraordinary circumstances and for significant reasons, a man or woman who has reached the age of sixteen may be allowed to marry by a judge. If possible, the opinions of the parents or guardians are heard before making a decision.<\/p>\n<\/div><\/div><\/div><\/div><\/div><\/div><\/div><\/section>

LEGAL ASPECTS OF MARRIAGE IN TURKEY<\/strong><\/h2>\n

In Turkey, marriage<\/strong> is a legal institution<\/strong> extensively regulated by the Turkish Civil Code<\/strong>. The Civil Code<\/strong> provides the fundamental legal framework<\/strong> regarding the formation, dissolution, and the rights and obligations of spouses<\/strong> within the marital union.<\/p>\n

For a marriage in Turkey to be validly established, certain conditions prescribed by law must be fulfilled.<\/strong> According to the Turkish Civil Code, the free consent of individuals with legal capacity to marry<\/strong> and the official marriage contract<\/strong> are essential requirements<\/strong> for the formation of marriage in Turkey<\/strong>. Additionally, there must be no impediment to marriage<\/strong>, and the parties\u2019 consent must be given freely without coercion, mistake, or fraud<\/strong>.<\/p>\n

Once a marriage in Turkey<\/strong> is established, mutual rights and obligations<\/strong> arise between the spouses. Within this framework, spouses are responsible to each other for duties such as fidelity, cohabitation, mutual assistance, and solidarity<\/strong>. Moreover, the rules of the marital property regime<\/strong> play a significant role<\/strong> within the marital union. According to the Turkish Civil Code<\/strong>, the statutory marital property regime is the participation in acquired property<\/strong>, which applies unless the spouses have agreed otherwise. These provisions regulate the ownership and division of property<\/strong> acquired during the marriage and determine how the property will be liquidated in the event of the dissolution of the marriage in Turkey<\/strong>.<\/p>\n

Marriage in Turkey<\/strong> may end for various reasons provided by law, including divorce, death, or annulment by court decision. <\/strong>Divorce in Turkey can only be granted by a court<\/strong> based on the specific and general grounds for divorce in Turkey<\/a><\/strong> stipulated in the law. At the conclusion of the divorce process in Turkey<\/strong><\/a>, the court also decides on the liquidation of the property regime<\/strong> and, if applicable, child custody, alimony<\/a>, and arrangements regarding personal relations<\/strong>.<\/p>\n

The Turkish Civil Code<\/strong> safeguards the institution of marriage in Turkey<\/strong> to ensure social order<\/strong> and the protection of the family unit<\/strong>. Within this scope, spouses and children<\/strong> enjoy special protection<\/strong>. In cases of domestic violence<\/a>, mistreatment, insults<\/a>, or fraud<\/a><\/strong> by one spouse against the other, legal protective measures<\/strong> are applied in favor of the victimized spouse and children<\/strong>.<\/p>\n

In conclusion, marriage in Turkey<\/strong> is not only a private bond between individuals<\/strong> but also a legal institution with public order implications<\/strong>. The Turkish Civil Code<\/strong> regulates in detail the rights and obligations of the parties<\/strong> from the establishment to the dissolution of the marriage<\/strong>, aiming to ensure the stability of the family unit<\/strong> and the legal security of individuals<\/strong>.<\/p>\n

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WHAT ARE THE REQUIREMENTS FOR MARRIAGE IN TURKEY?<\/h2>\n

Marriage is a fundamental institution that produces both legal and social consequences<\/strong> in individuals\u2019 lives. The institution of<\/strong> marriage in Turkey<\/strong> is regulated under the Turkish Civil Code<\/strong>, and in order for a marriage to be valid<\/strong>, certain conditions prescribed by law<\/strong> must be fulfilled.<\/p>\n

1. Marriage Age in Turkey<\/strong><\/h3>\n

Article 124 of the Turkish Civil Code<\/strong> regulates the ordinary marriage age in Turkey<\/strong>. According to Article 124\/1<\/strong>:<\/p>\n

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No male or female may marry before reaching the age of seventeen.<\/strong><\/p>\n<\/blockquote>\n

Accordingly, the ordinary marriage age in Turkey is set at 17<\/strong>, and as a rule individuals below this age cannot marry. However, provided that they possess discernment<\/strong>, there is no upper age limit; older individuals also have the<\/strong> right to marry<\/strong>.<\/p>\n

Article 124\/2<\/strong> provides for marriage at an early age with court permission in Turkey<\/strong>:<\/p>\n

\u201cHowever, in extraordinary circumstances and for very important reasons, a judge may permit a male or female who has reached the age of sixteen to marry. As far as possible, the parents or guardian shall be heard prior to the decision.\u201d<\/strong><\/p>\n

Under this provision, individuals aged 16<\/strong> may be granted permission to marry<\/strong> by the Family Court<\/strong> in the presence of extraordinary circumstances<\/strong> or very important reasons<\/strong>. Before issuing a decision, the court, if possible, hears the views of the parents or guardian<\/strong> of the parties.<\/p>\n

2. Impediments to Marriage in Turkey<\/strong><\/h3>\n

Another fundamental condition for the validity of marriage in Turkey<\/strong> is the absence of any impediment<\/strong> to marriage. The Turkish Civil Code explicitly regulates various situations that prohibit or prevent marriage<\/strong>. These include:<\/p>\n