Last updated: 19 July 2026
What Is a Certificate of Inheritance?
A certificate of inheritance, commonly called a veraset ilamı in Türkiye, identifies the heirs of a deceased person and their apparent inheritance shares. It is used in land-registry, bank, vehicle, company, tax, court and enforcement transactions. The certificate does not itself distribute the estate or prove that every listed asset belonged to the deceased.
Heirs consulting an Antalya lawyer or a Serik lawyer should distinguish the certificate from acceptance or distribution of the inheritance. Obtaining the document does not necessarily mean that an heir has performed an act that prevents disclaimer, but estate transactions conducted afterwards may have legal consequences.
Who Can Issue the Certificate?
Legal heirs may request a certificate from a civil court of peace or, where the statutory conditions are suitable, from a notary. Courts have broader authority where the family record is incomplete, a foreign element exists, the kinship requires investigation or there is a dispute that cannot be resolved from official registries.
Notaries rely primarily on civil-registry information and cannot resolve every complex inheritance question. If the record is insufficient or the matter falls outside notarial authority, an application to the civil court of peace may be necessary.
Who May Apply?
An heir, an authorised representative or another person with a legally recognised interest may apply according to the circumstances. A power of attorney used for representation should contain sufficient authority. The deceased person’s identity details and death information must be clear.
Documents Commonly Required
| Document or information | Purpose | Possible issue |
|---|---|---|
| Applicant’s identity | Confirms the applicant and representation status | Differences in names or identity numbers may require correction. |
| Deceased person’s details | Identifies the correct civil-registry record | Foreign death records may require legalisation and translation. |
| Death certificate | Shows the death and date | The death may first need to be registered in Türkiye. |
| Civil-registry family record | Shows legal kinship and descendants | Old, foreign or incomplete records may require court investigation. |
| Power of attorney or court decision | Shows authority to apply on behalf of another person | The document must cover the intended transaction. |
| Will or inheritance contract | May identify appointed heirs or legatees | The disposition must be opened and legally assessed. |
Application to a Notary
For a straightforward domestic civil-registry situation, a legal heir may apply to a notary with identity and the deceased person’s details. The notary checks the official records, has the application form completed and issues the certificate if there is no legal obstacle.
Representation requires a power of attorney or court decision. Current notarial fees are determined by the annual tariff. Applicants should use an official notary and avoid intermediaries claiming to issue certificates privately.
Application to the Civil Court of Peace
An application may be filed with the competent civil court of peace. The petition identifies the deceased, date of death, applicant and requested certificate. The court obtains civil-registry records and may request foreign documents, witness evidence or other information where family relations are not clear.
The procedure is generally non-contentious, but the complexity of the family structure and service requirements can affect duration. A certificate issued by a court or notary may later be challenged or corrected if it does not reflect the true heirship.
Foreign Nationals and Foreign Deaths
Where the deceased or heirs are foreign nationals, the applicable law, international private-law rules and the location of assets must be examined. Foreign birth, marriage, divorce and death documents may require apostille or consular legalisation and certified Turkish translation.
A notary may be unable to issue the certificate where the matter requires interpretation of foreign law or investigation beyond available civil registries. Court proceedings are commonly required in complex international estates.
Appointed Heirs and Wills
Legal heirs obtain a certificate reflecting statutory succession. A person appointed as an heir by a will or inheritance contract may request a certificate under the conditions of Article 598 after the disposition is formally notified and the statutory objection period has passed.
The existence of a will may change the apparent shares and may give rise to actions concerning invalidity, reduction of dispositions or reserved portions. The opening of a will does not by itself prove that every provision is valid.
Can the Certificate Be Checked Through e-Government?
Certificates issued through the justice system and notarial system may be queried through the relevant e-Government services. These services are primarily for viewing or verifying an existing certificate. They do not replace the application required to obtain a new certificate in a case that has not yet been processed.
Does the Certificate Transfer the Estate?
No. The certificate identifies apparent heirship and shares. Separate procedures are required for land-registry transfer, bank accounts, vehicles, company shares, tax declarations and distribution. Estate debts, mortgages, liens and tax liabilities should be reviewed before assets are divided.
Can an Incorrect Certificate Be Cancelled?
Yes. A certificate does not create an irreversible final judgment concerning inheritance status. An interested person may seek cancellation or correction where an heir was omitted, an unrelated person was included or the shares were calculated incorrectly.
Frequently Asked Questions
Can a certificate of inheritance be obtained from any notary?
A notary may issue it where statutory and registry conditions are suitable. Complex foreign or disputed situations may require a court application.
How long does a notarial application take?
A straightforward application may be completed promptly, but record problems or foreign elements may prevent immediate issuance.
Does obtaining the certificate mean that I accepted the inheritance?
Obtaining the certificate is generally an identification step. However, subsequent acts involving estate assets may affect the right to disclaim.
Can one heir apply without the others?
Yes. A legal heir may generally request the certificate without all heirs applying together.
Can a foreigner obtain a Turkish certificate of inheritance?
Yes, where Turkish authorities have jurisdiction, but foreign-law documents and court examination may be required.
Can I see the certificate on e-Government?
Existing court or notarial certificates may be queried through the relevant official services after identity verification.
Does the certificate show all estate assets?
No. It shows heirs and shares, not a complete inventory of assets and debts.
Identifying Heirs Before Estate Transactions
A certificate of inheritance is the starting document for many estate procedures, but foreign elements and disputed kinship require careful review. Attorney Selin ÖNEM KONUR, through Likya Legal Consultancy, can assess the appropriate authority and required documents for the individual estate. For assistance, contact us.
This article provides general information about certificates of inheritance under Turkish law. The applicable law, authority and documents may differ in international or disputed estates.
