Turkish documents: modern Latin, older forms and official certification

Modern Turkish uses the Latin alphabet, but official documents may contain special letters, older forms, illegible stamps or historical attachments. An older document is not necessarily in modern Turkish, so we establish its period, script and legibility before accepting the assignment.

Consistent first-name and surname spellings are important for identity documents, particularly where different documents use simplified international forms. Stamps, handwritten notes and reverse sides must be visible in the scan.

Turkish translation services

We offer certified and uncertified Turkish translations. The most common directions are Turkish–Croatian and Croatian–Turkish, with additional combinations involving Turkish and English according to project requirements. For complex multilingual projects, our quote specifies the scope, language directions, turnaround and delivery method.

Services cover legal, technical, business, financial, educational, marketing and website content, as well as proofreading, editing, transcription, localisation and, where needed, layout of translated drawings, tables and specifications.

Projects involve translators and specialists in the relevant field. Read more about our experience and approach on our page about Our team.

Ordering and contact

You can send your document through our online form, by email to inovatus@inovatustranslations.com or call us on +385 91 152 5108. After reviewing the document, we will provide a quote with the total price, turnaround and delivery method.

Key information about certified translation and interpreting is available on our service page for Turkish translation and court interpreting, while this article explains the documents and language-specific considerations in greater detail.

When are Turkish documents translated?

Translations are requested for work and residence, marriage, citizenship, education, trade, property, court cases and business cooperation. Companies often translate contracts, invoices, registry extracts, technical certificates, customs documents and supplier documentation.

Frequently translated documents

  • Civil registry documents and family status certificates
  • Certificates of criminal record and residence
  • Diplomas, school certificates and certificates of enrolment
  • Court decisions, powers of attorney and notarial documents
  • Employment contracts and residence documents
  • Business registers, contracts, invoices and technical documentation

This list covers common enquiries but is not exhaustive. Send the entire document, including reverse sides, stamps, handwritten notes and attachments, as these can affect the scope, deadline and form of the translation.

Depending on the language and purpose, we also accept citizenship certificates, certificates, signed contracts, driving and travel documents, court decisions, training certificates, death certificates, payslips, tender documents, and other specialist and business materials.

Modern Turkish, Ottoman records and illegible stamps

Documents from before the writing reform may be in Ottoman Turkish and a different script. Such material should not be treated as an ordinary modern Turkish document. The quote specifies what is legible and which sections require specialist work.

We do not reconstruct illegible stamps or handwriting by assumption. Illegibility is marked in the translation, or a clearer copy is requested before work begins.

What is a permanent court interpreter?

A permanent court interpreter translates written or spoken text for judicial authorities, other institutions, individuals and legal entities. In Croatia, permanent court interpreters are appointed and dismissed by the minister responsible for justice. Their signature and stamp certify that the translation corresponds to the source text within the scope translated. Inovatus works with permanent court interpreters for many languages.

A certified translation does not automatically mean that a document will be accepted in every procedure or country. The receiving authority determines the required form, number of copies, whether an original or copy is needed, and any additional authentication.

Certified or uncertified translation?

An uncertified translation is suitable for information, internal use, business, marketing, technical and other material where the recipient does not require official certification. A document that is still being amended, signed or corrected is first translated without certification; certification is prepared from the completed source document.

A certified translation is prepared by a permanent court interpreter for the relevant language pair and attached to the original or a copy in the agreed form. Send the recipient’s name and an explanation of the procedure so the quote reflects the actual requirements.

Apostille, legalisation and multilingual forms

Certified translation, an Apostille and legalisation are different procedures. An Apostille or legalisation authenticates the signature and stamp on a public document, rather than its content. Rules are simplified for certain public documents within the European Union, but this does not cover every document or automatically resolve translation or recognition requirements. An official overview of document legalisation and competent authorities is published by the Croatian Ministry of Foreign and European Affairs.

For practical guidance on the order of authentication and translation, read our guide When do you need an Apostille translated?.

Current rules and official sources

Uncertified translations, website content and additional services

Uncertified translations cover emails, instructions, presentations, marketing materials, websites, applications, literary and cultural content, and internal business documents. Proofreading, editing, transcription and terminology work can be included where needed.

For Turkish website content, translation can be combined with localisation and selection of key phrases for the target market. Read more on our page about SEO in a foreign language.

Price, turnaround and delivery

Translation prices depend on the amount of text, language direction, type and specialisation of the content, certification requirements, source quality, file format and agreed deadline. For larger projects, we can agree on staged delivery, terminology guidelines and document layout.

Uncertified translations can be delivered digitally. Paper copies of certified translations can be collected or posted by agreement; delivery arrangements and any costs are stated in the quote. Where technically feasible, we prepare the translation in a format close to the original.

Related services and useful information

What to send for a quote

Send legible copies of every page, including reverse sides, stamps and attachments. Specify the language direction, country of issue, intended use, receiving authority, desired deadline and certification requirements. For interpreting, include the location, date, expected duration and subject. After reviewing the document, we will provide a quote with the total price, turnaround and delivery method.

Frequently asked questions

Do you translate older Turkish documents?

Yes, after reviewing their period, script and legibility. The scope and deadline depend on the actual content.

Can you translate a photograph of a document?

Yes, if every page is flat, well lit and sharp enough for stamps and small print to be read.

Send your document and request a quote

Send every page of the document and state the purpose, language direction and desired deadline. We will provide a quote with the total price, turnaround and delivery method. To order, open our page for Turkish translation and court interpreting.

Request a quote