Recognition and Enforcement Lawsuit in Turkey – 2026

Recognition and Enforcement Lawsuit in Turkey – 2026, (What Is “Tanıma ve Tenfiz” and How Does Divorce Recognition Work in Turkey?)

If a court judgment is obtained abroad, it is not automatically valid in Turkey.

For such a foreign court decision to be legally effective, a Recognition and Enforcement Lawsuit – known in Turkish as Tanıma ve Tenfiz Davası – must be filed before Turkish courts.

This procedure is especially important for Turkish citizens who divorced abroad.

Even if the divorce is finalized abroad, it must also be recognized in Turkey to update marital status and official records. This article explains what “tanıma” and “tenfiz” mean, how to file a recognition and enforcement lawsuit, how to issue a lawyer’s power of attorney, and what documents are required.

1. What Is “Recognition and Enforcement” (Tanıma ve Tenfiz)?

Foreign court judgments are not directly enforceable in Turkey.

For them to have legal effect, the party must apply to a Turkish court for recognition (tanıma) or enforcement (tenfiz).

Recognition (Tanıma): This process allows the decision of a foreign court to be accepted in Turkey as final and legally binding. Example: Recognition of a foreign divorce judgment so that it is valid in Turkey.

Enforcement (Tenfiz): This step allows a foreign court judgment to be executed in Turkey, for example, a ruling on alimony, compensation, or custody.

In simple terms, recognition means acceptance, and enforcement means implementation.

2. Why Is Recognition Necessary After a Foreign Divorce?

When Turkish citizens get divorced abroad, the marriage is not automatically dissolved in Turkey. To be valid in Turkish law, a recognition and enforcement judgment must be obtained.

Otherwise, the person remains legally married in Turkey, which can cause several issues:

They cannot remarry in Turkey, The civil registry records remain unchanged,

It may cause problems with inheritance, child custody, or property sharing.

Therefore, a recognition and enforcement lawsuit is required to ensure that a foreign divorce judgment is valid in Turkey.

3. How to File a Recognition and Enforcement Lawsuit in Turkey

Recognition and enforcement cases are filed before the Civil Court of First Instance (Asliye Hukuk Mahkemesi). If one of the parties lives in Turkey, the lawsuit can be filed where that person resides. If both parties live abroad, the case can be filed in Ankara, Istanbul, or Izmir courts.

Required Documents:

Original or certified copy of the foreign court judgment, Document proving that the judgment is final and conclusive, Apostille certificate (official legalization),

Notarized Turkish translation of all documents, Copies of IDs or passports of both parties.

After preparing these documents, a lawyer files the case in Turkey. If the documents meet the legal requirements, the court issues a recognition and enforcement decision, making the foreign judgment valid in Turkey.

4. How to Issue a Power of Attorney for a Lawyer?

Individuals living abroad can authorize a Turkish lawyer without traveling to Turkey.

There are two legal options: Go to the nearest Turkish Consulate and issue a notarized power of attorney, or – Have the power of attorney notarized in the foreign country and add an Apostille certification.

The power of attorney must specifically include authorizations such as: “to file, follow, and finalize a recognition and enforcement lawsuit.”

With this document, the entire process can be handled remotely by the lawyer in Turkey.

5. How Long Does a Recognition and Enforcement Case Take?

The duration depends on the completeness of documents and the availability of the parties’ addresses. If all documents are correct, the process generally takes 2 to 6 months.

If both parties cooperate or file a joint petition, the case may be completed even faster.

6. Court of Cassation Decisions and Legal Practice – Recognition and Enforcement Lawsuit in Turkey

Court of Cassation, 2nd Civil Chamber, Decision No. 2023/4789 E., 2024/1621 K.: “Recognition of a finalized foreign divorce judgment terminates the marriage bond in Turkey.

However, for enforcement of rulings such as alimony or compensation, a separate enforcement (tenfiz) decision is required.”

This precedent highlights the distinction and importance of both recognition and enforcement.

7. Recognition and Enforcement Lawsuit in Turkey

Recognition and Enforcement Make Foreign Divorces Valid in Turkey. For foreign divorce judgments to have legal effect in Turkey, recognition ensures the validity of the divorce itself, while enforcement allows financial or custodial rulings to be executed.

These procedures require expert knowledge of international and Turkish family law.

Therefore, hiring an experienced Recognition and Enforcement Lawyer in Turkey is the best way to ensure the process runs smoothly and efficiently. Recognition and Enforcement Lawsuit in Turkey