Notarial Services and Fees 2026 — Charges, Documents and Process

Notarial Transactions and Fees 2026 — Duties, Documents, and Process

Notaries are public officials who ensure that legal transactions are carried out in a secure, official, and provable manner. Notaries, operating under Law No. 1512 on Notaries (Noterlik Kanunu), carry out drafting, certification, registration, and various documentation transactions. In this article we examine in detail the types of notarial transactions, the 2026 fee schedule, and procedures.

What Are the Types of Notarial Transactions and How Are They Classified?

Notarial transactions are classified into five main categories: transactions in drafting form (düzenleme şeklinde yapılan işlemler), transactions in certification form (onaylama şeklinde yapılan işlemler), registration transactions (tescil işlemleri), escrow transactions (emanet işlemleri), and other notarial transactions. These transaction types are regulated in detail under Articles 60–100 of the Notaries Law.

In transactions in drafting form, the notary prepares the document entirely from scratch, verifies the identity of the parties, and records their intentions. In such transactions the notary is also responsible for the content of the transaction. Transactions that must mandatorily be in drafting form include a promise to sell real estate (gayrimenkul satış vaadi sözleşmesi), estate distribution agreement (miras taksim sözleşmesi), adoption application, and mortis causa dispositions (wills — vasiyetname).

In transactions in certification form, the parties prepare the document themselves and the notary only certifies that the signature belongs to the parties. In such transactions the notary is not responsible for the content of the document; the notary only confirms the authenticity of the signature. Certification transactions are generally less costly than drafting transactions.

What Is the Difference Between Drafting and Certification and Which Should Be Preferred?

In drafting form, the notary prepares the entire document and is responsible for its content, whereas in certification form the notary only certifies the authenticity of the signature. Articles 84–90 of the Notaries Law regulate drafting form in detail and Articles 91–97 regulate certification form.

Circumstances where drafting form should be preferred include: transactions for which the law makes drafting form mandatory (such as a promise to sell real estate, estate distribution agreement, will), where any of the parties cannot read and write, where one of the parties has a visual or hearing impairment, and where a high evidentiary value is desired. Documents prepared in drafting form have the character of an official instrument unless the contrary is proven.

Transactions where certification form is sufficient include: certain powers of attorney, lease agreements, employment contracts, undertakings, and declarations. In certification form, the fee is lower and the transaction time is generally shorter. However, the evidentiary value is weaker compared to drafting form.

There are important differences in evidentiary value between drafting and certification forms. A document prepared in drafting form has the character of an official instrument, and pursuant to Article 204 of the Code of Civil Procedure (HMK), the contrary can only be proved by a claim of forgery. In a document prepared in certification form, only the authenticity of the signature is officially established; the content may be contested.

What Is the 2026 Notary Fee Schedule?

The 2026 notary fee schedule is determined by applying the revaluation rate to the schedule annexed to Law No. 492 on Fees (Harçlar Kanunu). Fees vary depending on the type and value of the transaction, and consist of the notary fee, duty, stamp duty, and paper costs. [TO BE VERIFIED]

Notary fees are updated annually at the revaluation rate determined by the Ministry of Finance. The revaluation rate for 2026 has been set at [TO BE VERIFIED]. For transactions requiring a proportional fee (such as promise to sell real estate, estate distribution agreement), a specific rate per thousand of the transaction value is collected as a fee.

Points to note in calculating fees: a minimum and maximum limit applies to proportional fees. For fixed fees, a flat amount is charged depending on the nature of the transaction. For documents with multiple pages, an additional paper cost accrues for each additional page. A supplementary fee is payable for each copy requested.

What Is Signature Certification (Signature Authentication) and How Is It Done?

Signature certification (imza tasdiki) is the official confirmation by a notary that a signature on a document belongs to a specific person. Pursuant to Articles 91 et seq. of the Notaries Law, the notary verifies the identity of the signatory and appends to the bottom of the document a certification that the signature was made by that person.

The signature certification procedure works as follows: the signatory applies to the notary with their identity document. They sign the document in the presence of the notary or acknowledge before the notary a signature already made. The notary appends to the bottom of the document a certification that the signature belongs to the relevant person, dates it, and seals it. The transaction is recorded in the notary register.

Signature certification and a signature circular (imza sirküleri) are different concepts. A signature circular is a document in commercial life containing the specimen signatures of company officials and showing the company's authority of representation. Signature circulars for commercial companies are prepared in drafting form at the notary and registered in the commercial registry. Individual signature certification is the authentication of the signature on any given document.

What Is an Apostille and for Which Documents Is It Required?

An apostille is an international certification endorsed on an official document issued in one country under the 1961 Hague Convention (Convention Abolishing the Requirement of Legalisation for Foreign Public Documents) to make it valid in another member country. Turkey acceded to this Convention in 1985, and apostille transactions are carried out by provincial governorates (valilikler) and district governorates (kaymakamlıklar).

Documents requiring an apostille include notarially certified documents, court decisions, diplomas and transcripts, civil registry extracts, powers of attorney, and commercial registry certificates. The apostille is placed by the competent authority in the country where the document was issued. In Turkey, the authority to affix an apostille belongs to provincial governorates.

The apostille procedure is as follows: the document is first certified or prepared by a notary. The document is then submitted to the provincial governorate for affixing of the apostille. The governorate verifies the authenticity of the document and attaches the apostille to the back of the document or on a separate sheet. The process is generally completed within 1–3 working days. A document bearing an apostille is valid in all countries party to the Hague Convention without any further legalisation being required.

How Is a Translation Certification Carried Out and for Which Documents Is It Required?

Translation certification (tercüme onayı) is the certification by a notary of a Turkified translation of a document drafted in a foreign language, or a foreign-language translation of a Turkish document. Pursuant to Article 103 of the Notaries Law, the notary certifies that the translation is faithful to the original and certifies the sworn translator's signature.

Documents required for a translation certification: the original of the document to be translated, the translated text prepared by a sworn translator, and the sworn translator's certificate. The notary does not personally check the accuracy of the translation; the notary relies on the sworn translator's declaration and certifies the translator's signature.

Principal circumstances requiring a translation certification: using a diploma or document obtained from a foreign country in Turkey, using a Turkish document abroad, a foreign national carrying out a legal transaction in Turkey, and the certification of international commercial documents. The translation certification fee varies by number of pages and language pair.

How Is an Estate Distribution Agreement Prepared at a Notary?

An estate distribution agreement (miras taksim sözleşmesi) is an agreement drawn up in drafting form before a notary by which the heirs agree among themselves to distribute the estate. Pursuant to Article 676 of the Turkish Civil Code (Türk Medeni Kanunu — TMK), for an estate distribution agreement to be valid, the participation of all heirs and its execution in writing are mandatory.

Documents to be submitted to the notary when drawing up an estate distribution agreement: the identity documents of all heirs, the inheritance certificate (veraset ilamı — certificate of heirship), a list of the assets in the estate (title deeds, bank accounts, vehicle registration documents, etc.) and any powers of attorney. All heirs must be present at the notary in person or through their representatives.

The notary fee for an estate distribution agreement is calculated proportionally based on the total value of the estate. A certain proportion of the transaction value is collected as a notary fee. Stamp duty, paper costs, and copy fees are also added to the total cost. For distribution agreements involving immovable property, title transfer fees are also payable separately.

If one of the heirs fails to participate in the estate distribution agreement, the agreement is invalid. However, an action for partition (izale-i şüyu — dissolution of co-ownership) may be filed before the court in order to distribute the estate. This action is heard by the civil court of peace (sulh hukuk mahkemesi) and, if physical division is not possible, the judge orders the estate to be distributed by sale.

How Is a Promise to Sell Real Estate Made at a Notary and Can It Be Annotated on the Title Deed?

A promise to sell real estate (satış vaadi sözleşmesi) is a preliminary contract prepared in drafting form by a notary in which one or both parties undertake to sell or purchase a specific property in the future. Pursuant to Article 29 of TBK and Article 60(3) of the Notaries Law, a real estate sale promise agreement must necessarily be prepared in drafting form at the notary.

The promise to sell real estate may be annotated on the title deed. Pursuant to Article 1009 of the Turkish Civil Code (TMK), the annotation of personal rights on the title deed is regulated. An annotated sale promise agreement may be asserted against the new owner even if the property is subsequently sold to a third party. The effect of the annotation continues for 5 years; if no title transfer is made within this period, the annotation automatically lapses.

The notary fee for a sale promise agreement is calculated proportionally based on the sale price stated in the agreement. Stamp duty, paper costs, and title deed annotation fees must also be paid. A separate application must be made to the title deed registry office for the annotation. A sale promise agreement gives the buyer the right to file an action to compel registration (TMK Art. 716) if the title transfer is not subsequently carried out at the land registry.

What Are the General Points to Be Observed in Notarial Transactions?

The main points to observe in notarial transactions are identity verification, ensuring that documents are complete, correct calculation of fees, and ensuring that the transaction is carried out in the form prescribed by statute. Preparing the necessary documents before the transaction speeds up the process and avoids additional costs.

Practical points to bear in mind when having a transaction carried out at a notary: make an appointment in advance by phone or online; have all necessary documents fully prepared; check the validity of the identity document; have passport photographs for transactions requiring them; and find out the fee amount in advance. Also, since notarial transactions are generally carried out during working hours, time planning is recommended.

It is also possible to appeal against notarial transactions. Pursuant to Article 162 of the Notaries Law, a complaint may be lodged with the civil court of peace (sulh hukuk mahkemesi) against notarial transactions. The complaint period is 10 days from the date the transaction is learned. The notary also bears legal responsibility for damage arising from notarial errors.

Final note: This content is for general informational purposes only and does not constitute legal advice.