Glossary
Evlenme ehliyet belgesi — meaning and English translation
An evlenme ehliyet belgesi certifies that a Turkish citizen is free to marry under Turkish law; it is issued by the Nüfus Müdürlüğü or a Turkish consulate abroad.
Before marrying, a person may need to prove that no legal impediment exists: that they are single, of age and not too closely related to the intended spouse. In Türkiye that proof is the evlenme ehliyet belgesi, drawn from the civil register by the Nüfus Müdürlüğü, or by a consulate for citizens abroad; the London Consulate General issues it as a “no-impediment” letter for Turkish citizens marrying in England. The document is valid for a limited period from issue, since marital status can change.
We translate it as “certificate of capacity to marry”, adding “(no-impediment certificate)” where the receiving body uses that phrase. It corresponds to the UK certificate of no impediment, which runs in the opposite direction for British citizens marrying in Türkiye.
English register offices do not require it when a Turkish national gives notice, though some ask for it, and Turkish register offices always do. See marrying in England as a Turkish citizen.