Urgent documents & notary
Need a power of attorney (vekaletname), a sworn translation, or a notarised document quickly — before a flight or a deadline in İstanbul? A licensed İstanbul Bar attorney can prepare it correctly and arrange the notary steps without wasted trips.
If this is happening right now
- Tell us exactly what the document is for — who needs it, in which country, and the deadline.
- Have your passport or ID ready — notary steps require valid identification.
- Bring or send any existing paperwork the document refers to (titles, case numbers, names as spelled officially).
- Note the language you need it in — a sworn translation or interpreter may be required.
- Tell us if it must be used abroad — it may need an apostille or consular step.
- Contact us early — notary availability and translation take time, especially before a flight.
What we can arrange — and how it works
Many urgent legal needs come down to a properly prepared document: a power of attorney (vekaletname) so someone can act for you, a sworn translation of an official paper, or a notarised (noter) signature or copy. Done wrong — missing wording, the wrong language, or the wrong certification — and it is rejected at exactly the wrong moment.
We draft the document to fit its purpose, advise on the notary and any translation or apostille steps, and help you get it executed correctly — often against a tight deadline before a flight.
Documents people need urgently
The most common urgent documents we help with:
- Power of attorney (vekaletname)Authorising someone to act for you — in a case, a sale, a company matter, or a family matter.
- Sworn / notarised translationAn official translation of a passport, certificate or document, certified for use.
- Notarised signature or copyA noter-certified signature, declaration, or true copy of a document.
- Consent or undertakingFor example a travel consent, or a declaration required by an authority.
- Apostille / consular stepExtra certification so a Turkish document is accepted abroad (or vice versa).
- Company / commercial papersResolutions, authorisations or signatures needed before you travel.
Doing it remotely vs. in person
Some documents must be signed in person before a notary with valid ID; others can be arranged with you attending a notary near you, or — in certain cases — handled with a representative once a power of attorney is in place. The right path depends on the document and where you and the other parties are.
If you are abroad, a power of attorney executed at a Turkish consulate may be an option to let us act for you in Türkiye.
To get it done fast — do & don't
Do
- Tell us the exact purpose and deadline
- Bring valid ID (passport)
- Spell names exactly as in official documents
- Confirm the language and whether a translation is needed
- Ask early about apostille if it's for use abroad
- Keep the original once issued
Don’t
- Leave it to the last hour before a flight
- Assume a generic template will be accepted
- Skip the translation or certification step
- Sign a document you do not fully understand
- Forget to check the destination country's requirements
- Lose the original or the notary receipt
The process & timeline
- Tell us the needYou send the purpose, parties, language and deadline.
- We draftWe prepare the document with the correct wording for its purpose.
- Translation if neededA sworn translation is arranged where the document or its use requires it.
- Notary stepWe coordinate the notary (noter) signing or certification, with ID.
- Apostille / deliveryWhere it is for use abroad, we advise on apostille or consular steps and getting it to you.
Timing depends on the document, translation and notary availability. The earlier you contact us, the more likely we meet a flight deadline.
Common situations we see
A few situations we help with around İstanbul and its airports:
- POA before leaving TürkiyeYou must fly out but need someone to continue a case, sale or company matter for you.
- Translation for a deadlineAn official document needs a sworn translation before it is accepted.
- Document for use abroadYou need a Turkish document apostilled so another country accepts it.
- Acting from abroadYou are overseas and want to authorise us via a consular power of attorney.
- Family or travel consentA declaration or consent is required before a trip or a procedure.
Who we help
- Travellers needing a document before a flight
- Foreigners and Turks living abroad who must act in Türkiye
- People in a case or sale who must leave the country
- Companies needing urgent signatures or authorisations
- Families needing consents or declarations
- Anyone unsure what certification their document needs
How we help
- 1ClarifyWe confirm exactly what document you need, for what purpose, and by when.
- 2PrepareWe draft it with the correct wording and arrange any sworn translation.
- 3ExecuteWe coordinate the notary and ID steps, and attend where needed.
- 4Certify & deliverWe advise on apostille/consular steps and help get the finished document to you.
We are independent attorneys registered with the İstanbul Barosu. We explain what is realistic for your deadline and agree the fee before any work begins.
Where we work — IST, Sabiha Gökçen & İstanbul
We arrange documents across İstanbul and are on call for both airports:
- Istanbul Airport (IST)On the European side — we coordinate documents and notary steps for travellers here.
- Sabiha Gökçen (SAW)On the Asian side — same service, same urgency, covered too.
Key terms
- Power of attorney (vekaletname)
- A document authorising someone to act on your behalf.
- Notary (noter)
- The official who certifies signatures, copies and certain documents in Türkiye.
- Sworn translation
- An official translation certified for legal use.
- Apostille
- An international certification so a document is accepted in another country.
- Consular vekaletname
- A power of attorney executed at a Turkish consulate abroad.
- Original / certified copy
- Keep originals safe; certified copies are often needed for official use.
Take a breath. The right document, prepared correctly, prevents a much bigger problem — and we can move quickly.
Frequently asked questions
Can you arrange a power of attorney before my flight?
Often yes, if you contact us early enough. We draft the vekaletname for its purpose and coordinate the notary and any translation. Timing depends on notary availability and the document, so the sooner you reach us, the better.
I'm abroad — can I authorise you to act in Türkiye?
In many cases yes, through a power of attorney executed at a Turkish consulate, or another accepted route. Tell us where you are and what you need.
Do I need a sworn translation?
If your document is in another language or will be used officially, a sworn or notarised translation is often required. We tell you what your specific purpose needs.
What is an apostille, and do I need one?
An apostille is an international certification so a document issued in one country is accepted in another. Whether you need one depends on the destination country. We advise on this.
Can a document be notarised without me there in person?
Some steps require you in person with ID; others can be handled by a representative once a power of attorney is in place. It depends on the document.
How fast can it be done?
Sometimes within a day, depending on the document, translation and notary availability. We are honest up front about whether your deadline is realistic.
What do I need to bring?
At minimum, valid ID (your passport) and any existing paperwork the document refers to, with names spelled as in official records. We tell you exactly what your document needs.
How much does it cost?
The first message to understand what you need carries no obligation. If you engage us, we explain and agree the fee — including notary and translation costs — before any work begins.
This page is general information about Turkish law and procedure — not legal advice, and reading it does not create an attorney–client relationship. Laws and practice change and every case turns on its own facts, so please do not rely on it for your situation; speak with a lawyer first.
Last updated July 2026 · General information about Turkish law, not legal advice — every case turns on its own facts; speak with a lawyer.
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One call or message is all it takes. We answer 24 hours a day, every day of the year — for IST and Sabiha Gökçen.