Turkish Citizenship by Descent: Citizenship Through Turkish Parents or Ancestors

In this article, we will examine two main issues:
(1) The process of acquiring Turkish citizenship by birth when one or both parents are Turkish citizens, and
(2) The citizenship procedure when an ancestor (grandparent, great-grandparent, etc.) is or was a Turkish citizen.

How to Acquire Turkish Citizenship by Descent?

Turkish citizenship establishes a legal bond between an individual and the State of Turkey. The first and most natural way to obtain this status is citizenship by birth.
One of the key principles governing citizenship by birth is the principle of descent (jus sanguinis).

For many people, this is the most straightforward path — but there are also important procedural and legal nuances.
In this article, we will explain:

• The legal meaning and framework of citizenship by descent
• Situations where citizenship is acquired automatically
• The procedural requirements and documents
• The legal consequences if the descent relationship is later annulled
• Practical issues frequently seen in applications

Citizenship is the strongest legal bond of belonging between a person and a state.
In Türkiye, citizenship may be acquired by birth (originally) or later (by decision of competent authorities).
The most fundamental of these is citizenship by descent — yet it must conform to the principles of Turkish law.

For example:
A child born to a Turkish father and a foreign mother automatically acquires Turkish citizenship at birth.
But if the father–child relationship is later annulled by a court decision, does the child lose Turkish citizenship?
This remains a debated topic in Turkish doctrine and jurisprudence — one of many complex aspects of the law.

Legal Framework and Basic Concepts

Law No. 5901 on Turkish Citizenship

The acquisition and loss of Turkish citizenship are regulated under Law No. 5901 on Turkish Citizenship.
According to this law, citizenship may be acquired in two ways:

1. By birth (original acquisition)
2. After birth (acquired citizenship)

Citizenship acquired by birth occurs automatically either by descent or by place of birth.
The rules of acquisition by descent are laid down in Article 7 of the Law.

What Is “Descent” (Soybağı)?

Descent means the legal relationship between a child and his or her parents.

• The maternal relationship arises automatically upon birth.
• The paternal relationship, however, may need to be established by marriage, recognition, or a court judgment of paternity.

For children born abroad, it is crucial that the Turkish citizenship of the parent(s) and the establishment of descent be properly registered and certified before Turkish authorities.

(1) When the Mother or Father Is a Turkish Citizen – Acquisition by Birth

Below are the main scenarios in which citizenship is automatically acquired through descent:

1.1. Basic Rule

Under Article 7 of Law No. 5901, a child is a Turkish citizen from birth in the following situations:

1. Child born within marriage
   – If either parent is a Turkish citizen, the child automatically becomes a Turkish citizen.
2. Child born out of wedlock – Turkish mother
   – If the mother is a Turkish citizen, the child is automatically a Turkish citizen.
3. Child born out of wedlock – Turkish father
   – If the father is Turkish, citizenship is acquired once the descent relationship is legally established through recognition or a court judgment of paternity.
   (DNA testing may be required in such proceedings.)

These three situations cover all major forms of citizenship by descent under Turkish law.

1.2. Registration – Notification – Birth Abroad

• Descent must be properly established through notification of birth, recognition, or court decisions.
• If a child born abroad has not been registered in the population registry but later it is proven that a parent is Turkish, the Ministry may conduct an investigation and issue a determination decision.
• If notification was not made within the legal timeframe, a person over 18 may still apply through foreign authorities; the Ministry can then perform a determination and registration procedure.
• The competent authorities for applications are Provincial Directorates of Population and Citizenship (within Türkiye) or Turkish consulates abroad.

Birth Notification Period:
Births must be registered within 30 days in Türkiye and within 60 days if the birth occurred abroad.
Late registration is still possible — in such cases, the Ministry conducts a determination/registration procedure to officially record the citizenship acquired at birth.

1.3. What Happens If the Descent Relationship Is Later Annulled?

In private law, annulment of descent is retroactive; however, in citizenship law, this does not automatically cancel citizenship.
According to prevailing academic opinion and case-law, acquired Turkish citizenship remains valid, even if the descent is later annulled — unless otherwise decided in specific proceedings.
Therefore, the annulment of paternity or maternity does not usually affect citizenship retroactively.

(2) When an Ancestor (Grandparent, etc.) Is a Turkish Citizen – Possible Procedures

Under Turkish law, a grandchild does not automatically acquire citizenship through a grandparent.
Citizenship must always be linked through the parent.
The following scenarios arise in practice:

2.1. “Building the Chain” (Ancestor → Parent → You)

Goal: First, prove that your parent was Turkish by birth, and then determine your own status accordingly.

• Stage 1 – Determining the parent’s Turkish citizenship
  If your ancestor (grandfather/grandmother) was Turkish at the time of your parent’s birth, your parent is deemed Turkish by birth.
  If they were never registered, a registration/determination application may be filed.
• Stage 2 – Determining your own status
  If your parent was Turkish at the time of your birth, you are Turkish by birth.
  If your parent lost citizenship before your birth (e.g., by renunciation), alternative legal routes apply.

FAQ-style tip:
“Does having a Turkish grandparent automatically make you Turkish?”
No. The legal chain must first be established through your parent. This often requires several legal steps or court proceedings.

2.2. Loss of Citizenship Together With Parent – “Right of Choice” (Article 21)

If you lost Turkish citizenship as a minor together with your parent(s), you may exercise the right of choice by submitting a declaration within three years after reaching the age of majority.

2.3. Reacquisition of Citizenship

• Without residence requirement (Article 13):
  Individuals who left Turkish citizenship with official permission or those who missed the right-of-choice period may reacquire citizenship without a residence condition, subject to national security clearance.
• With residence requirement (Article 14):
  Those who lost citizenship by administrative revocation or other reasons may reacquire it after three years of residence in Türkiye.

2.4. General Naturalization Route – Ancestry as Proof of “Intention to Settle”

In general naturalization (Article 11), one of the key criteria is showing intention to settle in Türkiye.
The existence of close relatives who are Turkish citizens (parents, siblings, children) can be used as supporting evidence of this intention — and in practice, having Turkish grandparents often strengthens this argument.

2.5. Exceptional Citizenship / Migration Route

Those accepted as immigrants under the Settlement Law No. 5543 may be granted citizenship exceptionally.
This is not an individual application process but one initiated ex officio by the Ministry and finalized by a Presidential decision.

2.6. The Blue Card – Rights Without Full Citizenship

Individuals born as Turkish citizens who later renounced citizenship with permission, and their descendants, can obtain a Blue Card.
While this does not grant full citizenship, it provides many of the same civil rights and serves as a practical transitional step toward reacquisition.

3. Effects of the Annulment of Descent

If the descent relationship on which citizenship is based is later annulled (for instance, through denial of paternity), what happens?

• Such annulment may be retroactive in private law but does not necessarily affect citizenship.
• Academic opinion and case-law emphasize that once citizenship is validly acquired, its annulment is not automatic or retroactive.
• Nevertheless, each case depends on its own facts and may require judicial review.

In short: Annulment of descent does not always remove citizenship; the effect depends on the individual case and court assessment.

Process Roadmap

1. Was your parent Turkish at your birth?
   → Yes: You are Turkish by birth; if not registered, complete the registration process.
   → No or unclear:
   – Court proceedings and evidence may be needed.
   – Determination of the parent’s Turkish status through ancestral records is essential.
2. If the parent’s Turkish nationality is confirmed →
   – The timeline of their citizenship status at your birth defines your own.
3. If not → Possible options:
   • Right of choice (for minors who lost citizenship with parents)
   • Reacquisition (Articles 13–14)
   • General route (5-year residence + intention to settle)
   • Blue Card (quasi-citizenship for former citizens and descendants)

Checklist of Documents and Evidence

• Birth and registration certificates for ancestor, parent, and applicant
• Marriage certificates
• Recognition or paternity court judgments
• Apostilled and certified translations
• Proof of residence or intention to settle (property, employment, family ties, etc.)

Practical Points to Consider

1. Birth notification period
   – In Türkiye: within 30 days
   – Abroad: within 60 days
   – Late registration is still accepted; in such cases, the Ministry conducts a determination/registration process.
2. Complete documentation
   – Birth certificate, marriage certificate, ID cards, apostille, and sworn translations are required.
3. Proper establishment of descent
   – Without a recognition act or court judgment, administrative processing may be refused.
4. Age restrictions
   – After 18, different procedures may apply.
5. Dual citizenship
   – Türkiye allows dual nationality; another citizenship does not invalidate Turkish citizenship.
6. Administrative discretion
   – Meeting legal requirements does not automatically guarantee approval; public order and national security are also assessed.

Conclusion & Legal Assistance

Professional Legal Support for Turkish Citizenship by Descent

Citizenship by descent may seem simple on paper, but in reality, it often involves:

• Establishing the descent relationship,
• Handling delayed birth notifications abroad,
• Filing paternity or recognition lawsuits,
• Reconstructing the ancestry chain, and
• Navigating rights of choice, reacquisition, and Blue Card procedures.

If these steps are not structured correctly — especially the timeline of ancestry and documentation — applications may be rejected or significantly delayed.

 Let’s evaluate your case together and find the fastest, safest route to citizenship.

Why Work with Keleş Law & Consultancy Office?

• Expertise in Foreigners & Citizenship Law with up-to-date case practice
• Personalized document map and strategic action plan
• End-to-end management with consulates and Population & Citizenship Directorates
• Appeals, re-applications, and litigation strategies for rejected cases

Contact / Appointment

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