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An official, government-licensed translator in Turkey is called a yeminli çevirmen or a yeminli tercüman. Both words, in English, mean "sworn translator." They're the only translators authorized to translate documents from other languages for legal use in Turkey. After a sworn translator finishes a translation, they'll take it to a noter (notary), and swear an oath that the translation is a true and accurate translation of the document into Turkish. The notary will stamp and sign the translation, making it a legally recognized document. The notary will also stamp the translation with a document number and keep a copy of it in their archives. What is a Sworn Translator? A sworn translator is a licensed government translator who translates documents for legal purposes. To receive the license, they must graduate from an accredited university's faculty of translation and interpretation and swear an oath before the court declaring they will perform their translations truthfully and accurately. All translations made by a sworn translator are notarized after the translator swears that the translation is true and accurate. Legalize the Document First, Then Take It to the Sworn Translator Since the document originates from a foreign government, its origin must first be certified with a second document, called an apostille. The process goes like this: Get the foreign document sent to you if you don't already have it. Send the document to whatever government organization, in your home country, issues apostilles. They'll attach an apostille to the document which certifies its origin. Have the document, and the attached apostille, translated by the sworn translator. To learn more about how to legalize a foreign document with an apostille or similar document, see Apostille: What it is, How it Works and How to Get One from Turkey. Once you have the document and the attached apostille but must be translated into Turkish by a sworn translator. How to Find a Sworn Translator in Turkey Use Google Search Google for your location in Turkey, along with the keywords "yeminli çevirmen" or "yeminli tercüman." You may also use the Turkish word for the language you need to translate to or from. Use the Sworn Translator Federation Website Use the website of the Yeminli Çevirmenlik Federasyonu (TURÇEF, or in English, Federation of Sworn Translators), at https://www.turcef.net/. At the bottom of their home page is a menu of the regions of Turkey. Select the region where you live for a listing of sworn translators, which will include each one's name, address, contact information, and the languages in which they specialize. How to Find a Sworn Translator in Other Countries If you're not in Turkey, you can find sworn translators by contacting your local Turkish embassy or consulate. The Turkish government's main consular website also has a directory of sworn translators, at https://www.konsolosluk.gov.tr/TranslatorSearch/Index. Assistance and Support Turkish Culture, Customs, Politics and Laws Forum: If you have a question about the Turkish government or its laws, search our forums to see if it's already been answered. if it hasn't, feel free to open a new topic. Ken Grubb As a special investigator for the North Atlantic Treaty Organization (NATO) and teacher for the University of Maryland, Ken Grubb has lived and worked in Turkey since 1997. He now lives in Antalya, where he researches and writes guides to help others live skillfully in Turkey.