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Judicial Assistance Destination Information

Travel.State.Gov > Legal Resources > Judicial Assistance Destination Information  > Turkey Judicial Assistance Information

Turkey

Turkey
Türkiye
Exercise increased caution to Türkiye due to terrorism, armed conflict, and arbitrary detentions. Some areas have increased risk. Read the entire Travel Advisory.

There were no changes to the advisory level or risk indicators. An area of increased risk was updated. Advisory summary was updated.

Exercise increased caution to Türkiye due to terrorism, armed conflict, and arbitrary detentions. Some areas have increased risk. Read the entire Travel Advisory.

  • Exercise caution in crowded public spaces including transportation hubs, markets, malls, government buildings, hotels, restaurants, clubs, places of worship, educational institutions, parks, airports, and major events.
  • Reconsider travel to southeast Türkiye due to risk of armed conflict.
  • Do not travel to the border region with Syria and Iraq due to risk of terrorism and armed conflict.

Advisory Summary
On March 9, 2026, the Department of State ordered non-emergency U.S. government employees and U.S. government employee family members to leave Consulate Adana due to safety risks.

The U.S. Consulate Adana has suspended all consular services. Americans should contact the U.S. Embassy Ankara or the U.S. Consulate General Istanbul for consular services.

Terrorism
There is risk of terrorist violence, including terrorist attacks and other activity in Türkiye. Visit the U.S. Department of State’s country reports on terrorism to learn more.

  • Terrorist groups continue plotting possible attacks in Türkiye.
  • Terrorists may attack with little or no warning, targeting tourist locations.
  • Be cautious in transportation hubs, markets, malls, and government buildings, as well as hotels, clubs, restaurants, religious sites, places of worship, and parks. Be careful in airports and at major events.

Arbitrary Detentions

  • The Turkish government has detained and arrested individuals, including Americans, for alleged links to terrorist groups based on scant evidence and minimal due process.
  • Americans have also been subject to exit bans that prevent them from departing Türkiye.
  • Protests not approved by the Turkish government can lead to arrest, as can criticizing the government, including on social media.

Risks in specific areas

Level 3: Reconsider travel - Southeast Türkiye

Reconsider travel to southeast Türkiye due to risk of armed conflict.

Southeast Türkiye includes the provinces of Adana, Adiyaman, Batman, Bingol, Bitlis, Diyarbakir, Elazig, Gaziantep, Hakkari, Hatay, Icel (Mersin), Kilis, Kahramanmaras, Malatya, Mardin, Mus, Osmaniye, Siirt, Sanliurfa, Sirnak, Tunceli and Van.

  • Following the onset of hostilities between the United States, Israel, and Iran on February 28, NATO air defenses have destroyed several Iranian ballistic missiles that had entered or were headed toward Turkish airspace.
  • On March 9, 2026, the Department of State ordered the departure of non-emergency U.S. government employees and U.S. government employee family members from Consulate Adana due to the safety risks.
  • U.S. government employees are subject to travel restrictions in the entire southeast region since the February 28, 2026, onset of hostilities.
  • U.S. Consulate Adana has suspended all consular services.
  • Americans should contact the U.S. Embassy Ankara or the U.S. Consulate General Istanbul for consular services.

Level 4: Do not travel - Border Region with Syria and Iraq

Do not travel within 10 km (6 miles) of Turkiye’s borders with Syria or Iraq for any reason, due to risk of terrorism and armed conflict.

  • There are heightened risks of anti-Western, specifically anti-U.S. or anti-Israel, sentiment. There is continued threat of attacks by terrorist groups.
  • The U.S. government has limited ability to offer emergency services to Americans in the border regions with Syria and Iraq due to the safety risks. U.S. government employees working in Türkiye need special authorization to travel to these areas due to safety risks.

If you decide to travel to Türkiye:  

  • Enroll in the Smart Traveler Enrollment Program (STEP) to get important updates and alerts from the U.S. embassy or consulate. Enrolling helps the U.S. embassy or consulate contact you or your emergency contact in an emergency.
  • Review the Country Security Report for Türkiye.
  • Review our information on Terrorism and Travel to High-Risk Areas. 
  • Avoid demonstrations and crowds.
  • Develop a communication plan with family, your employer, or host organization. Plan together how and when you'll confirm you are safe (text or call).  
  • Stay alert especially in tourist spots.
  • We highly recommend that you buy insurance before you travel. Check with your travel insurance provider about evacuation assistance, medical insurance, and trip cancelation coverage.
  • Prepare a contingency plan for emergency situations. Review the International Travel Checklist.
... [READ MORE]

Hague/Inter-American

Party to Hague Service Convention?
Yes
Party to Hague Evidence Convention?
Yes
Party to Hague Apostille Convention?
Yes
Party to Inter-American Convention?
No
Service of Process by Mail?

DISCLAIMER

DISCLAIMER: THE INFORMATION IS PROVIDED FOR GENERAL INFORMATION ONLY AND MAY NOT BE TOTALLY ACCURATE IN A SPECIFIC CASE. QUESTIONS INVOLVING INTERPRETATION OF SPECIFIC FOREIGN LAWS SHOULD BE ADDRESSED TO THE APPROPRIATE FOREIGN AUTHORITIES OR FOREIGN COUNSEL.

 

ALL / ALL /

Embassies and Consulates

U.S. Embassy Ankara

1480 Sok No:1 Cukurambar Mah 
Cankaya 06530, Ankara
Turkey
Telephone: +(90) (312) 294-0000 (emergencies only)
Fax: +(90) (312) 232-7472
Contact American Citizen Services Ankara

Consulates

U.S. Consulate General Istanbul
Istinye Mahallesi, Üç Şehitler Sokak No.2
Istinye 34460 – Istanbul, Turkey
Telephone: +(90) (212) 335-9000
Emergency After-Hours Telephone: +(90) (212) 335-9000
Fax: +(90) (212) 335-9102
Contact American Citizen Services Istanbul

U.S. Consulate Adana
Girne Bulvari No. 212,
Güzelevler Mahallesi, Yüregir
Adana, Turkey
Telephone: +(90) (322) 455-4100
Emergency After-Hours Telephone: +(90) (322) 455-4100
Fax: +(90)(322) 455-4141
Contact American Citizen Services Adana

U.S. Consular Agent - Izmir
Emergency After-Hours Telephone: +(90) (312) 455-5555
Izmir@state.gov

List of Attorneys

U.S. Embassy Ankara
U.S. Consulate General Istanbul
U.S. Consulate Adana

Turkey Ministry of Foreign Affairs

Turkey is a party to the Hague Convention on the Service Abroad of Judicial and Extra Judicial Documents in Civil and Commercial Matters.  Complete information on the operation of the Convention, including an interactive online request form are available on the Hague Conference website.  Requests should be completed in duplicate and submitted with two sets of the documents to be served, and translations, directly to Turkey’s Central Authority for the Hague Service Convention.  The person in the United States executing the request form should be either an attorney or clerk of court.  The applicant should include the titles attorney at law or clerk of court on the identity and address of applicant and signature/stamp fields.  Turkey formally objected to service under Article 10, and does not permit service via postal channels. For additional information see the Hague Conference Service Convention web page and the Hague Conference Practical Handbook on the Operation of the Hague Service Convention. 

Service on a Foreign State:  See also our Service Under the Foreign Sovereign Immunities Act (FSIA) feature and FSIA Checklist for questions about service on a foreign state, agency or instrumentality.

Service of Documents from Turkey in the United States:  See information about service in the United States on the U.S. Central Authority for the Service Convention page of the Hague Conference on Private International Law Service Convention site.

Prosecution Requests:  U.S. federal or state prosecutors should also contact the Office of International Affairs, Criminal Division, Department of Justice for guidance.

Defense Requests in Criminal Matters:  Criminal defendants or their defense counsel seeking judicial assistance in obtaining evidence or in effecting service of documents abroad in connection with criminal matters may do so via the letters rogatory process.

 

Turkey is a party to the Hague Convention on the Taking of Evidence Abroad in Civil and Commercial Matters.  The Central Authority for Turkey for the Hague Evidence Convention designated to receive letters of request for the compulsion is the Ministry of Justice.  See the Hague Evidence Convention Model Letters of Request for guidance on how to prepare a letter of request.  Requests for compulsion of evidence under the Hague Evidence Convention are transmitted directly from the requesting court or person in the United States to the Turkish Central Authority and do not require transmittal via diplomatic channels.  Requests must be submitted in duplicate with Turkish translations.  See the Turkish Declarations and Reservations regarding the Hague Evidence Convention. 

Requests from Turkey to Obtain Evidence in the United States:  The U.S. Central Authority for the Hague Evidence Convention is the Office of International Judicial Assistance, Civil Division, Department of Justice, 1100 L St., N.W., Room 11006, Washington, D.C. 20530.

 

Voluntary depositions of U.S. citizen witnesses may be conducted in Turkey, provided no compulsion is used. Voluntary depositions of Turkish and third country nationals require prior permission from the Turkish Central Authority for the Hague Evidence Convention. Oral depositions or depositions on written questions may be taken on notice by U.S. consular officers or by private attorneys from the United States or Turkey at the U.S. Embassy, one of the U.S. Consulates or at another location such as a hotel or office. If the services of a U.S. consular officer are required to administer an oath to the witness, interpreter and stenographer, such arrangements must be made in advance with the U.S. embassy or consulate directly.

Turkey is a party to the Hague Convention Abolishing the Requirement for Legalization of Foreign Public Documents. Turkey’s competent authority for the Hague Apostille Convention will authenticate Turkish public documents with Apostilles.  For information about authenticating U.S. public documents for use in Turkey, see the list of U.S. Competent Authorities.  To obtain an Apostille for a U.S. Consular Report of Birth Abroad of a Citizen of the United States of America, contact the U.S. Department of State, Passport Services, Vital Records Office.

Last Updated: May 24, 2018

Assistance for U.S. Citizens

U.S. Embassy Ankara
1480 Sok No:1 Cukurambar Mah Cankaya 06530, Ankara
Telephone
90-312-294-0000 (emergencies only)
Emergency
Fax
90-312-232-7472
Email
Website
https://tr.usembassy.gov/

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