Obtaining a passport for children and minors is one of the main concerns for parents planning to travel abroad or immigrate. At first glance, you might think that getting a passport for your child is similar to the process for adults. However, the reality is that Turkish laws for individuals under 18 (minors) are much stricter and more complex due to legal sensitivities aimed at preventing child abduction and managing family disputes.
In 2026, the Turkish government implemented significant changes to fees and administrative processes. If you are looking for answers to questions like "Does a newborn need a passport?", "What are the new fees?", or "What are the conditions if parents are separated?", this comprehensive guide is written for you. In this article, we examine all the steps, documents, and legal challenges in simple language.
1. Why Are Passport Rules Different for Minors Under 18?
In the Turkish legal system, an individual does not possess "full legal capacity" until they reach the age of 18. This means a child cannot apply for important identity documents like a passport on their own. To protect children's rights and ensure no child leaves the country without the consent of their parents or legal guardians, the Turkish government has implemented multiple security layers in the passport issuance process.
There are two fundamental differences regarding children's passports compared to adults that you need to know from the start:
- 5-Year Validity Limit: Unlike adults who can obtain a 10-year passport, the maximum validity for a passport for children under 18 is 5 years. This is because children's facial features change rapidly during growth, which could cause facial recognition systems (biometrics) at borders to fail in identifying the child 10 years later.
- Parental Consent Requirement: No child can obtain a passport without the written and official permission of both the father and mother (or legal guardian).
2. Key Requirements for Obtaining a Turkish Passport for Children
To get a Turkish passport for your child, you must meet the following initial conditions. These rules are based on "Passport Law No. 5682" and the latest circulars of 2026.
The Principle of Blood and Citizenship (Birth in Turkey)
Many people assume that if their child is born on Turkish soil, they automatically become a Turkish citizen and can get a passport. This assumption is incorrect.
The Turkish citizenship system is based on the "Principle of Blood" (Jus Sanguinis). This means citizenship is passed to the child through a Turkish father or mother.
Birth in Turkish hospitals alone creates no right to obtain a passport unless the parents (or at least one of them) are Turkish citizens or have obtained permanent residence and citizenship rights.
Exception: Only when a newborn born in Turkey cannot acquire any other citizenship (becomes Stateless), Turkish citizenship may be granted under specific conditions.
Legal Requirements for Parental and Child Presence
There is a strict rule when applying for a passport at the Civil Registry Office (Nüfus Müdürlüğü):
- Physical Presence of the Child is Mandatory: Even if your child is a newborn only a few days old, they must be present at the office for the government official to verify their identity.
- Simultaneous Presence of Both Parents: The best and most hassle-free method is for both the father and mother to visit the office together with the child. In this case, they declare their consent by signing the forms in the presence of the officer.
3. Required Documents for Turkish Passport for Minors (Full List)
Collecting documents accurately before visiting the Civil Registry prevents wasted time and extra costs. Incomplete files are the most common reason for application rejection.
The required documents for 2026 are:
- Original Turkish ID Card (T.C. Kimlik Kartı): The child must have the new type of ID card. If they still have the old ID or no ID at all, you must apply for it simultaneously or before the passport application.
- 2 Biometric Photos: Biometric photos are mandatory even for day-old newborns.
Specifications: 50x60 mm dimensions, completely white background, no retouching, face strictly facing the camera.
Important note for babies: Home photos are usually not accepted. It is better to visit photographers specializing in child photography because eyes must be open, mouth closed, and there should be no shadows on the face. - Notarized Consent (Muvafakatname): This document is necessary if one of the parents cannot be present at the registry office (explained in detail in later sections).
- Payment Receipt: Includes the booklet fee (Defter Bedeli) and the processing fee (Harç). Although usually visible in the system, it is better to keep the paper receipt with you.
- Old Passport (If applicable): If the child previously had a passport that has expired, the original must be surrendered.
4. Step-by-Step Guide to Applying for a Child's Passport
The passport application process in 2026 has become completely systematic. Follow these steps in order:
Step One: Appointment (Randevu)
- You cannot visit the Civil Registry without an appointment.
- Visit the official website randevu.nvi.gov.tr.
- Select the "Pasaport" option.
- Choose the passport type "Umuma Mahsus (Bordo)".
- Enter the child's information and select the Civil Registry office closest to your residence.
Step Two: Fee Payment
- You must pay the fees before the appointment time.
- You can pay via the Tax Office website (ivd.gib.gov.tr) or through mobile banking apps (like Ziraat Bank, İş Bank, etc.).
- Warning: When paying, make sure to enter the child's ID number (TCKN), not your own. The payment must be in the name of the passport applicant.
Step Three: In-Person Visit
- Go to the Civil Registry on the scheduled day and time with the child and documents.
- If the child is over 12 years old, their fingerprints will be taken.
- For children under 12, fingerprints are not taken, but their presence is mandatory for visual identity verification.
Step Four: Passport Delivery
Passports are not delivered at the office. After being printed at the center in Ankara, they are sent to your home address via PTT Cargo.
5. Parental Consent, Custody, and Divorce Rules for Child Passports
This is the most complex part of the process and generates the most user questions. Turkish law is very precise regarding "custody rights" and "consent".
A) Consent Requirements for Married Parents
If the mother and father live together, the consent of both is mandatory for passport issuance. If the father cannot come (e.g., at work or in another city), he must go to a Notary Public (Noter) and draw up a "Muvafakatname" (Consent Letter) explicitly stating permission for his child to obtain a passport. The mother must present the original of this document during the application.
B) Passport for Children of Divorced Parents (Custody)
If divorced, the signing authority for the passport lies with the person holding legal custody.
- Turkish Court Decree: You must present the original court decree granting you custody with the "finalization stamp". In this case, the ex-spouse's consent is not needed.
- Major Issue (Foreign Divorce): If you divorced in a foreign country (e.g., Germany or the USA) and have custody, this decree is not valid in Turkey unless legal procedures are completed. The Turkish system still recognizes you as "married".
- Solution: You must have your foreign divorce decree recognized ("Tenfiz") in Turkish courts or registered at the Civil Registry under Article 27/A. Until your divorce is registered in the Turkish system, you need the consent of the child's other parent, even if you have been separated for years.
C) Death of One Parent
If one parent has passed away, the surviving parent is considered the natural guardian of the child and can apply for the passport alone. Presenting the death certificate (provided it is registered in the system) is sufficient.
6. Turkish Passport Fees for Minors in 2026 and Validity Period
In 2026, there has been a significant increase in government fees. The costs consist of two parts:
- Booklet Fee (Defter Bedeli): The physical cost of the passport itself.
- Processing Fee (Harç Bedeli): The tax paid for the validity period.
Vital Note: For children under 18, a 10-year passport is not issued. Even if you pay the 10-year fee, you will receive a 5-year passport. Therefore, the most economical option is to choose "3 years and above," which is issued as 5 years for children.
| Validity Period | Processing Fee (Harç) | Booklet Fee (Defter) | Total Payment (TL) |
|---|---|---|---|
| 6 Months | 2,806.50 | 1,351.00 | 4,157.50 |
| 1 Year | 4,103.00 | 1,351.00 | 5,454.00 |
| 2 Years | 6,698.50 | 1,351.00 | 8,049.50 |
| 3 Years | 9,516.00 | 1,351.00 | 10,867.00 |
| 3 Years and Above (Up to 5 years for kids) | 13,410.40 | 1,351.00 | 14,761.40 |
Economic Analysis: If you plan frequent travel, paying the fee for "3 years and above" (14,761.40 TL) is the most logical option, as you get a 5-year passport and avoid annual price hikes and renewal hassles for 5 years.
Student Passport Fee Exemption (Harçsız Pasaport)
Good news for students! If your child is a student (school or university) and under 25 years old, they may be exempt from paying the heavy "Harç" (processing) fee.
- In this case, you only need to pay the booklet fee (1,351 TL).
- To use this scheme, you must have a valid Student Certificate (Öğrenci Belgesi) registered in the Turkish state system.
7. Dual Citizens and Common Issues
Name Differences in Two Passports
Many dual citizens often face issues with spelling differences in names (e.g., "John" in the foreign passport and "Can" in the Turkish one).
Recommendation: When buying an airline ticket, use the exact name listed in the passport you intend to use to enter the destination country.
Turkish laws do not allow a child's surname to differ from the father's surname (except in very specific legal circumstances). Therefore, a surname change in a foreign passport does not automatically apply to the Turkish passport.
Applying from Abroad (Consulates)
If you live outside Turkey, you must visit the Consulate. The steps are similar to domestic applications, but:
- Fees are usually collected in local currency (Euro/Dollar).
- Issuance time is longer (7 to 10 days).
- To sign the Consent Letter (Muvafakatname), if one parent is in another country, they can go to the Turkish Consulate in that country to declare consent and send the document.
8. FAQ: Turkish Passport for Under 18
1. Does a newborn baby need a separate passport?
Yes. The era of including a child's name in the parent's passport is over. Every individual, even one day old, must have an independent photo ID passport.
2. How long does passport issuance take?
Under normal conditions within Turkey, it takes 1 to 4 business days. In peak seasons (like summer) or if applying from abroad, it may take up to 10 days.
3. Can a mother get a passport for her child without the father's permission?
No, unless the mother has a finalized court decree for "custody" or the father is deceased. Otherwise, even if the father has been absent for years, his consent or a court order is mandatory.
4. My child's passport expired, can I extend it?
There is no "extension" in the Turkish system. You must complete all steps again and obtain a "new" passport (booklet replacement).
5. I took my baby's photo with a phone, will they accept it?
90% likely no. Biometric systems are very sensitive. Shadows behind the ears, closed eyes, or an open mouth will cause the photo to be rejected. Make sure to go to a biometric photographer.
Conclusion
Obtaining a passport for children under 18 in Turkey is a strictly regulated process. The key to success in this path is having a new ID card, parental agreement, and awareness of costs. If you have complex conditions like a foreign divorce, be sure to consult with an expert or legal advisor before booking an appointment and paying fees so that your money and time are not wasted.
