Family
Swiss-derived civil marriage with no religious jurisdiction
The Civil Code No. 4721 of 2001 governs marriage, divorce and succession. Turkey recognises only civil marriage registered before a state official; religious ceremonies have no legal effect on their own. Family courts hear matrimonial disputes.
Key rules
- Jurisdiction — National, through specialised family courts in larger jurisdictions.
- Deadline — Contested divorce on the ground of irretrievable breakdown generally requires at least one year of marriage
- Deadline — Protection orders under Law No. 6284 may be issued immediately and are reviewed within defined short periods
Governing law
- Turkish Civil Code No. 47212001
- Law No. 6284 on the Protection of Family and Prevention of Violence Against Women2012
In practice
Turkish family law derives from the Swiss Civil Code received in 1926, which abolished religious family jurisdiction entirely — a defining feature that distinguishes Turkey sharply from most of its neighbours. The 2001 Code introduced the participation in acquired property regime as the default matrimonial property regime for marriages from 2002, so the applicable regime depends on the marriage date. Divorce grounds include adultery, cruelty, desertion and irretrievable breakdown. Law No. 6284 provides for preventive and protective orders issued rapidly by courts and, in urgent cases, administrators, and it is the principal instrument on domestic violence.