Frequently Asked Questions
What is required to register foreign nationals in the MERSIS system?
The individual’s residential address, potential tax number, and a translated copy of the passport are required
Can foreign nationals establish a company on their own?
Yes, they can.
Can a company be established using a driver's license?
No, it cannot. Since the system does not allow verification using a driver's license, company establishment is not possible with it.
Which company books must be submitted at the time of establishment, and how many pages should they have?
Books are certified with a maximum of 100 pages each. These books must be provided by the member.
For Limited Companies, the required books are:
- Journal Book (Yevmiye Defteri)
- General Ledger (Defteri Kebir)
- Inventory Book (Envanter Defteri)
- Share Ledger (Pay Defteri)
- General Assembly Meeting Minutes Book (Genel Kurul Defteri)
For Joint Stock Companies (A.Ş.), the required books are:
- Journal Book (Yevmiye Defteri)
- General Ledger (Defteri Kebir)
- Inventory Book (Envanter Defteri)
- Share Ledger (Pay Defteri)
- General Assembly Meeting Minutes Book (Genel Kurul Defteri)
- Board of Directors Resolution Book (Yönetim Kurulu Karar Defteri)
- Stamp Tax Book (Damga Vergisi Defteri)
Can a company be established by proxy?
Yes, it can. The power of attorney must include phrases such as “may establish a company on my behalf” and “may sign all types of articles of association”, etc.
Is a new registration required to add a business activity for a sole proprietorship?
If the new request involves a different business activity, the process is carried out under a separate trade registry record. However, if the request is for the same activity, the process is conducted under the existing registry record.
What documents are required for a surname change? What is the cost?
A petition, two notarized copies of the resolution regarding the surname change, and an entry into the MERSIS system are required. The cost is approximately 800 TL.
Is a health report required for partners over the age of 65 who will join a newly established company?
If there is suspicion that a founding partner lacks the capacity to make decisions due to old age or similar reasons, an official document may be requested from authorized authorities. If no such suspicion arises, the establishment process proceeds as usual.
Are the certification of initial company books for sole proprietorship registrations done at your directorate?
The certification of initial company books for sole proprietorship registrations is carried out by notaries.
Are Cooperative Board of Directors’ resolutions certified by your directorate?
Yes, Cooperative Board of Directors’ resolutions are certified by our directorate.
In which cases is the registration application issued by your directorate?
The registration application is issued for sole proprietorship registrations, branch registrations, company establishments, and director changes.
Are the articles of association certifications and initial establishment book certifications carried out by your directorate?
Limited company and cooperative articles of association are certified by our directorate, while joint-stock company articles of association are approved by both the notary and our directorate. The initial book certifications during establishment are carried out by our directorate.
How can Limited, Joint Stock, and Sole Proprietorship companies be closed?
Limited and Joint Stock companies must first enter liquidation to be deregistered. After liquidation, calls to creditors are published three times at one-week intervals. The application for deregistration can be made 6 months after the third announcement published in the "Trade Registry Gazette."
Sole proprietorships can be deregistered by authorized personnel with a signed petition, the original and signed bankruptcy declaration according to Article 44 of the Execution and Bankruptcy Law, and a closure report obtained from the Tax Office.
We want to establish a new company. Can we use foreign words in the company name?
The company name can be freely determined as long as the sector name is in Turkish
We are registered as a Joint Stock Company. Can we elect a single person to our Board of Directors for a 3-year term at the General Assembly?
The articles of association must be reviewed regarding the Board of Directors and its term.
The durations specified in the articles of association apply.
What is the application period for matters subject to registration at the Trade Registry Office?
The period to request registration at the Trade Registry Office is 15 days. (Turkish Commercial Code, Article 30)
TURKISH COMMERCIAL CODE ARTICLE 30
(1) Unless otherwise stipulated by law, the period to request registration is fifteen days.
(2) This period starts from the date the required act or event for registration occurs; in cases where completion depends on the preparation of a document or deed, the period starts from the date the document or deed is prepared.
(3) For those residing outside the jurisdiction of the Trade Registry Office, this period is one month.
Is there a website where Turkish Trade Registry Gazettes can be viewed and printed online?
To view the Turkish Trade Registry Gazettes online, visit www.tobb.org.tr. On the right side of the opened page, click on the heading "Turkey Trade Registry Gazette," and then register as a member in the Free Gazette Inquiry section.
(Note: Turkish Trade Registry Gazettes published before 2004 are not available for viewing.)
