Acquiring Turkish citizenship by marriage is a dream for many, but the process can be halted by unexpected bureaucratic obstacles. A rejection based on “Public Order” or “National Security” due to past police records can be devastating. However, a rejection is not the final verdict.
In a recent landmark case handled by Aslan Duran Law Firm, we successfully appealed and annulled a citizenship rejection decision for our client, proving that administrative decisions can be reversed with the right legal strategy.
The Challenge: Application Rejected Due to Prior Investigation
Our client (M.S.H.), a foreign national married to a Turkish citizen for over 8 years, applied for Turkish citizenship. Despite meeting all criteria—including a genuine marriage and residency—the Ministry of Interior rejected the application.
The Reason for Rejection: The authorities cited a “threat to public order” based on a past criminal investigation in the client’s record.
The Problem: Even though the charges had been dropped years ago, the record was still being used to block the citizenship application.
Our Legal Strategy
Founding Partner Av. Yasemin Berna Aslanbay filed a lawsuit in the Ankara Administrative Court to challenge this decision. Our defense was built on three pillars:
Presumption of Innocence: We proved that the past investigation resulted in a “Non-Prosecution Decision” (KYOK). A dismissed charge cannot be used as a criminal record or a ground for rejection.
Genuine Family Union: We demonstrated that the couple has been living together in a healthy marital union for nearly a decade, fulfilling the core requirement of the Citizenship Law.
Unlawful Discretion: We argued that the administration used its discretionary power arbitrarily, ignoring the clear legal evidence of the client’s clean record.
The Outcome
Rejection Annulled The Ankara 8th Administrative Court ruled in favor of our client (Decision No: 2025/1489).
The court accepted our arguments, stating that a past investigation that ended in non-prosecution cannot be the sole reason to deny citizenship, especially when the applicant has a long-standing, genuine marriage. The court annulled the rejection decision, clearing the path for our client to receive Turkish citizenship.
Common Reasons for Rejection
Rejections are not limited to general applications; they can also occur in investment-based files due to technical errors. For instance, under the Turkish citizenship by investment program, a discrepancy between the sales price and the official valuation report (appraisal) is a leading cause of denial. Whether applying through marriage or investment, ensuring that your file meets strict bureaucratic criteria—such as the Certificate of Conformity—is essential to avoid rejection.
A significant number of rejections stem from technical errors committed during the property acquisition phase. For instance, if the appraisal report does not match the regulatory thresholds or if the property is not eligible for the specific residence permit required for naturalization, the application will fail. To avoid these pitfalls, it is crucial to fully understand the eligibility criteria for Turkish citizenship by property investment before submitting your file to the administration.
Why You Need a Lawyer for Citizenship Appeals
If your Turkish citizenship application has been rejected due to:
Security clearance issues (Arşiv Araştırması),
“Public Order” or “General Morals” citations,
Or misunderstandings regarding your marriage interview,
Do not lose hope. You have the right to file an appeal lawsuit within 60 days of the notification.
Aslan Duran Law Firm specializes in high-stakes administrative appeals. We analyze your file, identify the legal errors in the rejection, and fight for your right to become a Turkish citizen.
Leave a Reply