The citizenship interview: a sworn interpreter beside you and a preparation session on your own file — nothing more, nothing less
Citizenship applications are followed by an interview before a commission at the İl Nüfus ve Vatandaşlık Müdürlüğü. The commission asks about the facts in your file — how and when you came to Türkiye, your residence history, your work, your family, for marriage applicants the marriage itself — and forms a view of your intention to settle and, for naturalisation, your Turkish. A sworn interpreter is permitted for applicants who do not yet speak Turkish well enough for the procedure. We provide the interpreter and, before the day, one session in which we go through your own documents with you so that your answers and your file say the same thing. We do not prepare answers, we do not attend as representatives, and we have no contact with the commission outside the interview room.
Price — one interview
State fees and the notarial tariff are paid by you directly to the state or to the notary. We are not a notary and receive no remuneration from any notary, bank or lawyer.
Last verified: 24.10.2026 · source: Law 5901 and Regulation (commission interview) — mevzuat.gov.tr; NVİ — nvi.gov.trPilot price, valid until 31.12.2026, incl. KDV. Bank fees, state fees and the notarial tariff are separate and paid by you to them.
What the commission asks, by route — and what we do about it
| Route | Themes the commission covers | Our preparation |
|---|---|---|
| Marriage (art. 16) | How you met, the wedding, where you live, daily life, each other's family, children, work; both spouses may be heard | Chronology from your own file: dates, addresses, names. We do not supply answers; we make sure you know your documents |
| Naturalisation (art. 11) | Arrival, residence history, absences, work and income, family, why you want to settle; conducted in Turkish to assess language | Residence-history table from your permits; the interpreter is present for procedure, but the commission will speak Turkish to you |
| Investment (art. 12) | The investment, its source, your ties to Türkiye, family members in the file | Investment document chain summarised on one page: dates, amounts, DAB, annotation |
| Any route | Consistency between what you say and what the file shows | The one thing preparation can honestly improve |
The interpreter translates faithfully and completely, both ways, and signs nothing on your behalf. Interpreters from our contracted pool are sworn before a notary; the commission may also accept its own interpreter — we check in advance.
How it works
Booking and file review
Send the appointment date and your file index. We assign a sworn interpreter for your language pair and read your file so the session is about your facts.
Preparation session
Up to 90 minutes, in person or online: your chronology against your documents, the themes commissions ask about for your route, practical matters (what to bring, how long, who attends). You receive a one-page chronology sheet.
Interview day
The interpreter meets you at the directorate, presents their credentials, and translates everything said. Nothing is added, softened or omitted.
Same-day note
If the commission asks for any further document, you receive a written note the same day with how to obtain it, and we coordinate it under the document pack if you wish.
Typical cases
- Marriage applicant with limited Turkish; the spouse speaks Turkish, the applicant does not; both are heard; the interpreter is for the applicant only.
- Naturalisation applicant who speaks Turkish adequately but wants the interpreter present for the procedural parts; the commission assesses the Turkish directly.
- Investor family where only the main applicant is interviewed in depth; the one-page chain summary is what the applicant needs in hand.
- Repeat interview after the commission asked for more documents the first time; the note from the first session is the agenda for the second.
- Applicant anxious about the day for understandable reasons; the preparation session is largely about knowing what will happen and bringing the right folder.
What can go wrong
- Memorised answers. Commissions notice. Knowing your own file is preparation; reciting is not.
- Answers that contradict the file. A different address, a different date; the commission has the file in front of it.
- Bringing a friend to interpret. Many offices accept only sworn interpreters, and a friend who improves your answers has harmed you.
- Expecting the interpreter to advocate. The interpreter is neutral by oath. Anything else is misconduct.
- Anyone claiming to know or influence the commission. There is nothing to know and nothing to influence. Read our standard.
Questions
Do you tell me what to say?
No. We go through your own documents so you know the dates, addresses and names in your file, and we tell you what themes commissions ask about for your route. The answers are yours and must be true.
Is a sworn interpreter required?
If you cannot follow the interview in Turkish, the office will require an interpreter and in practice a sworn one. For naturalisation the commission also assesses your Turkish, and the interpreter cannot help with that part.
Can a lawyer attend instead?
A lawyer you retain may accompany you under the applicable rules; that is a separate matter and their fee. We provide interpreting and preparation only, and we do not act as your representative.
What if the appointment is postponed?
The preparation session stands; the interpreter is rebooked for the new date at no extra charge if we are told at least two business days in advance.
Related: by marriage · after 5 years' residence · citizenship document pack — any route · our standard · back to citizenship
Send the appointment date
Opens in WhatsApp. Documents are sent through WhatsApp or e-mail during the pilot. Reply within one business hour.