SERVICES AND RIGHTS PROVIDED TO CITIZENS
Founding an Association
>> Associations
Associations are communities with a legal entity of minimum seven natural or legal persons
constituted for combining their knowledge and studies constantly on the verge of actualizing a
common aim, except for sharing an income.
Associations may gain a “juristic personality” as soon as they submit the declaration of association,
the statute and other documents required to the local authority of the residence address.
>> Documents Required







Declaration of Association
Two samples of the statute with each paper signed by the founders.
If there are legal entities among the founders; a copy of the resolution on this issue also
indicating the natural person authorized by the organs of the legal entities and the title,
residence address and the documents related to the establishment of these legal entities.
If there exist foreign associations or non-profit organizations except associations and
foundations among founders; a written declaration signed by the founders indicating that
the Ministry of the Interior has given permission for these legal entities to be a founder of
the associations.
If there exist foreign subjects among founders; copies of the documents indicating the
residence permit of these people in Turkey.
A list stating the name, surname, residence address and signature of the person/s authorized
for official correspondence and written notices.
In case the location of the association corresponds to the addresses stated as residential
districts in the register; a sample of the resolution that should be approved unanimously by
the condominium owners.
One extra copy of each document should be submitted by the associations situated within
the districts out of the Metropolitan Municipality borders for the procedures of founding an
association.
Opening a branch
>> Branches
 Branches are the subsidiaries of an association which encompass other organs within them
with no legal personalities and are established for the purpose of pursuing activities of the
association affiliated to.
Associations may open a branch as long as they remark it in their statutes. The declaration of
association and other required documents should be submitted to the local authority of the
branch residence address.







Declaration of Association
If there are legal entities among founders; a copy of the resolution on this issue also
indicating the natural person authorized by the organs of the legal entities and the
title, residence address and the documents related to the establishment of these
legal entities.
If there are foreign subjects among founders; copies of the documents indicating the
residence permit of these people in Turkey.
A list stating the name, surname, residence address and signature of the provisional
board member and of the person/s authorized for written notices and official
correspondence.
A copy of the plenary assembly resolution concerning the authorization of the
administrative board for opening a branch.
A copy of the association’s board resolution regarding the persons authorized as the
founders.
In case the location of the association corresponds to the addresses stated as
residential districts in the register; a sample of the resolution that should be
approved unanimously by the condominium owners.
One extra copy of each document should be submitted by the branches situated within the
districts out of the Metropolitan Municipality borders for the procedures regarding the
opening of branches.
Founding a Federation
>> Federations
They are founded by minimum five associations coming together within the frame of the same
objectives.
Federations may gain a “juristic personality” as soon as they submit the declaration of association,
the statute and other documents required to the local authority of the residence address.
>> Documents Required




Declaration of Association
Two samples of the statute signed by the founding association representatives.
A sample of the general assembly resolution taken by the associations relevant with regard
to the foundation of a federation.
A sample of relevant associations’ board resolutions concerning the authorization of the
founders in order to represent the association.



If there exist foreign associations or non-profit organizations except associations and
foundations among founders; a written declaration signed by the founders indicating that
the Ministry of the Interior has given permission for these legal entities to be a founder of
the federations.
A list stating the name, surname, residence address and signature of provisional board
members and of the person/s authorized for written notices and official correspondence.
In case the location of the association corresponds to the addresses stated as residential
districts in the register; a sample of the resolution that should be approved unanimously by
the condominium owners.
One extra copy of each document should be submitted by the federations situated within the
districts out of the Metropolitan Municipality borders for the procedures of founding a
federation.
Establishing a Confederation
>>Confederation
Confederations are established by minimum three federations coming together within the frame of
common founding objectives.
Confederations may gain a “juristic personality” as soon as they submit the declaration of
association, the statute and other documents required to the local authority of the residence
address.
>> Documents Required







Declaration of Association
Two samples of the statute signed by the founding federation representatives.
A sample of the general assembly resolution of federations concerning the establishment of
a confederation.
A sample of relevant federations’ board resolution concerning the authorization of the
founders in order to represent the federations.
If there are any legal entities such as to federations founded by foreign associations or nonprofit organizations except associations and foundations among founders; a written
declaration signed by the founders indicating that the Ministry of the Interior has given
permission for these legal entities to be a founder of the confederations.
A list stating the name, surname, residence address and signature of the provisional board
members and of person/s authorized for written notices and official correspondence.
In case the location of the association corresponds to the addresses stated as residential
districts in the register; a sample of the resolution that should be approved unanimously by
the condominium owners.
One extra copy of each document should be submitted by the federations situated within the
districts out of the Metropolitan Municipality borders.
Public Weal Statute
Associations pursuing activities for common good are identified with regard to relevant ministries’
and the Ministry of the Interior’s assessment and concerning Ministry of the Interior’s proposal and
eventually the decision of the Council of Ministers.
>> Qualifications Required





To have been pursuing activities for at least a year.
To have been conducting the transactions in the recent year according to the competition
conditions, especially those exceeding 2011’s designated amount of 78.210 TL.
To cover objectives and activities that will respond to the needs and problems of the
community except for its members at both local and international level and also contribute
to social development.
To devote at least the half of its annual income to this purpose.
To possess a sufficient amount of property holding and annual income to accomplish the
purpose indicated in its statute.
>> Application Process and Documents Required




Associations claiming to be considered as one of the non-profit associations should submit
their applications to the local authority of the residence address with the annexes indicated
below.
A report indicating association’s activities, services and prospective operations with regard to
common good.
A list of association’s estate and asset.
A board resolution sample in order to be regarded as a non-profit association.
Terms Subject to Permission
>> Usage
In order to use proper names such as “Turkish, Turkey, National, Republic, Atatürk, Mustafa Kemal”
and any other words derived from attaching suffixes and prefixes to these words in an association’s
name, the permission of the Ministry of the Interior is indispensable.
>> Qualifications Required

To have been pursuing activities for at least a year


To cover objectives, activities for these objectives, services and prospective operations that
will serve as profitable solution makers for the community.
To have the highest number of members among other collateral associations and to have a
general assembly resolution to this end.
Application and Documents Required
Associations applying for permission may make their applications to the local authority of the
residence address with the documents indicated below.



Association members list
A report indicating the activities, services and prospective operations of the association.
A general assembly resolution sample considering the usage of the terms subject to
permission.
Fund-Raising
>> Authorization
Natural persons, associations, institutions, foundations, sport clubs, journals and magazines may
raise funds in accordance with the common good and with the purpose of achieving its objectives,
providing aid for people in need and one or more public services or supporting these services.
>> Application Process and Documents Required
If the fund raising activity covers more than one district of a province, the fund-raising natural or
legal person should apply to the governorate of that province, if it is within the borders of a district,
than the application should be made to the district governorate, and if it covers more than one
province, than it should be made to the province governorate of the residence address. Following
documents are required during the application process:




A petition indicating the purpose, type and duration of the fund-raising, the amount of the
fund, location (province and districts) of the fund-raising activities, methods and number of
receipts to be used during the fund-raising process and the number of employed personnel
for this aim; a board resolution sample indicating the issues hereby and the names of the
employed personnel.
Clear identities and addresses of those charged for managing bodies by legal entities and of
responsible board members by natural entities.
Name-surnames, Id Numbers, residence certificates, criminal records and two passport
photos per head of those to be charged for activities.
Documents like reports and priced bill of quantities to be used for determining the amount
of funds to be raised.

If there are public officers among those to be charged for fund-raising activities; a warrant
obtained by the administrative chief relevant to them without prejudice to the provisions of
the Law numbered 5072.
Illegal Fund-Raising
>> Status
Which non-profit associations, institutions and foundations may raise funds without permission is
detected and declared by the Council of Ministers upon the recommendation of the Ministry of
Interior.
>> Application and Documents Required
Applying associations, institutions and foundations may make their applications to the local authority
of the residence address with the documents indicated below.




If the applicant is a foundation; a copy of the Council of Minister’s Resolution indicating
its exemption from taxes.
Relevant resolution of the authorised board.
Activity report of last three years.
A petition stating which type of fund-raising from those enshrined in the Law of Fund-raising
will be used and a written document indicating what kind of studies will be conducted with
the funds raised.
Establishing Local Headquarters
>>Authorization
Clubhouses are facilities established to meet the social needs of association members upon the
permission of the local authority.
It is obligatory that associations pursue activities for at least a year to be able to establish a
clubhouse.
>> Application and Documents Required
Application must be made by a petition; to the governorate for clubhouses located within city
centres; to district governors for those to be established in counties within the boundaries of
metropolitan municipalities and in others. Following documents should be attached to the
application:


A sample of the resolution
A written declaration signed by the head of the department stating that the place to be used
as a clubhouse is possessed by a property owner or a tenant, that the main immovable is a
dwelling, an office or an emporium, and whether it is located or not located within the
boundaries of a municipal and an adjacent area.


A sample of the resolution that will be approved unanimously by the condominium owners
for the places of the main immovable that are registered as dwellings in the land registration;
approval of all residence owners and a sample of the resolution taken by the majority of the
votes of office owners for buildings in which both the dwelling and the office are founded at
the same time; a sample of the resolution of the board of directors for office blocks.
An occupancy permit to be submitted by associations for the clubhouses they plan to
establish within municipal and adjacent areas; a document stating that there is no
inconvenience in using the place mentioned to be taken from the relevant municipality as a
clubhouse IN CASE that there is no occupancy permit present; a document given by the
competent authority stating that there is no inconvenience in using the place mentioned as a
clubhouse for those out of the areas mentioned above.
More…
>> Certification of Accounts
Associations are obliged to keep books that are enshrined in Article 32 of the Regulations of
Associations.
These books should be notarized by notaries or provincial directorates of associations before they
may be put into use.
>> Certification of Authorization
Person or persons to collect revenue on behalf of the association may be assigned with the
resolution of the board of directors by also stating the duration of the authorization.
The certification of authorization containing the open identities, signatures and photographs of the
persons to collect revenue shall be copied in three samples and confirmed by the head of the
association’s board of directors.
One sample of each certification of authorization shall be submitted to the associations unit.
>> Notification for Aids from Abroad
Associations may receive financial or in-kind aids from abroad. Financial aids have to be received via
banks.
Associations need first to fill out the form of “Notification for Aids from Abroad” included in the
Regulation of Associations and submit it with all its annexes to the local authority before they receive
in-kind aids and before they withdraw the financial aids from banks in order to be able to receive inkind aids from abroad or to withdraw financial aids from banks and disburse it.
Notification Form should include as attachments;
The sample resolution of the authorized body and if available the contract drawn-up on this issue,
sample of bank receipts, statements and other documents related to the account into which the
financial aid is transferred.
Establishing an International Union or a Similar Entity
>> Entities
Unions and similar entities may be established by Turkish or foreign natural or legal persons by the
permission of the Board of Directors with the vision of pursuing activities at international level in
economic and technical fields.
>> Documents Required






Declaration of Association.
Three entity statutes signed by founders.
If there are legal entities among the founders; a copy of the resolution on this issue also
indicating the natural person authorized by the organs of the legal entities and the title,
residence address and the documents related to the establishment of these legal entities.
The apostilled statute of foreign legal persons among the founders of the entity in its original
language and the notarized Turkish translation of the “objectives and activities section” of
the statue.
If natural persons are present among the founders of the entity; ID numbers of these persons
(copy of the id card, passport and similar documents for foreign natural persons)
A list stating the name, surname, residence address and signature of the person/s authorized
for official correspondence and written notices among founders.
All these documents and data are to be submitted to the local authority of the place the entity is
supposed to be established so as to be sent directly to the Ministry of Interior or to the Ministry.
Application for Access to Information
Application for Access to Information to be processed within the frame of the “Right to Information
Act” numbered 4982 should be made via a petition including:


The name, surname, signature and residence or business address of the applicant,
If the applicant is a legal entity, the title and address of the authorized person and his/her
certificate of authorization.
Information and documentation required should be indicated in the petition clearly in detail as much
as possible.
In this context, one may successfully complete his/her application on internet via www.icisleri.gov.tr
or www.dernekler.gov.tr by filling and submitting the forms provided on these websites completely
and infallibly.
Application for Project Assistance







Associations may receive grants from the MoI within the scope of the Directive on Grants to
Associations from the MoI Budget.
A list of the project themes to be supported is declared on MoI’s website www.icisleri.gov.tr
and on Department of Associations’ website www.dernekler.gov.tr annually on early January.
Projects initiated by associations are then submitted to the Governorates of the residence
addresses relevant.
The Board of Assessment evaluates incoming projects during meetings conducted either on
March or September.
For a project to be assessed in March term, associations need to submit them on the very
first day of April (1st April) of each year at the very latest; and any other projects delivered
within the time period between 2nd April and 1st August annually will be evaluated in
September term.
Any applications made after the first day of August (1st August) to the Governorates will not
be accepted.
Associations, the projects of which are approved, may be eligible to receive grants in the
frame of the Directive mentioned above.
Notifications
Item
No
1
2
SUBJECT
TIME PERIOD
LEGISLATION
ON SUBJECT
Law of Ass., Article 19
Regulation of Ass.,
Article 83
Declaration of
Association
Declaration of the preceding year is
to be submitted annually between
early January and late April.
Aids from Abroad
Notification
Notifications should be lodged
before any in-kind aid is received
from abroad or/and any financial
aid is withdrawn from bank.
It is to be lodged within 30 days
following the assembly.
Law of Ass., Article 21
Regulation of Ass.,
Article 19
Any change should be notified
within 30 days following the
update in contact details.
Law of Ass., Article 23
Regulation of Ass.,
Article 92
3
Final Declaration of the
General Assembly
4
Change of Address
Notification
Law of Ass., Article 23
Regulation of Associations,
Article 17
5
Change of Association
Bodies Notification
Notification is obligatory within 30
days following the change.
Law of Ass., Article 23
Regulation of Ass.,
Article 92
6
Declaration of Real
Property
It is to be issued within a month
following its register at title deed
registry office.
Law of Ass., Article 22
Regulation of Ass.,
Article 93
Notification for Projects
in cooperation with
Public Authorities
Notice should be lodged within a
month after the protocol date.
Law of Ass., Article 10
Regulation of Ass.,
Article 91
Notification for
Representations
Local Authority in charge of the
area relevant should be noticed
about the updated address of the
representation.
A copy of this certificate should be
submitted to the Provincial
Directorates of Associations as
soon as it has been drawn up and
before any revenue collection has
been obtained.
Law of Ass., Article 24
7
8
9
Submission of the
Certificate of
Authorization
Law of Ass., Article 11
Regulation of Ass.,
Article 46
*All notifications should be submitted to the local authority in charge of the residential area where the association
headquarter is currently located.
*”Law of Ass., Article” refers to the Law of Associations dated 04th 11.2004 and numbered 5253.
*Regulation of Ass., Article” refers to the Regulation of Associations dated 31st.05.2005 and numbered 25772, also
published in the Official Gazette.