Incorporation · Step 2

Registration at the Trade Registry

Filing with the Turkish Trade Registry (Ticaret Sicili) is the moment your company officially becomes a legal entity. We handle the MERSİS application and all document submissions on your behalf.

The Registration Process

From application to legal existence.

The Turkish Trade Registry (Ticaret Sicili) operates through the MERSİS (Merkezi Sicil Kayıt Sistemi) online platform, with the physical application submitted to the local Ticaret Sicil Müdürlüğü. Under TTK Art. 33, applications for initial registration must be filed within 15 days of the notarization of the Articles of Association. For foreign investors, a Turkish tax identification number (vergi kimlik numarası) must be obtained before MERSİS entry can be completed.

1

MERSİS Online Application

We submit the pre-application through the central MERSİS system, entering all company details, shareholder information, and NACE activity codes. For foreign natural-person shareholders, a Turkish tax number must be obtained first. Foreign corporate shareholders must be entered with their apostilled legal name exactly as it appears in their faaliyet belgesi. The system assigns a pre-registration number.

Central registry systemForeign tax ID required firstNACE activity codesPre-registration number assigned
2

Physical Document Submission

The complete document package — notarized articles of association, capital deposit letter, signature declarations, and identity documents — is submitted to the relevant Trade Registry Office.

Notarized articlesCapital bank letterSignatory declarations
3

Review by Registry Officials

Trade Registry officials review all documents for compliance with the Turkish Commercial Code (TTK). They verify that foreign corporate documents are properly apostilled and that translations are certified. Any deficiencies must be corrected within a prescribed period — we handle all queries and resubmissions directly.

~1 business day reviewApostille verification for foreign docsDeficiency corrections if needed
4

Registration & Number Assignment

Upon approval, the company is entered into the Trade Registry and assigned a unique registration number (Ticaret Sicil Numarası). A registration certificate (Ticaret Sicili Tasdiknamesi) is issued.

Trade Registry numberRegistration certificate issuedCompany legally exists ✓
5

Gazette Publication (TTSG)

The incorporation is published in the Türkiye Ticaret Sicili Gazetesi (TTSG) — the official Turkish Trade Registry Gazette — within approximately 10 days of registration. The gazette entry is the definitive public record of the company's legal existence and is required for opening bank accounts, entering government contracts, and KYC processes. It is publicly searchable at sicilgazetesi.gtb.gov.tr.

TTSG official gazette publicationPublicly searchable~10 days after registration
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What you receive after registration: a Trade Registry number (Ticaret Sicil Numarası), a registration certificate (Ticaret Sicili Tasdiknamesi), and a gazette publication number. These documents are required for opening bank accounts, obtaining licences, and entering contracts as a company.

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Foreign investor note (DYYK Art. 3/a): Upon Trade Registry registration, foreign-owned companies receive the same legal status as domestically-owned entities — full national treatment (milli muamele) under Law No. 4875. The registered company immediately benefits from DYYK protections: free profit transfer, expropriation protection, and access to international arbitration for investment disputes.

After Registration

What the Trade Registry filing triggers.

Registration is not the end — it unlocks the next steps that get your company fully operational.

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Tax Identification Number

We immediately register with the Tax Office (Vergi Dairesi) to obtain your company's Tax ID (Vergi Kimlik Numarası) — required before any commercial activity.

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Corporate Bank Account

With the registration certificate and Tax ID in hand, you can proceed to open the company's operational bank account.

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SGK Employer Registration

Before hiring staff, the company must register with the Social Security Institution (SGK) as an employer — done immediately after Trade Registry approval.

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Chamber of Commerce

The company is automatically enrolled in the relevant Chamber of Commerce based on its NACE activity code and location.

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VAT Registration

If the company will be VAT-liable, we complete the VAT registration with the Tax Office at the same time as the Tax ID application.

Operational Status

Once tax registration is complete, the company can issue invoices, enter commercial contracts, and begin trading in Turkey.

Ready to register your company?

We'll handle the MERSİS application and all document submissions — you just sign.

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