Research date: October 11, 2026
Living abroad does not remove a mother's or father's right to contact the child. If contact is being prevented, the route to follow depends on the country where the child is, on whether an enforceable court decision exists, and on whether the claim concerns contact, enforcement of a decision or the return of the child. In Türkiye, a regulation of personal contact is sought first and, where necessary, interim protection; where an enforceable decision is not complied with, application is made to the judicial support and victim services directorate. In cross-border cases, international conventions and an application to a central authority are also assessed. [1] [2] [6]
Working in another country, being far from the child's school, or being unable to come to Türkiye on every visiting day does not require the family tie to remain only on paper. On the other hand, the right of contact does not give authority to take the child to another country or to keep the child there on a date of one's choosing. An effective solution is an arrangement that fits the child's life, takes distance into account, and sets out clearly how it is to be carried out.
What is the legal basis for the right of contact with the child?
Article 323 of the Turkish Civil Code (TMK) grants each of the mother and father the right to request appropriate personal contact with a child who is not under their custody or has not been left in their care. Article 41 of the Constitution protects the child's right to establish and maintain direct relations with both parents, unless this is clearly contrary to the child's best interests. The dispute is therefore not merely a question of sharing visiting days between adults; the child's right to maintain the family bond is also at stake. [1] [3]
Custody and the right of personal contact are different
Custody covers the powers and responsibilities relating to the care, education and representation of the child. Personal contact regulates how contact with the parent living apart is to be maintained. The fact that custody rests with the other parent does not leave contact entirely to that parent's free choice. Where no arrangement has yet been made, however, under Article 326 TMK personal contact cannot be established without the consent of the custodial parent or of the person with whom the child has been placed; the dispute must be taken to court. [1]
The right is not specific to a divorced mother or father. Where the child was born outside marriage, a claim may also arise on the basis of a lawfully established parentage. In a file where parentage is disputed, the existence of that legal bond and the standing of the party must first be assessed. In joint custody, it may also be necessary to specify clearly the periods during which the child will live with each parent.
Does living abroad or a maintenance debt affect contact?
Living in a foreign country alone is not a ground for refusing or removing personal contact. Distance affects the duration, frequency, travel and safety conditions of the contact. Both parents must avoid harming the other's relationship with the child. The right of contact may not be used to put pressure on the other parent. [1]
Maintenance and personal contact are separate obligations. Non-payment of maintenance does not justify preventing contact on its own, and preventing contact does not give a right to stop paying maintenance. Recovery of a maintenance claim and the securing of contact proceed through their own legal routes. The steps available for unpaid maintenance are described in the article what to do if maintenance is not paid.
For the collection of maintenance from abroad, see our article collecting child maintenance from abroad.
Which court should be approached to see the child?
In Türkiye, the family court has jurisdiction over family law disputes concerning the establishment of personal contact. Where there is no family court, the civil court of first instance designated for that purpose acts in that capacity. Under Article 326 TMK, the court of the place where the child resides also has jurisdiction; the jurisdictional rules on divorce and the protection of the marital union remain reserved. [1] [4]
If there is no contact decision yet, what should be requested?
If divorce proceedings are pending, a temporary regulation of personal contact may be requested in the same file. After divorce, or in an independent dispute, an action for the establishment of personal contact arises. The child's identity, the existing custody position, the parties' addresses and the reason why contact has not been possible must be stated. The claim is directed against the other parent; in different situations, such as where the child has been placed with a person or where guardianship exists, it is directed at the parties with the appropriate legal status.
Where there is a risk that the child will be lost to the parent for a long period, a temporary contact arrangement to apply while the final decision is awaited should also be requested separately. Instead of simply stating in the petition "I want to see my child", the periods in which the child may come to Türkiye, school holidays, accommodation conditions and communication needs should be specified. Article 169 TMK is one of the foundations for the temporary measures needed in pending divorce proceedings. [1]
Can an existing decision be changed if it is unsuitable given the distance?
A parent's move to another country, the child starting school, or the fact that the former contact arrangement can no longer be applied may require reconsideration. The existing decision may be re-arranged by showing the changed circumstances. The fact that an earlier protocol was agreed does not mean that the arrangement in the child's interests is unchangeable in every circumstance. [1]
In international files, the international jurisdiction of the Turkish court is also examined. The general rule in Article 40 of the Private International and Procedural Law (MÖHUK) is assessed together with any applicable conventions. For protective measures under the 1996 Hague Convention, the child's habitual residence is in principle important; wrongful removal, urgency and other special jurisdictional provisions may change the result. Turkish citizenship or a short stay in Türkiye is not in every file a sufficient ground for jurisdiction on its own. [5] [7]
How are visiting days, school holidays and overnight contact determined?
There is no single contact timetable that applies to everyone, and none is set out in the law. The child's age, development, health and school routine, the relationship with the parent, care arrangements and the travel distance are assessed together. Showing that the requested programme can actually be carried out is more persuasive than simply asking for more days. [1]
Can a longer contact during holidays be requested because of distance?
It may not be practically possible for a parent living abroad to travel for a short contact every two weeks. Longer blocks during school holidays, specific days during visits to Türkiye, and remote communication in the intervening periods may be requested. Acceptance of this is not automatic; the effect of a long separation on the child, the child's care needs and the preservation of the relationship with the other parent are also assessed.
The proposal to be submitted to the court should include the official school holiday calendar, the parent's leave letter and the length of the journey. Public holidays and festivals may differ between countries. Instead of phrases such as "half of the summer holiday", the proposal should explain how the start and end will be calculated, the handover time and the procedure where the holiday programme overlaps with the usual weekend routine.
Is age alone sufficient for an overnight contact?
Overnight contact is examined in light of the child's care habits, health, bond with the parent and the environment in which the child will stay. There is no fixed age for overnight contact that applies to all children. A young age, breastfeeding, special care needs or a long period of separation require more careful assessment. On the other hand, a general assumption based on age alone must not replace concrete examination.
The Constitutional Court, in the case of Murat Atılgan, assessed the father's objections to the regulation of his working arrangements, and the change of a visiting day without adequate reasons, and found a violation of the right to respect for family life. The decision does not require that every requested overnight contact be granted. The main criterion is that the relationship established is workable and effective in the concrete circumstances. For a parent living abroad, this principle explains why documenting working and travel conditions matters. [8]
How is the right to telephone and video contact regulated?
Telephone and video communication must be assessed separately where distance between countries has made face-to-face contact infrequent. The Ministry of Justice's guide on the 1980 Hague Convention requires that proposals for face-to-face or online contact in an application for personal contact be made concrete. However, that statement does not mean that a request for contact will always be accepted in every domestic law case on the basis of a particular practice. [6]
How should a request for video contact be made concrete?
The reason why communication cannot be established by the existing methods, previous obstructions and the child's needs should be explained. In preparing the request, the following points may be considered together:
- The day to be used for the call, its approximate duration and the time zone to be applied.
- Times suited to the child's school, sleep and health routine.
- The help the child will need with the device, according to age.
- The accessible communication channel to be used and an alternative method in the event of a technical failure.
- How notice and a make-up call will be handled in case of illness or a compelling obstacle.
These are elements of the request to be justified according to the file; they are not standard obligations arising automatically. A proposal should be measured and in the child's interests, rather than a programme that excessively supervises daily life, keeps the child in front of a screen for long periods or constantly disrupts the other parent's arrangements.
How is the blocking of calls assessed?
In its decision of 8 April 2026, the Second Civil Chamber of the Court of Cassation (Yargıtay 2. Hukuk Dairesi) quashed the addition of a telephone call at specified hours to an existing overnight personal contact arrangement. In the concrete file there was no evidence that communication had been obstructed; the Chamber drew attention to the burden placed on the mother and to the problems of monitoring and enforcing the judgment. This decision does not mean that video communication is prohibited in every circumstance; it shows that a request should not be presented as a routine calendar item without showing its need and workability. The Ministry's guide on cross-border applications and this decision differ in their facts and function. [14]
A claim of obstruction should be explained by dated correspondence, requests for contact and lawful communication records. A single unanswered call, a technical problem, or the child being asleep at that time is not the same as continuous obstruction. The necessity and workability of a decision must be discussed in light of the concrete case; it should not be asserted that electronic communication will be enforced by force in the same way as physical handover, or that every unanswered call will lead to disciplinary detention.
Where the existing judgment contains no remote communication, the enforcement unit cannot be expected to create a comprehensive new contact arrangement that the judgment does not contain. If necessary, the court should be asked to regulate personal contact again. In a file where face-to-face contact is possible, the reasons for the additional need for communication must also be set out separately.
What should be done if the child is in Türkiye and the contact decision is not being enforced?
If an enforceable judgment or interim measure concerning personal contact with the child is not complied with voluntarily, application may be made to the judicial support and victim services directorate in the child's place of residence. Where there is no such directorate, the civil court clerk's office designated by the Ministry carries out the role. In the current system, the body that handles these proceedings is not the enforcement office. [2]
How does the application and handover process work?
The application is made with a copy of the decision, identity details and contact information. The status of finality and enforceability of the final judgment is examined; interim measures are not excluded on the assumption that nothing can be done until the final decision becomes final. Where there is a foreign decision, its legal effect in Türkiye is assessed first.
The directorate first informs the obliged parent of the requirement to comply with the decision by communicating with them. If contact cannot be established, or if it is stated that the child will not be brought, or if the child is not brought, a delivery order is sent. The steps taken and any handover that does not take place are recorded. Handover takes place at a child-friendly location determined by the directorate, with the participation of a designated expert or the relevant official. [2]
After a delivery order has been served, the entitled parent must notify the directorate at least 48 hours before the handover time of their intention to come and collect the child. If this notification is not made, the obliged party is told that there is no obligation to bring the child. In particular, a parent who has bought a plane ticket should document their notice to the directorate, not merely send a message to the other party. [2]
What is the effect of not attending or of a change of address?
If the parent does not attend after giving notice of attendance, without a valid excuse, twice in succession or three times within one year, the file is removed from the active list under the conditions set out in the law and the delivery order lapses. This result is not the same as the personal contact right in the underlying court judgment ending of its own accord. If there is a flight cancellation or a health obstacle, the situation must be reported to the directorate promptly and with documents. [2]
If the child's place of residence changes, the file is sent to the relevant directorate and the steps continue from where they stopped. Notice of the new handover location must be given. It should not be assumed that a change of address removes earlier records of breach or the court judgment itself.
What are the sanctions for not producing the child, and what are the time limits for applications?
Article 41/F of Law No. 5395 on Child Protection (Çocuk Koruma Kanunu) specifically regulates non-compliance with a delivery order issued for personal contact. Where its conditions are met, on a complaint made within one month, disciplinary detention of three days to ten days applies. For a parent entitled to contact who does not return the child to the place designated at the end of the visit, disciplinary detention of up to three months may arise under a separate provision. Non-compliance with a delivery order concerning the handover of a child under custody is also regulated differently from an obstruction of contact. [2]
Is disciplinary detention imposed automatically?
No. The delivery order, service, the nature of the conduct, the complaint and the defence are assessed. The court examines the evidence; not every dispute or every contact that does not take place has the same legal consequence. A valid health excuse must be distinguished from arbitrary obstruction. The application is directed to the family court of the place where the directorate that carried out the act is located. [2]
| Application or step | Time limit | Starting point and point to note |
|---|---|---|
| Complaint about an act or decision of the directorate | One week | From the date of learning or service; Article 41/E of the Child Protection Law. |
| Objection to a decision given on a complaint | Two weeks | From service of the decision; current Article 41/E/3 of the Child Protection Law. |
| Sanction complaint for non-compliance with a delivery order | One month | For a breach under Article 41/F of the Child Protection Law; the act, date of learning and date of the record must be recorded separately. |
| Notice of coming to collect the child | At least 48 hours before | For the period after service of the delivery order; Article 41/C/7 of the Child Protection Law. |
A one-week complaint and a two-week objection are not the same route. The objection period was amended by Law No. 7499; the new rule has been accepted for decisions given from 1 June 2024 onwards. The one-week objection period found in older regulation texts or in old online explanations must not be used in place of the current law. [9]
Article 41/F of the Child Protection Law sets a one-month complaint period, but its starting point is not written in the explicit terms of Article 41/E, which refers to learning or service. The date of the concrete breach and of learning must be assessed separately; in repeated obstructions it must not be assumed that the last event renews the period for all earlier breaches. The period should be calculated and an application made without leaving the calculation to the end.
Complaining about the directorate's act does not by itself suspend its operation; the family court may order a suspension. The principal judgment that established the personal contact arrangement is subject to ordinary remedies, which are separate from this specific complaint about enforcement. The date on which each decision was served should be assessed separately. [2]
Does preventing contact lead to a change of custody?
Under Article 324(3) TMK, where the requirements of the personal contact arrangement are not complied with, custody may be changed provided that this is not contrary to the child's interests. This does not mean that a single failure automatically changes custody. The continuity and causes of the obstruction, its effect on the child and the possible new care arrangement are examined. A change of custody cannot be treated as a means of punishing a parent. [1]
How is the right of contact protected if the child is in another country?
First it is established in which country the child is, what the habitual residence is, what the child's age is and where the existing decision was made. Article 21 of the 1980 Hague Convention provides for an application to central authorities for the organisation or effective exercise of rights of contact. The cooperation of central authorities does not produce a uniform viewing timetable in every country, nor a decision that is enforced automatically. [10]
Where is an application made under the Hague Convention?
In Türkiye, the central authority function is performed by the Directorate General for Foreign Relations and EU Affairs of the Ministry of Justice. According to the Ministry's guide, an application may be sent directly to the Ministry or through the Chief Public Prosecutor's Office where the applicant is located. The possibility of applying to the central authority of the other State is also assessed under the convention. A consulate is not a judicial authority that sets the contact timetable or compels its enforcement in a foreign country. [6] [10]
For the purposes of the 1980 Convention, the child must not have reached the age of 16; the application of the Convention ends when the child reaches 16. Appearing on the list of parties is not sufficient on its own; entry into force between the States concerned, and acceptance of accession where required, are checked. Citizenship and habitual residence must not be confused. [10]
Reaching the age of 16 does not close all routes for contact. Where domestic legal remedies and the conditions for their application exist, the 1996 Hague Convention, which covers children under the age of 18, should also be considered. [7]
| Situation | Primary legal assessment | When preparing the application |
|---|---|---|
| Child in Türkiye; enforceable contact decision exists | Enforcement of the decision through the directorate of judicial support and victim services | Decision, service documents, handover records and notice of arrival |
| Child in Türkiye; no decision or inadequate arrangement | Application to the court for personal contact or variation | Child's interests, distance and a concrete proposed timetable |
| Child in another Contracting State; contact is being prevented | Article 21 of the 1980 Convention, central authority and local application routes | Age, entry into force between States, existing decisions and documents |
| Enforcement in Türkiye of a foreign decision is sought | Applicable convention, recognition and enforcement conditions | Scope and effect of the decision, its translation and the required authentications |
| Child alleged to have been wrongfully removed | Return conditions and separate assessment of personal contact | Habitual residence, rights of custody, date of removal or retention |
The conditions for a return application are examined separately in our article on international child abduction and return of the child.
Which documents should be in the application file?
The Ministry's personal contact form, records showing the legal bond with the child, existing decisions, identity details, the address where the child may be found, and the necessary translations are prepared. The time, place and frequency of the requested face-to-face or online contact are stated. The signature and physical dispatch requirements in the guide and the language requirements of the requested country should be checked before the application is made. [6]
In practice it is useful to distinguish within the file as follows: documents showing your bond with the child establish the right of the claimant; school, work and travel documents establish the workability of the programme; and dated records of breach establish the need for intervention. Rather than grouping documents under one heading, stating which request each supports makes the assessment easier.
Is a foreign court's contact decision directly enforceable?
No single answer applies to every foreign decision. An applicable international convention is examined first. Recognition of measures under the 1996 Hague Convention is regulated in Article 23, and their enforceability or registration in another State in Article 26. Recognition of a decision and its enforcement by force are different matters. The conditions of the convention, the grounds for refusal and the procedure of the State in which enforcement is sought are taken into account. [7]
Where the relevant convention does not apply, the recognition and enforcement provisions of the MÖHUK or the rules of the State where the child is located may be relevant. The existence of a translation or apostille of a foreign decision does not on its own show that all enforcement conditions are met. This question should be assessed together with the article in the series, "Recognition and Enforcement in Türkiye of a Foreign Court's Custody Decision". [5]
For the conditions of recognition and enforcement, see our article on recognition and enforcement of a foreign custody decision.
How are the right of contact and a return claim assessed where the child has been taken abroad?
The return of a child and the establishment of personal contact serve different aims. A return claim, where its conditions are met, seeks the return of the child to the State of habitual residence before the wrongful removal or retention. A personal contact claim seeks the establishment or continuation of contact with the child. A return decision under the 1980 Convention is not a decision that finally resolves the substance of custody. [10]
Is a breach of the right of contact always a ground for return?
No. For return, the breach of the right of custody within the meaning of the Convention and other conditions are examined. The obstruction of the right of contact alone does not automatically satisfy the conditions for return. However, the content of the decision rather than its name must be looked at: elements such as the power to determine where the child will live may affect how the right is characterised under the Convention. Legal writing also stresses that the right of custody and the right of access must be distinguished. [10] [11]
A failure to return from an initially authorised holiday may also give rise to a subsequent argument about wrongful retention. For this reason the date of departure, the agreed return date and the scope of the consent given are important. As regards return, a one-year period is not a general limitation period that removes the right to apply in every case; delay may affect the assessment of the child's settlement in the new environment. [10]
Can contact be requested while a return action is pending or after a return is refused?
A return dispute does not remove the need for contact with the child. Temporary personal contact and requests for secure communication may be separately assessed before the competent authority. The Ministry's guide states that an application for personal contact may be made even after a return request has been refused. The refusal of a return request does not mean that contact will necessarily be refused as well. [6]
When arrangements or agreements are made for contact, it should not be left unclear whether the child's permanent residence in another country has been consented to. The reservation of a return request may be expressly stated; however, it should not be assumed that the wording used guarantees the same result in every country and in every case. Statements in the return and contact files must be assessed together.
The series article "International Child Abduction and Cross-Border Custody Disputes" deals with the details of the return process. The key distinction is between answering the question of which country the child will return to and answering separately how the child's secure contact with the parent will be maintained.
What arrangements can be made for handover, travel and safety?
The court's regulation of personal contact and the handover organisation of the enforcement unit must be consistent. In an international visiting proposal, where the child will stay, with whom the child will travel, the time of handover and return, accessible contact details and concrete safety needs must be explained. The travel permission, passport, visa and the scope of the court judgment are also checked separately. The right of contact may not be used as a substitute for permission to take the child abroad in a manner not provided for in the judgment.
Who bears the cost of plane tickets and contact expenses?
In Türkiye, procedures for enforcing the decision through the directorate are exempt from court fees; the costs of these proceedings are borne by the Ministry's budget, apart from lawyers' fees. This provision does not mean that all the flight, hotel and holiday costs of the parent living abroad will be paid by the public. The organisation of travel and the claim for costs should be addressed within the parties' circumstances and the concrete contact arrangement. [2]
In an international application, translation, proceedings in the foreign country and representation costs may arise separately. Availability of legal aid depends on the conditions of the relevant State. Even where the application channel is free of charge, it must not be assumed that every stage of the file will be free or that all costs will be charged to the other parent. [6] [10]
What happens if the child does not want to see the parent or there is a risk of violence?
The child's views must be taken in a manner appropriate to their age and maturity, and the reason for refusal must be understood through expert assessment. Fear, long-term separation, a negative experience and the effect of conflict between the parents are not the same. The child's will cannot be ignored; but a single sentence from the child is not assessed independently of all the circumstances. [1] [12]
Article 324 TMK allows personal contact to be refused or removed where the child's peace is endangered and in other important cases. In files involving a risk of violence, contact accompanied by an escort, restrictions or removal of contact may arise under Law No. 6284 on the Protection of the Family and Prevention of Violence against Women. Existing confidentiality and protection orders must be taken into account in handover. [1] [2] [13]
A request for contact must not be used as a means of learning the confidential address of the protected parent or of circumventing a removal order. Where there is a concrete danger, the necessary protective application must be made without delay; that the other party lives in another country is not in itself proof of a danger of abduction. Any protective measure proposed must be proportionate to the risk shown.
How is the obstruction of contact documented?
In the application it is useful to set out the events in chronological order. For each contact, the date required by the decision, the notice given, the other party's reply, what actually happened and any record should be recorded separately. It is also important to show that the entitled parent has fulfilled their own obligations of notice and of attendance.
| Document or record | What it helps to show | Point to note |
|---|---|---|
| Court decision and service records | Scope and enforceability of contact | The earlier decision and the latest amendment should be examined together. |
| Directorate and handover records | Notice, attendance and the facts of non-handover | Each breach should be matched with its date and file information. |
| Messages and call records | The request for communication and the claim of obstruction | Context and the original record must be preserved; a single screenshot should not be used to draw a firm conclusion. |
| School, work and travel documents | Workability of the requested timetable | Time zone, flight duration and days of leave should be shown. |
| Health and expert documents | Excuse, safety or care needs | Only the information necessary for the dispute should be submitted. |
Gaining access without permission to another person's account, or creating unlawful records, is not a legitimate method of collecting evidence. Publishing the child's handover moments on social media does not replace preparing the application and damages the child's privacy. Documents should be used only with the competent authority and within the file, rather than shared publicly.
A parent living abroad may carry out representation through an appropriate power of attorney. However, representation by a lawyer does not transfer to the lawyer or to relatives the right of contact which the parent is to exercise personally. The preparation of the power of attorney and the formal requirements for foreign documents must be examined separately according to the country where the act is performed and the applicable conventions.
Conclusion
To protect effectively the right of a mother or father living abroad to contact the child, first the missing arrangement must be identified. Where there is no decision, a contact arrangement suited to the child and to the distance should be established; where a decision is not being enforced, application should be made to the competent enforcement unit; and where the child is in another State, the process must proceed through the convention and the effect of the foreign decision. A return of the child, by contrast, is a separate claim with its own conditions.
An enforceable timetable, documented obstruction and timely application are all important. The aim is not simply to obtain a single visiting day, but to establish a legal arrangement in which the parent can maintain the bond with the child while protecting the child's safety and daily routine. For further information on the scope of custody, see our custody rights guide.
Frequently Asked Questions
Will I lose my right to see my child because I live abroad?
No. Living abroad does not by itself remove the right. The frequency, duration and form of contact are determined by taking into account the child's interests, the distance and workability. Related explanation
Can I take my child with me during the summer holidays?
Holiday and overnight contact may be requested. The child's age, needs, accommodation and travel conditions are assessed. The contact decision and the documents and permissions required for leaving the country must be examined separately. Related explanation
Can I ask the court for an arrangement for video contact?
Yes, a reasoned request may be made. The obstructed communication, the child's need and a workable programme should be explained. It cannot be said that the request will be accepted automatically in every file, or that every unanswered call will lead to a sanction. Related explanation
If my child is not produced despite the decision, should I apply to the enforcement office?
Under the current system, the handover of the child and decisions on personal contact are carried out by the judicial support and victim services directorates. Application is made to the directorate in the child's place of residence; where no directorate exists, to the civil court clerk's office designated for that purpose. Related explanation
Do I need to give 48 hours' notice before coming to Türkiye?
In the period following service of the delivery order on the obliged party, notice must be given to the directorate where you will come to collect the child at least 48 hours in advance. Do not assume that informing the other parent alone serves as this notice. Related explanation
Will the custody of a parent who does not produce the child be taken away immediately?
No. Failure to comply with the contact arrangement may lead to a change of custody, provided it is not contrary to the child's interests. The nature of the breach and the child's future care arrangements are assessed separately. Related explanation
If my child has reached the age of 16, can I make no application at all?
The application of the 1980 Hague Convention ends at age 16. This does not mean that all routes for personal contact have ended; where domestic law and its conditions exist, the 1996 Hague Convention, which covers children under 18, should be considered. Related explanation
If my return request is refused, can I ask to see my child?
Yes. Refusal of a return request is not an automatic refusal of personal contact. A separate request and the necessary documents may be prepared for contact with the child; the assessment of safety and the child's interests continues. Related explanation
Can contact be prevented because maintenance has not been paid?
Maintenance and personal contact are not a substitute for one another. Unpaid maintenance is pursued through its own enforcement routes; this reason alone does not unilaterally remove a contact decision. Related explanation
Will the Ministry of Justice pay for my flights abroad?
Public service costs of enforcing the decision in Türkiye are different from private travel expenses. The Ministry's covering of enforcement costs does not mean that all flight and accommodation expenses will be paid. Related explanation
Sources and legal bases
- Turkish Civil Code No. 4721, in particular Articles 169, 182, 183, 323–327 and 339. Consolidated text in the Legislation Information System.
- Child Protection Law No. 5395, in particular Articles 41/A–41/H. Consolidated text in the Legislation Information System.
- Constitution of the Republic of Türkiye, Articles 20 and 41; for the relevant provisions and their application, the Constitutional Court decision at number 8 below, §§19–27.
- Law No. 4787 on the Establishment, Duties and Trial Procedures of Family Courts, Article 2 and Article 4, published article texts.
- Law No. 5718 on Private International and Procedural Law (Milletlerarası Özel Hukuk ve Usul Hukuku Hakkında Kanun), Articles 1/2, 40 and 50–59. Published full text.
- Republic of Türkiye Ministry of Justice, Directorate General for Foreign Relations and EU Affairs, Guide to Applications for "Return of the Child" and "Establishment of Personal Contact with the Child" under the 1980 Hague Convention (1980 Tarihli Lahey Sözleşmesi Kapsamında Yapılacak “Çocuğun İadesi” ve “Çocukla Kişisel İlişki Kurulması” Başvurularına İlişkin Rehber), Ankara, 2026, in particular sections 2, 3.2 and 6. Guide PDF.
- HCCH, Convention of 19 October 1996 on Jurisdiction, Applicable Law, Recognition, Enforcement and Co-operation in Respect of Parental Responsibility and Measures for the Protection of Children, in particular Articles 2, 5, 7, 11, 23 and 26. Official full text.
- Constitutional Court, Murat Atılgan, Application No. 2013/9047, May 7, 2015, in particular §§43–52; Official Gazette June 25, 2015, no. 29397. Published full decision text — secondary publication.
- Law No. 7499, Article 37(9) and Provisional Article 1; adopted March 2, 2024. TBMM, text of the adopted law.
- HCCH, Convention of 25 October 1980 on the Civil Aspects of International Child Abduction (Uluslararası Çocuk Kaçırmanın Hukuki Veçhelerine Dair Lahey Sözleşmesi), in particular Articles 3–5, 12–13, 19, 21, 26 and 38. Official full text.
- Ebru Akduman, “Protection and Right of Visit under the Hague Convention on the Civil Aspects of International Child Abduction” (“Uluslararası Çocuk Kaçırmanın Hukuki Yönlerine Dair Lahey Sözleşmesi Uyarınca Koruma ve Ziyaret Hakkı”), Public and Private International Law Bulletin, 40(2), 2020, pp. 1373–1402; in particular pp. 1394–1398. DOI: 10.26650/ppil.2020.40.2.0076. Article PDF.
- Regulation on the Enforcement of Judgments and Interim Measures concerning Child Handover and the Establishment of Personal Contact with a Child (Çocuk Teslimi ve Çocukla Kişisel İlişki Kurulmasına İlişkin İlam ve Tedbir Kararlarının Yerine Getirilmesine Dair Yönetmelik), Official Gazette August 4, 2022, no. 31913; in particular the basic principles and the provisions on personal contact. Published regulation text.
- Law No. 6284 on the Protection of the Family and the Prevention of Violence against Women (Ailenin Korunması ve Kadına Karşı Şiddetin Önlenmesine Dair Kanun), in particular Article 5/1(c). Published consolidated text.
- Second Civil Chamber of the Court of Cassation (Yargıtay 2. Hukuk Dairesi), April 8, 2026, E.2026/1120, K.2026/3824. Published full decision text — secondary publication; official decision record.