How to Check the Turkish Trade Registry Gazette

The Turkish Trade Registry Gazette (Türkiye Ticaret Sicili Gazetesi) is the official publication where all legally mandated corporate announcements are recorded. It is operated by the Union of Chambers and Commodity Exchanges of Turkey (TOBB), a statutory professional organization.

This guide explains how international buyers can use the Gazette to support their company verification process.

What is the Trade Registry Gazette?

When a company in Türkiye is incorporated, changes its address, appoints a new director, alters its shareholding structure, or enters liquidation, the action is officially registered with the local Trade Registry Office. Following registration, the announcement is published in the Trade Registry Gazette.

The Gazette serves as the definitive legal public record of corporate structural events.

What You Can Find in the Gazette

By searching the Gazette, you may uncover announcements regarding:

• Establishment: The date the company was legally formed.
• Address Changes: Historical locations of the company headquarters.
• Board of Directors: Appointments, dismissals, and signature authorities.
• Capital Increases: Changes to the company’s registered capital.
• Liquidation/Bankruptcy: Official notices if the company is closing down.

How to Check the Gazette

The official portal for the Gazette is ticaretsicil.gov.tr.

1. Basic Index Search

Anyone can perform a free search of the Gazette’s index without logging in. By entering the company’s title or Trade Registry Number (Ticaret Sicil Numarası) and the province, you can see a list of dates when announcements were published.

2. Viewing Official Documents

While the index search is public, viewing or downloading the actual PDF pages of the announcements requires creating a user account. Registration is currently free and open to the public, though the interface is entirely in Turkish.

Limitations of the Trade Registry Gazette

Do not rely on a single registry publication to guarantee a safe transaction.

• Historical Snapshot: An announcement in the Gazette only reflects the status of the company on the day the announcement was published. A director appointed in 2021 might have been quietly dismissed in 2023 if the new paperwork has not yet been processed or discovered.
• No Financial Health Data: The Gazette does not publish tax debts, credit ratings, or day-to-day commercial disputes.
• Not a Fraud Shield: Fraudulent actors can and do register legal companies and publish initial establishment notices.

How to Cross-Check Information

To perform effective due diligence, you must cross-check the Gazette against other sources:

1. Compare with MERSİS: Ensure the current active status on the MERSİS portal (mersis.ticaret.gov.tr) aligns with the latest Gazette announcements.
2. Compare with Supplier Documents: Ask the supplier for their most recent Signature Circular (İmza Sirküleri). The names and signature authorities listed there must match the appointments published in the Gazette.

If you are unable to navigate the Turkish interface or need to guarantee the current active status of a board member, engaging a local Turkish commercial lawyer is recommended.