Turkish Law in EnglishTÜRKİYE
Turkish Civil Code (Law No. 4721)

Article 538: 3. Holographic will

Book Three: LAW OF SUCCESSION › Part One: HEIRS › Chapter Two: DISPOSITIONS UPON DEATH › Division Four: FORMS OF DISPOSITIONS UPON DEATH A. Will I. Forms

A holographic will must be written from beginning to end and signed in the handwriting of the deceased, stating the year, month and day on which it was made.

A holographic will may be deposited, open or sealed, for safekeeping with a notary, a judge of the civil court of peace or a competent official.

Original Turkish text

MADDE 538 · 3. El yazılı vasiyetname

El yazılı vasiyetnamenin yapıldığı yıl, ay ve gün gösterilerek başından sonuna kadar mirasbırakanın el yazısıyla yazılmış ve imzalanmış olması zorunludur.

El yazılı vasiyetname, saklanmak üzere açık veya kapalı olarak notere, sulh hâkimine veya yetkili memura bırakılabilir.

Text as of 1 October 2026 · Official source (Turkish): mevzuat.gov.tr ↗

Unofficial translation for information only. The Turkish text published in the Official Gazette is the only authoritative version. This page is not legal advice.