Marriage grant (çeyiz parası) must be applied for after the official marriage ceremony. Applicants can benefit from this support provided they apply within the statute of limitations following the civil marriage. Aimed at ensuring orphaned daughters can marry without debt, this support seeks to prevent financial burdens at the start of marriage and to allow the wedding to proceed smoothly.
Accordingly, receiving an orphan’s pension from a deceased mother or father is a prerequisite when applying for this benefit. The Social Security Institution (SGK) provides a lump-sum payment through this support. If the marriage continues and the person has not applied for the marriage grant within the required timeframe, the right to apply is forfeited due to expiration.
Steps to Apply for the Marriage Grant
The procedure for applying for the marriage grant is as follows:
- The marriage grant is paid after the official marriage certificate is issued. Therefore, the first step is to register the civil marriage. If only a religious marriage took place, the grant cannot be obtained regardless of witness numbers or whether the couple actually live together.
- The applicant must have been receiving orphan’s pension while single. The only reason for the pension to stop should be the marriage.
- Applications for the marriage grant are submitted directly to the Social Security Institution. There is no option to apply online.
- Applicants are required to complete a form during the application. This form registers the marriage and enables SGK to decide on the grant. Applicants must also bring the necessary supporting documents when submitting the form.
What Documents Are Required When Applying?
Documents required for the marriage grant application include:
- The completed application form, titled “Evlilik Ödeneği Talep Dilekçesi” (Marriage Grant Request Petition). This petition is obtained and completed at SGK offices; it is not taken home to be filled out. A sample of the petition is available on the SGK website so applicants can review it beforehand.
- The petition contains a section for the allocation code. In this field, the SGK code corresponding to the orphan’s pension received by the applicant is entered.
- All questions on the petition must be answered accurately. Detailed SGK processing codes such as registry and collection numbers are requested on the form.
- The petition must be signed by the applicant at the end. Unsigned petitions are not accepted.
- Applicants must present their Turkish ID card (T.C. identity document).
- The marriage booklet (nikah cüzdanı) must be presented at the time of application.
When Is the Marriage Grant Paid?
The deadline for claiming the marriage grant is five years. Applicants may request the grant within five years after the civil marriage. Changes such as having a child during this period do not affect eligibility. If the applicant fails to apply within the five-year period that begins on the day of the civil marriage, the right to the grant is lost.
Who Is Eligible for the Marriage Grant?
Eligible applicants include:
- Those whose mother, father, or both parents are deceased.
- Persons whose deceased parent(s) were insured. If the deceased parent was not insured, the grant cannot be received.
- Those who receive orphan’s pension from one or both parents. Any barrier that prevents orphan’s pension eligibility will also prevent the marriage grant.
- Applicants who intend to marry should notify the SGK before the wedding date to speed up the process.
- The bride must not have been convicted of a dishonorable offense.
- Forms must be completed correctly and without errors.
- The grant is available only to women; only female applicants receiving orphan’s pension can receive the marriage grant.
How Much Is the Marriage Grant?
The amount of the marriage grant depends on the orphan’s pension amount received by the applicant. The grant is calculated as a multiple of the orphan’s pension amount. The specific multiple depends on the insurance scheme from which the orphan’s pension was paid.
How Is the Marriage Grant Calculated?
Calculation of the marriage grant is based on taking either 12 or 24 times the last orphan’s pension payment, depending on the insurance category. The last received orphan’s pension amount and the insurance branch affect the calculation.
As noted above, orphaned daughters receiving pension under the 4C insurance branch receive a one-year equivalent payment (12 months), while those receiving pension under 4A or 4B receive a two-year equivalent payment (24 months). Multiply the last pension amount by the relevant factor to determine the lump-sum grant. For example, for an orphan’s pension of 1,500 TL:
- If the pension is from 4C: 1,500 TL x 12 = 18,000 TL marriage grant.
- If the pension is from 4A or 4B: 1,500 TL x 24 = 36,000 TL marriage grant.
Which Institutions Pay the Marriage Grant?
Payments of the marriage grant are made through PTT and Ziraat Bank branches. Recipients can receive the lump sum via their accounts at these institutions or in cash at their counters. The amount cannot be transferred through other bank branches.
If the recipient has an account at one of these institutions, the lump sum is deposited there; otherwise, it can be collected at the bank or post office counter. It is possible to check whether the payment has been deposited using available inquiry tools.
Where Can the Marriage Grant Be Checked?
You can check the status of the marriage grant via:
- The e-Government (e-Devlet) system
- The ALO 170 SGK hotline
- SGK service centers
How to Check the Marriage Grant via e-Government?
To query the marriage grant in the e-Government system, first log in. After logging in, go to the “Services” section and locate Social Security Institution (SGK) services. From there you can access the marriage grant application details without filling in additional forms because the system retains user information. You can see the grant amount, the account it was deposited to, and the deposit date.
How to Check the Marriage Grant by Phone?
To inquire by phone, call the ALO 170 line. Provide the information requested by the operator to access the system. You can obtain details such as the grant amount and the account where it was paid.
Can a Divorced Person Receive the Marriage Grant for a Second Marriage?
The marriage grant is a one-time lump-sum payment and is only paid for the first marriage. A divorced person cannot receive the grant again for a second marriage. There is no age limit for claiming the grant; women of any age who marry for the first time after receiving orphan’s pension can apply within the statutory five-year period.
If a Recipient of the Marriage Grant Divorces, Can She Receive the Orphan’s Pension Again?
A person who received the marriage grant may be eligible to receive orphan’s pension again after divorce. However, because the marriage grant equals up to two years of orphan’s pension, if the marriage lasted less than two years, the applicant cannot immediately resume the orphan’s pension. In any case, at least two years must have passed since the civil marriage ended for entitlement to be re-established based on official rules.
Can Someone Apply on Behalf of Another Person?
Applications on behalf of another person are not permitted. The applicant who is eligible for the marriage grant must submit their own application within the five-year statute of limitations, even if they have children or other dependents.
Which Bank Is the Marriage Grant Paid Through?
The marriage grant is paid through the bank that disburses the orphan’s pension. SGK will deposit the marriage grant into the account at the same bank where the orphan’s pension is received.
Is the Marriage Grant Deducted from the Mother’s Pension?
In some situations, the widow’s pension may be reduced due to the marriage grant. Orphan’s pensions are allocated among surviving spouse and children according to established proportions. If orphan children do not claim their share, the surviving spouse may receive the full remaining pension. In such cases, payments made as marriage grants may be offset against the mother’s pension. If the orphan’s pension is received directly by the daughter and she applies for the marriage grant, no deduction is applied to the mother’s widow’s pension.
Can Men Benefit from the Marriage Grant?
Men are not eligible for the marriage grant. Although male children may be entitled to orphan’s pension up to a certain age, they cannot receive the marriage grant. The grant is reserved for female orphan’s pension recipients who apply at marriage.
What Is the Statute of Limitations for the Marriage Grant?
There is a five-year statute of limitations for claiming the marriage grant. Applications submitted within five years of the civil marriage date are accepted and processed. If the application is filed after this five-year period, the request for the marriage grant will be denied and entitlement will be lost.