To change your bank via the e-Government (e-Devlet) portal, you must log in using your Turkish ID number (T.C. Kimlik No) and your e-Government password. After logging in you can update your bank and address information. If you do not remember your e-Government password or have not yet obtained one, visit the nearest PTT branch to request a new password; the PTT will provide it in a sealed envelope.
Do not share your password with anyone, including PTT staff. When you get home, choose a secure new password. If you previously had a password but cannot recall it, use the “forgot password” option online to obtain a new one. Alternatively, you can visit SGK (Social Security Institution) in person to make the changes you need.
Change Address via E-Government
To change your address through the e-Government portal, you can log in using a mobile signature (mobil imza). To use mobile signature, the service must be activated for your phone; activation is done via your mobile operator by applying at their service centers.
After logging in with mobile signature, click the “e-services” (e-hizmetler) section on the main screen. Then select “Change Residence Address” (İkamet Adresi Değiştirme). You will be prompted to enter your new residence details: street, avenue, building number, city and similar fields. After completing these fields, click “Confirm” (Onayla). This completes the e-Government address change process.
How to Obtain a Mobile Signature for E-Government Address Change
Requesting a mobile signature is done through mobile operators’ application centers. After your application, an activation is sent to your phone and the mobile signature details are associated with that activation. Mobile signature is a paid service billed monthly. If the mobile signature is not installed on your phone, you cannot complete the address change through e-Government.
Required Documents for Residence Address Change
Documents needed to change your residence address include the following:
- If the declared dwelling is empty and this has already been registered with the Population Directorate (Nüfus Müdürlüğü) before applying, no additional documents are required. The system recognizes the dwelling as empty when the registered resident updates their address to another location. In such cases you can complete the address notification via the e-Government system. If the dwelling is occupied, you must visit the Population Directorate offices.
- If the declared address is occupied, you must take a recent utility bill such as phone, gas, or electricity to the Population Directorate. Subscription contracts are also accepted for these applications.
- When people will be living together, the address cannot be updated solely through e-Government. If the new address appears occupied in the system, applicants must go to the Population Directorate. Addresses that are listed as occupied will require in-person documentation.
- Applicants who will live together must apply to the Population Directorate together with the head of the household already registered at that address. Additionally, applicants should obtain a document from the local muhtar (neighborhood head) confirming residence together with the person registered at the address.
Is Reporting an Address Change Mandatory?
Reporting an address change is mandatory. Under Law No. 5490 on Population Services, individuals must report their address change within a maximum of 20 working days. Failure to report on time results in an administrative fine of 71 TL. The 20-day period refers to business days and excludes weekends and public holidays.
False Address Notifications via E-Government
Submitting a false address via the e-Government system carries a fine of 1,469 TL. People who submit fraudulent residence notifications—for example to enroll children in different schools—are subject to this penalty.
Older references listed the penalty as 963 TL, but an updated amount increased the fine to 1,463 TL as of January 2019. If a false notification was made before that date but detected later, the payable amount is the post-update figure of 1,463 TL.
Late Notification Penalty for Residence Address on E-Government
If the address notification is filed late, the late filing fee is 50 TL. The legal notification period is 20 business days; exceeding this period results in the 50 TL penalty.
Obtaining a Residence Certificate from E-Government
To obtain a residence certificate (ikametgah) from e-Government, use your registered place-of-residence information. For an official residence certificate to be accepted by public institutions, you must first update your residence information on the e-Government portal. After completing the residence update, print the certificate and present it to official institutions as needed.
The steps to obtain an official residence printout from e-Government are:
- Open the e-Government website and log in with your T.C. identification number and e-Government password (the password is obtained from PTT branches and should be changed after initial receipt).
- After logging in, select “e-Services” from the main menu.
- Go to “Personal Information” (Kişisel Bilgiler) within e-Services.
- Select “General Directorate of Population and Citizenship Affairs” (Nüfus ve Vatandaşlık İşleri Genel Müdürlüğü), since residence certificates are issued under Population Directorate services.
- Click “Query Place of Residence and Other Address Information” (Yerleşim Yeri ve Diğer Adres Bilgileri Sorgulama) to view a barcode-enabled preview of your residence certificate.
- When printing, choose the “Print with barcode” option if the document will be used by official institutions; the barcode ensures the certificate’s authenticity.
Where Is the E-Government Residence Certificate Used?
Places and purposes where the e-Government residence certificate is used include:
- Education: the residence certificate is used for school placement decisions, ensuring children attend nearby schools.
- Employment: employers and social security procedures may require an official residence certificate for employment and insurance registration.
- Major household purchases: vendors delivering large items often require a residence certificate to ensure correct delivery address and handling in case of legal claims. If residence is not verified via e-Government, delivery or registration of items like major appliances may be refused.
Residence documents required for insurance procedures should be obtained after completing an e-Government address change. The residence certificate is also used for appeals, loan repayments, opening bank accounts and other administrative processes.
How to Change Banks by Visiting SGK
Pensioners, widows and orphans who wish to change their bank or bank branch for pension payments can submit a written request to SGK provincial or central directorates. In the petition they should request transfer of their pension payment to one of the contracted banks. SGK will process the bank change accordingly.
How to Change Banks Online
To change banks online, log in to the e-Government portal with your T.C. ID and password. Search for “bank and address change” and select the first result. The form will display your name, surname, bank, branch and address details. Verify these details, then click the highlighted “click to change your bank branch information” section. On the next screen select the new city, bank name and branch, then press “update” to confirm the change.
Banks That Process Pension Payments
For receiving pension payments, you may choose among the SGK-contracted banks, including:
- Türkiye Halk Bankası A.Ş.
- Akbank
- Denizbank A.Ş.
- Türkiye İş Bankası A.Ş.
- Türkiye Vakıflar Bankası T.A.O.
- Odea Bank A.Ş.
- Yapı ve Kredi Bankası A.Ş.
- Türkiye Garanti Bankası A.Ş.
- Burgan Bank A.Ş.
- Türkiye Finans Katılım Bankası A.Ş.
When Can’t You Change Your Bank on E-Government?
You cannot change your bank via e-Government if you have outstanding credit or card debt with your current bank. If a credit card or additional account linked to the bank shows a debt, online bank change is blocked until the debt is cleared. Once the debt has been paid, you may apply to change your bank.
How to Transfer Bank by Fund Type
If you receive a 4A (SSK) pension, follow these steps online:
- Enter 4A services,
- Select 4A bank and address change to make the update.
If you receive a 4B (Bağ-Kur) pension, follow:
- Enter 4B services,
- Select 4B bank and address change.
If you receive a 4C (civil servant pension fund) pension, follow:
- Enter 4C services,
- Choose the 4C bank change option to complete the transfer.
Can a Person with Debt Change Banks?
No. Individuals who have visible debt cannot change their bank until the debt is cleared.
Can I Apply in Person for a Bank Change?
Yes. You can apply online via e-Government or visit SGK offices in person to request a bank change.
Is There a Fee to Change Banks?
No. Changing your bank is free of charge, whether you apply online or in person.
Can I Choose Any Bank?
No. You may only choose from the limited list of banks contracted with SGK; you cannot select banks outside that list.
Can Bank Change Be Done Online Outside E-Government?
No. Online bank changes must be made through the e-Government portal. To log in to e-Government you need your T.C. identity number and e-Government password. If you lack the correct credentials, visit your nearest PTT branch to obtain a new e-Government password; a small fee (usually 2 TL) is charged for issuing the password.