The form of an application is governed in the Law and kept flexible; but an incomplete application costs time.
The Text
Art. 6 of Law No. 4982: an application is made by a petition containing the applicant's name and surname, signature, and place of residence or business address. An application may also be made electronically or by other means of communication.
| Item | Mandatory? |
|---|---|
| Name and surname | Yes |
| Signature | Yes |
| Place of residence or business address | Yes |
| Electronic application | Possible - Art. 6 |
| The subject of the request | Must be concrete and clear |
How to Write the Request
- Be concrete. Not "information about your institution's activities" but "the number of X issued in 2025 and their monthly distribution".
- State whether you want a document or information.
- Give a period. A date range makes the request processable.
- Specify a format. A spreadsheet, a list or a copy of a document.
- Try to keep one subject per application; requests touching different units lengthen the period.
The Periods
| Stage | Period |
|---|---|
| The body's response - the general rule | Fifteen working days |
| Where another unit or another body's opinion is needed | Thirty working days |
| Objection to the Board against a refusal | Fifteen days |
| The Board's decision period | Thirty working days |
We cover this in the response times guide and the refused request guide.
Who May Apply?
The Law grants the right to information to everyone. Being a journalist or holding a press card is not a condition of applying; the card is an identity document, not the source of the right to information.
To Whom Do You Apply?
The Law applies to public institutions and organisations and to professional organisations having the character of public institutions. So the list of addressees is not limited to ministries and municipalities; chambers, exchanges and bar associations are within the scope.
If You Are Refused
If your request is refused there are two routes: an objection to the Board for the Review of Access to Information, and the judicial route. Under Art. 14 the Board consists of nine members serving four-year terms; among them are one member each from the Court of Cassation and the Council of State, professors of law, a representative of the Union of Turkish Bar Associations and a representative of the Ministry of Justice.
Keep Records
- Record the date of the application and any application number.
- Take a screenshot or confirmation printout of an electronic application.
- Record the date of the response - a missed deadline can ground an objection.
- Note the reason for a refusal and the article it rests on.
- The objection period is fifteen days; put it in the calendar.
Summary
- An application is made by a petition containing name, surname, signature and place of residence or business address, and may also be made electronically.
- Writing the request concretely, with a period and a single subject, helps both processability and timing.
- The response period is fifteen working days as a rule.