How do I apply for and activate a Turkish e-signature?
The full path from ordering a qualified electronic certificate to installing the reader and testing your first signature.
Short answer
Apply for an individual qualified electronic certificate (NES) on the website of a provider authorised by the BTK, verify your identity through e-Devlet or in person, and pay the fee. When the USB token or smart card arrives, plug it in, install the provider's signing software, set your PIN, then sign a test PDF to confirm everything works.
What you need
Step by step
Pick an authorised provider
Choose an active provider from the "Electronic Certificate Service Providers" list on the BTK website. A certificate bought outside that list has no legal standing as a substitute for a handwritten signature. Compare the validity periods and hardware options on each provider's "Individual Qualified Electronic Certificate" product page.
Fill in the online application form
Open the "Individual Application" or "Apply Now" step on the provider's site and enter your national ID number, full name, date of birth, address, mobile number and email. The details must match civil registry records exactly, otherwise the application is rejected. At the end of the form your application number appears on screen and arrives by email.
Verify your identity
Providers usually offer two routes: online approval through the e-Devlet Gateway "Identity Verification" step, or handing a wet-signed printout of the form to a notary or an authorised representative in person. On the online route you are redirected to giris.turkiye.gov.tr, where you log in with your e-Devlet password or ID card and grant permission.
Complete the payment
Use the "Payment" step in the application panel to pay the certificate fee by credit card, debit card or bank transfer. If you transfer money, write your application number in the description field, or matching will be delayed. Once payment clears, certificate production starts and shipping details are emailed to you.
Install the hardware and software
Plug the delivered USB token or card reader into your computer. From the provider's "Support" or "Download Software" page, download and install the smart card driver and signing application for your operating system. Restart the computer afterwards; if the application does not detect the token, unplug and reconnect the USB device.
Activate the certificate and set a PIN
Open the "Certificate Activation" or "Card Management" section on the provider's activation page or in the desktop card management tool. Enter the initial PIN/PUK that came in the package or by SMS, then choose your own PIN. Store the PUK code separately and securely, because repeated wrong PIN entries can only be unlocked with the PUK.
Test your first signature
Open a PDF or Word file in the signing application, click "Sign", enter your PIN and save the signed file. Reopen the file in the same application's "Verify Signature" section to confirm the signature shows as valid. Then try the "Log in with Electronic Signature" option on the system you plan to use, such as e-Devlet or UYAP.
Sort out browser and system compatibility
Some institutional sites require a Java-based plugin or the provider's signing agent. Follow the prompts on that site's "Log in with e-signature" screen, install the requested agent and approve the permission dialog your browser opens. If the problem persists, try a different browser or ask the provider's call centre for remote support.
Tips
Watch out
If you forget your PIN and also lose the PUK code, the card locks permanently and you usually have to buy a new certificate. Never share your PIN or PUK: anything signed with your e-signature counts legally as your handwritten signature. If the token is lost, ask the provider to revoke or suspend the certificate immediately.
Frequently asked questions
+Are an e-signature and a mobile signature the same thing?
Both are qualified electronic signatures, but an e-signature runs on a USB token or smart card while a mobile signature uses a special SIM from your operator. They carry equal legal weight, so check which one your target system supports.
+Can someone else apply on my behalf?
You have to complete the identity verification step yourself. Representation via a notarised power of attorney may be possible for document delivery, but conditions vary, so ask your provider before applying.
+Can I use one e-signature for e-Devlet, UYAP and registered email?
Yes, a qualified electronic certificate is valid across all of them. Each system may require a different signing agent or plugin on its own login screen, which you install separately.
+I use macOS or Linux. Will an e-signature work?
Most providers ship drivers and signing software for macOS and Linux, but some institutional portals only work smoothly on Windows. Check the provider's support page compatibility list before you buy.
+I kept entering the wrong PIN. What now?
The card locks. Open the "PIN Reset" section of the provider's card management tool and enter your PUK code to unlock it. If you do not have the PUK, call the support line, as the fix depends on the card type.
Sources and verification
Last verified: 12 Eylül 2026. tell us. Adapted from a Turkish guide; provider names, the BTK list and e-Devlet steps are specific to Turkey.
This content is for information only; for official procedures the relevant institution’s current announcements take precedence. Details: disclaimer.