Skip to main content
Title & Cadastre

Cadastre (Kadastro)

State-run determination and registration of all properties' boundaries, areas, use types and ownership status. Governed by Cadastre Law 3402.

Cadastre (Turkish: *Kadastro*) is the state-run determination and registration of all properties' boundaries, areas, use types and legal status. Purpose: establishing precise boundaries, clarifying ownership, and producing the foundation for the land registry. In Turkey, cadastre activities are conducted under Cadastre Law 3402 (1987) and related regulations.

Cadastre team (Law 3402 art. 3): At least two cadastre technicians, the neighbourhood or village headman and three expert witnesses. For forest boundary work, at least one forestry engineer and one agricultural engineer are added. The work area is announced in the Official Gazette, radio/TV and local press at least 1 month in advance.

Determination methods: (1) Ownership documents — title records, sale contracts, transfer deeds; (2) Tax records — those drawn up on or before 31 December 1981 count as proof of possession (Law 3402 art. 14/3); (3) Possession (zilyetlik) — at least 20 years of uninterrupted, uncontested use as owner; (4) Expert and witness testimony.

Key concepts: Cadastral parcel — originally determined parcel based on historical/topographic boundaries. Zoning parcel — parcel created via zoning implementation under Law 3194 art. 18. 22/a renewal — renewal to correct technical errors; does not resolve ownership disputes. Outside-determination area — area excluded from the cadastre work.

Cadastre court (Law 3402 arts. 10-12): Actions against cadastre determinations are filed only in the Cadastre Court; the right of action arises only after objection during the 30-day posting period. Once the posting passes, a 10-year forfeiture period applies (Law 3402 art. 12/3) — the Constitutional Court has confirmed this period is consistent with public interest and the rule of law.

Examples

  • 1.A villager who had uncontestedly used a field for 40 years obtained title through the cadastre process using proof of possession plus tax records (Law 3402 art. 14).
  • 2.An heir who challenged a title 10+ years after cadastre — the case was dismissed in the Cadastre Court due to the 10-year forfeiture period.
  • 3.A 22/a renewal corrected boundary errors in a legacy cadastre; a 2 m discrepancy between neighbouring parcels was rectified by field survey, and areas were updated (ownership unchanged).

Frequently Asked Questions

What's the difference between cadastre and the land registry?expand_more
**Cadastre** is the activity that determines the **physical and legal status** of properties — answering 'is this boundary mine, what's the area'. The **land registry** is the **registration** of cadastre determinations — 'who owns it, who's the buyer, is there a mortgage'. No land registry is possible without cadastre; cadastre is the foundation of Turkish title law. Both are run by different TKGM-affiliated offices.
How do I object to a cadastre determination?expand_more
The determination record is **posted for 30 days**. During this period a written **objection to the cadastre office** is possible and is reviewed. If rejected, an action in the **Cadastre Court** can be filed. After posting passes, any action must still be within the **10-year forfeiture period**; after that the record is final (Law 3402 art. 12/3).
Is there a cadastre fee?expand_more
In 3402/22-a renewal, **no fee is levied** — the cost is borne by the state. However, subsequent individual operations (inheritance transfer, subdivision, type change) are subject to normal fees. The original cadastre (initial determination) also does not charge citizens.
What is '2/B land'?expand_more
**2/B lands** are areas that lost forest status under art. 2/B of the Forest Law 6831. Under supplementary art. 4 of Law 3402, **use cadastre** is conducted on 2/B areas and occupants can, under certain conditions, purchase them. TKGM Circular 2012/5 regulates the process. 2/B cadastre work is still ongoing.

Related Terms

Block / Parcel (Ada / Parsel)TKGM (General Directorate of Land Registry and Cadastre)Title RegistrationPossession

Sources

  • • Cadastre Law 3402 (21.06.1987)
  • • TKGM Cadastre Legislation 2020 (tkgm.gov.tr)
  • • Forest Law 6831 art. 2/B

Try the FAR/GCR calculator

Calculate total floor area, storey count and estimated unit count in seconds from parcel m² and zoning values.

Go to Calculatorarrow_forward

Last updated: 2026-04-24