Certificate from the Mukhtar in Northern Cyprus: why it is needed, where to obtain it, and which documents to prepare

Muhtar Certificate (Muhtar Belgesi) is a confirmation of your place of residence in Northern Cyprus. It is often requested when applying for a residence permit, opening a local bank account, and in other everyday situations. Below — who a muhtar is, where to find one, what documents are needed, and how much it may cost.

• Who a muhtar is and why the certificate is needed
• Where to find the muhtar of your district
• What documents are required
• How much the certificate costs and important details

Who a muhtar is and why the certificate is needed

When applying for a residence permit in Northern Cyprus or opening a local bank account, it is necessary to obtain a certificate of residence. Essentially, this is similar to our registration of residence. You can obtain this certificate at the relevant municipality where you live, from the local headman, or, as he is called here — muhtar. Each district has its own muhtar.

Practical note: most often, the certificate confirms that you actually reside at the stated address (usually based on a rental agreement or property documents) and pertains to a specific district/neighborhood (mahalla).

Where to find the muhtar of your district

The list of muhtars for all territories is available on the website of the Ministry of Interior of the Republic.

Note: the information on the website is not updated as frequently as one would like and may not always be current.

What to do if you can't find it on the list: check with your municipality (belediye), concierge/property management company, neighbors, or landlord — they usually know which muhtar your address belongs to and where the office is located.

What documents are required

To obtain a muhtar certificate, you will need:

• passport
• rental agreement for the property or a document confirming ownership of real estate: sales contract or property ownership document

Important: the rental agreement or sales contract must be registered with the TRNC tax office.

Useful to prepare in advance: the address in the exact wording (as in the contract), as well as a contact phone number for clarification. Sometimes copies of documents may be requested — it is best to have printed copies or scans on your phone.

How much the certificate costs and important details

It should be noted that recently some muhtars charge a nominal fee for issuing the certificate. Usually, it is around 100 lira, although the price may vary depending on the area of residence.

Practical tip: bring cash — not everywhere accepts payment via transfer or card. Also, check office hours: some muhtars do not work every day or have reduced schedules.