What is MERSIS Number? Complete Guide to Turkey's Central Registration System
How MERSIS works, why every Turkish company needs it, and how to use it for company registration
In This Guide
What is MERSIS?
MERSIS (Merkezi Sicil Kayit Sistemi) stands for the Central Registration Record System. It is Turkey's official online platform managed by the Ministry of Trade for registering and managing commercial entities.
Think of MERSIS as Turkey's digital business registry. Before MERSIS was introduced, company registration required physical paperwork submitted to local trade registry offices. Since its nationwide rollout, all company formations, amendments, and closures must be processed through the MERSIS system first.
Official MERSIS Portal
The MERSIS system is accessible at mersis.gtb.gov.tr. The interface is available in Turkish only, which is why most foreign investors work with a local CPA or lawyer who handles the MERSIS application on their behalf.
What is a MERSIS Number?
A MERSIS number is a unique 16-digit identification code assigned to every commercial entity registered in Turkey. It serves as the primary digital identifier for your company across all government systems.
What the MERSIS Number Looks Like
A MERSIS number is a 16-digit numeric code. For example: 0123456789012345. It is different from your Tax Identification Number and Trade Registry Number, though all three are assigned during the registration process.
Where You Will Need Your MERSIS Number
- Trade Registry filings and amendments
- Tax office correspondence
- SGK (Social Security) registrations
- Bank account opening applications
- Government tenders and public procurement
- Chamber of Commerce membership
- E-Invoice and E-Ledger applications
- Official company searches and verifications
Why is MERSIS Important?
MERSIS serves several critical functions in Turkey's commercial ecosystem:
Centralized Data
All company information (shareholders, managers, capital, address, activities) is stored in one central database accessible to all government agencies.
Faster Processing
Before MERSIS, registering a company required visiting multiple offices. Now, the initial registration application is submitted digitally, reducing processing time significantly.
Transparency
Anyone can search for a company on MERSIS to verify its registration status, authorized representatives, and basic company information. This promotes trust in business transactions.
Regulatory Compliance
Government agencies use MERSIS data for regulatory oversight. Tax offices, SGK, and other authorities cross-reference MERSIS records to verify company information.
How to Use the MERSIS System
The MERSIS system can be accessed for different purposes. Here is what you can do on the platform:
For Company Registration (Requires Login)
-
Create a MERSIS Account
You need a Turkish e-Government (e-Devlet) login or a registered professional (CPA, lawyer) to access the registration modules. Foreign individuals cannot directly create a MERSIS account without a Turkish ID. -
Prepare Articles of Association
The system provides templates for different entity types (LLC, JSC, etc.). Your CPA fills in the required fields: company name, purpose, capital, shareholders, and management structure. -
Submit Application
Once the Articles of Association are complete, the application is submitted through MERSIS to the relevant Trade Registry Office. A unique application number is generated. -
Trade Registry Processes the Application
The Trade Registry Office reviews the MERSIS application, verifies all documents, and either approves or requests corrections. Upon approval, the company is officially registered and receives its MERSIS number.
For Company Search (No Login Required)
You can search for any registered company on the MERSIS portal without logging in. The public search function allows you to:
- Search by company name or MERSIS number
- View basic registration information
- Verify whether a company is actively registered
- Check authorized signatories
Registering a Company Through MERSIS
The MERSIS registration is the first official step in forming a company in Turkey. Here is the process in detail:
| Step | Action | Who Does It | Duration |
|---|---|---|---|
| 1 | Name reservation (optional but recommended) | CPA / Lawyer | Instant |
| 2 | Draft Articles of Association on MERSIS | CPA / Lawyer | 1 day |
| 3 | Submit MERSIS application | CPA / Lawyer | Instant |
| 4 | Gather notarized documents | Shareholder / PoA holder | 1-2 days |
| 5 | Submit physical documents to Trade Registry | CPA / Lawyer | 1 day |
| 6 | Trade Registry review and approval | Government | 2-5 days |
| 7 | MERSIS number and Trade Registry number assigned | Automatic | Same day as approval |
Name Reservation Tip
While not mandatory, reserving your company name on MERSIS before starting the registration process is strongly recommended. Name reservations are held for a limited period and prevent another company from registering the same or a confusingly similar name during your application process.
How to Check a Company's MERSIS Number
There are several ways to find or verify a company's MERSIS number:
Method 1: MERSIS Portal
Visit mersis.gtb.gov.tr and use the public company search function. Enter the company name or tax number to find its MERSIS record.
Method 2: Trade Registry Gazette
The Trade Registry Gazette (ticaretsicil.gov.tr) records all company registrations. Search by company name to find the registration notice, which includes the MERSIS number.
Method 3: E-Government Portal (e-Devlet)
If you are a registered company representative, you can view your company's MERSIS number through the e-Government portal (turkiye.gov.tr) under the Ministry of Trade services.
Method 4: Contact the Trade Registry Office
You can request a company's MERSIS number directly from the Trade Registry Office where the company is registered.
MERSIS Number vs Tax ID Number
These two numbers are frequently confused. Here is the difference:
MERSIS Number
- 16 digits
- Assigned by the Trade Registry
- Used for commercial registry purposes
- Required for Trade Registry filings
- Managed by Ministry of Trade
Tax ID Number (VKN)
- 10 digits
- Assigned by the Tax Office
- Used for all tax-related matters
- Required for invoicing, tax returns
- Managed by Revenue Administration
Both numbers are assigned during the company formation process, typically within the same week. Your CPA will provide you with both numbers once registration is complete.
Common Issues and Solutions
Issue: Company name rejected on MERSIS
Solution: MERSIS checks for conflicts with existing company names. If your preferred name is rejected, you need to choose an alternative. Adding a distinguishing word (such as your sector or city) often resolves the conflict. Your CPA can check name availability before submitting the formal application.
Issue: Foreign shareholder information not accepted
Solution: MERSIS requires a Turkish tax ID for each shareholder. Foreign individuals need to obtain a Potential Tax ID (Potansiyel Vergi Numarasi) before their information can be entered into the system. Your CPA can obtain this from the tax office.
Issue: MERSIS application stuck in review
Solution: If the Trade Registry has not processed your application within 5 business days, your CPA should follow up directly with the Trade Registry Office. Delays are usually caused by missing or incorrectly formatted documents.
Issue: Cannot access MERSIS as a foreign user
Solution: The MERSIS registration module requires a Turkish e-Government login, which is only available to Turkish ID holders. Foreign investors must work through an authorized representative (CPA or lawyer) who has MERSIS system access.
Frequently Asked Questions
What does MERSIS stand for?
MERSIS stands for Merkezi Sicil Kayit Sistemi, which translates to Central Registration Record System. It is Turkey's unified digital platform for commercial entity registration, managed by the Ministry of Trade.
Is the MERSIS number the same as the Trade Registry number?
No. The MERSIS number is a 16-digit code assigned by the central system. The Trade Registry Number is a separate number assigned by the local Trade Registry Office. Companies have both numbers, and each serves different administrative purposes.
Can I register a company on MERSIS myself if I am a foreigner?
The MERSIS registration module requires a Turkish e-Government (e-Devlet) login, which requires a Turkish ID number. Foreign investors need to work with a licensed CPA or lawyer in Turkey who can access the system on their behalf.
How long is a MERSIS number valid?
A MERSIS number is permanent. It is assigned when the company is registered and remains valid for the entire lifetime of the company. It does not expire or need renewal.
Can I check if a Turkish company is legitimate using the MERSIS number?
Yes. You can verify any Turkish company's registration status on the MERSIS portal (mersis.gtb.gov.tr) or the Trade Registry Gazette (ticaretsicil.gov.tr). A valid MERSIS number confirms that the company is officially registered with the Ministry of Trade.
Need Help with MERSIS Registration?
Our team handles the entire MERSIS application process for foreign investors. From name reservation to Trade Registry approval, we manage every technical step.