What is UYAP document verification for, and how is it done?

When you receive a document said to come from a court, an enforcement office or another judicial unit, you may wonder whether it was really created in UYAP. The document verification function in the UYAP Citizen Portal is an official way of checking this.

Summary: Document verification is used to check whether a document printed from the UYAP IT System matches the record in the system. It should be done only through official UYAP addresses, using the verification details at the bottom of the document. Verification shows that the document is consistent with the system record; it does not show that a decision has become final, that it has been served, or which time limit is running.

What is document verification for?

According to UYAP’s official services page, citizens can confirm the authenticity of a physical document printed from the UYAP IT System by using the document verification function. The Ministry of Justice’s frequently asked questions document describes the same service as testing the authenticity of documents in one’s possession with the “Evrak Doğrulama Sistemi” (Document Verification System).

The Citizen Portal introduction page explains the purpose of this function as confirming whether a document sent to the person was sent by judicial units. In other words, the question is: “Was this document really created in the system of a judicial unit?”

Where on the document are the details needed for verification?

Documents created through UYAP usually carry verification details at the bottom. For example, the footer of an official letter published by the Ministry of Justice contains the statement “Bu belge, güvenli elektronik imza ile imzalanmıştır” (This document has been signed with a secure electronic signature), a document verification address, and a line showing with which code the document can be accessed at vatandas.uyap.gov.tr.

The fields requested on the verification screen are filled in with these details from the document. Since the layout of the screen and the field names may change over time, which information is requested on the current screen should be checked on the portal. The code must be entered in full, exactly as written on the document.

How is document verification done?

1. Use the official address. Carry out the check only through vatandas.uyap.gov.tr or the official UYAP verification address written on the document. Type the address yourself instead of clicking shortened links sent with the document or a link in a message.
2. Open the document verification section. In the Citizen Portal, document verification is offered as a separate menu.
3. Enter the details from the document. Enter the code at the bottom of the document and the other information requested on the screen exactly as written on the document.
4. Compare the result with the document. If the system displays a document, compare it with the content, date, unit and file number of the printout in your hands. Even if the code is correct, a difference in content matters.

If a document cannot be verified, this alone may not mean that the document is forged; a mistyped code, a document created outside UYAP or a technical problem may also affect the result. In that case it is sounder to contact the unit that issued the document directly.

What does verification not show?

Document verification is a technical check. It does not by itself show:

• That a decision has become final. A verified copy of a decision gives no information on whether the decision has become final or whether an appeal has been lodged.
• The date of service. The date the document was created in the system and the date it was served on you may differ. On service, see the note on UETS electronic service.
• The legal consequence of the document. A document being genuine does not by itself explain what the step it contains means for you or which time limit is running.
• The current status of the file. New steps may have been taken in the file after the date the document was issued. For current activity, the file’s safahat records are checked separately.

What can be done if you are suspicious of a document or message?

If the document or message contains a payment request, an urgent-action warning or a link you do not recognise, the first step is to stop. According to UYAP’s official introduction, the telephone and fax details of judicial units can be reached through the Citizen Portal; the court or enforcement office said to have sent the document can be contacted using this official information.

The support contact details published by UYAP are the telephone number 444 8927 and the address vatandas@adalet.gov.tr. An e-Devlet password, electronic signature PIN or one-time code should not be added to a support request. For situations where a file does not appear after signing in to the portal, see the note What should you check if a case file does not appear in UYAP?; for general use of the portal, see the note on checking case information in the UYAP Citizen Portal.

This note is intended for general use of the system and does not contain legal advice specific to any person.