Guides
Governorship and District Governorate Filming Permits
Quick Answer / Summary
Not every shoot needs governorship or district governorate approval; a municipal permit covers most street filming. Shoots that may affect public order — large crowd scenes, prop weapons, police or military uniforms, explosion effects, or locations near public buildings and security zones — require notifying the local civil administration and coordinating with the police or gendarmerie. The process usually takes 1–3 weeks.
- Which authority?
- Governorship, district governorate, provincial/district police, gendarmerie
- How long?
- Typically 1–3 weeks
- Who is it for?
- Productions with security-sensitive scenes or locations
How does the process work?
- 01
Sensitivity review
Weapons, uniforms, crowds, effects and proximity to security zones in the script are assessed.
- 02
Competent authority
The governorship in provincial centres, the district governorate in districts; gendarmerie in rural areas, police in cities.
- 03
Notification file
Scene description, hours, crew list, prop weapon/effects details and the municipal permit are compiled.
- 04
Police coordination
The local station or gendarmerie is informed for the shoot day; officers are requested if needed.
- 05
Shoot day
Correspondence is kept on set and a permit representative handles any public reports.
Required documents (checklist)
Frequently asked questions
+Does every shoot in Türkiye need governorship approval?
No. Standard street and location shoots only need municipal and property-owner permission. The governorship/district governorate process applies when a shoot may affect public order or security.
+What should we do when using prop weapons or police uniforms?
Notify the police in advance to prevent panic and false reports, keep props out of public view off set, and have the correspondence describing the scope on set.
+Do we apply to the governorship or the district governorate?
Usually the governorship for provincial centres and the district governorate within district boundaries. Practice varies by province, so confirm before applying.
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Related guides
Related service: Municipal Filming Permits