Gökçeada District Governor's Office Guide: Services & Contact

Those who live on Gökçeada (Imbros) know: the island is small, but bureaucratic tasks never end. ID renewal, address change, a petition… they all lead to the Governor's Office building. Last month, my neighbor's son came for his military deferment certificate, and I decided to handle a population registry matter while I was there — we finished two tasks in the same building. On the mainland, you'd have to visit two separate districts for that; here, everything is within walking distance.

That two-story building in Fatih Mahallesi is the island's administrative heart. Population registry on the right as you enter, administrative affairs on the left — small place, but things get done. No queues in winter; summer brings a bit of a rush with vacationers' residency and property transactions.

Governor Osman Acar and the 2026 Vision

Osman Acar, born in 1988 in Ankara. He holds a degree in Political Science from Başkent University and a master's in Public Administration. After passing the district governor candidacy exam in 2018, he served in seven different provinces from Kütahya to Hatay. He received commendations for his work during the COVID-19 pandemic management and the February 6, 2023 Kahramanmaraş earthquakes.

He was appointed to Gökçeada by Presidential Decree on May 27, 2025. When I ran into him in the market one morning, he said, "I have 11 projects for the island" — and he wasn't exaggerating. Under the "2026 Year of Gökçeada" vision, he announced projects including the Public Courtesy Academy, Barrier-Free Island Vision, Family Island Sports, and "From Culture to Wisdom" seminars. Time will tell if they all come to fruition, but at least there's a plan and intention.

Governor's Office Units and Services

District Administrative Affairs Directorate

Official correspondence, document tracking, and administrative procedures are handled here. Acting Director: Gülhan Sever Tükenmez. If you need to submit a petition or require an official document, this is your first stop.

District Population Registry Directorate

ID cards, address changes, birth/death registrations are done here. Phone: (0286) 887 20 15. You can go without an appointment, but queues can get long in summer; I recommend booking online at randevu.nvi.gov.tr. Director: Derya Karaca.

Social Assistance and Solidarity Foundation (SYDV)

Provides food, fuel, stationery aid, and scholarships to needy citizens. A crucial support point for families staying on the island in winter. Director: Mazhar Karadağ. To apply, just go to the Governor's Office building and fill out a form.

District Special Administration and KHGB

Rural infrastructure projects, village roads, and services for villages are managed by these units. Special Administration Director: Mehmet Akif Köseoğlu. KHGB Director: Erhan Kurt.

District Protocol List

Gökçeada is a small district, but its protocol is crowded. Military units, judiciary members, health and education administrators — all serve on the island. You'll see them all together at official ceremonies this season; they line up at Cumhuriyet Square on May 19, August 30, and Republic Day.

Administration and Security

• Mayor: Bülent Ecevit Atalay
• Garrison Commander: Infantry Colonel Hüseyin Buruksu
• District Gendarmerie Commander: Gendarmerie Senior Lieutenant Kemal Yavaş
• District Police Chief: Chief Superintendent Serdar Kurt
• Coast Guard-91 Commander: Coast Guard Senior Lieutenant Enes Erata

Judiciary

• Public Prosecutors: Beyza Tunca, Samet Batuhan Aydınlı
• Judges: Türker Çakmak, Furkan Bulut
• Gökçeada Notary: Figen Benek
• Bar Association Representative: Attorney Bülent Yıldırım

Health and Education

• District Health Director: Dr. Taylan Çakır
• State Hospital Chief Physician: Op. Dr. Emre Arıkan
• District National Education Acting Director: Zafer Tepeli
• ÇOMÜ GUBY Director: Asst. Prof. Hande Kandur Arslan

For more health information, check out our Gökçeada Health Guide.

Village and Neighborhood Mukhtars (Headmen)

Gökçeada has 9 villages and 5 central neighborhoods. Each has a mukhtar (headman) who is the eyes and ears of their area. When you have business on the island, sometimes visiting your mukhtar before the Governor's Office is more practical — especially for simple tasks like residency certificates.

Village mukhtars: Bademli – Argir Bahçıvan, Dereköy – İbrahim Güvercin, Eşelek – Mehmet Altıntaş, Kaleköy – Abdulcebbar Akmugan, Şirinköy – Hamdi Özkartal, Tepeköy – Nikola Bakkal, Uğurlu – Hüseyin İmyat, Yeni Bademli – Metin Ertuğrul, Zeytinli – Efstratios Zunı.

Central neighborhood mukhtars: Cumhuriyet – Sefa Atmaca, Çınarlı – Hasan Kara, Fatih – Serdar Ünal, Kuzulimanı – Cemal Çetinsoy, Yeni Mahalle – Mert Arık.

The names of the mukhtars alone reflect the island's multicultural structure — Greek-origin names alongside Turkish ones. We covered this in detail in our Settlement Villages History article.

Digital Services and Online Applications

One of the challenges of living on the island used to be having to cross to the mainland for some tasks. Now most things are digital:

• E-Government (turkiye.gov.tr): Documents, appointments, and applications
• CİMER: Direct application line for complaints and suggestions
• Tender Announcements: Current tenders can be followed at gokceada.gov.tr
• Population Registry Appointment: randevu.nvi.gov.tr

Still, some procedures require an in-person visit. Parking can be tricky, especially in early summer, but the Governor's Office building is centrally located, so it's easy to reach on foot.

If you want to learn more about life on Gökçeada, check out our Gökçeada winter guide to discover the different experiences the island offers outside the season.

Cittaslow and Gökçeada's Difference

Gökçeada holds the title of the world's first and only Slow Island (Cittaslow). This isn't just a label — it influences decisions at the governor's office level. Supporting local production, sustainability projects, and efforts to preserve quality of life are always in the background of administrative decisions. We islanders feel this in daily life: no big shopping malls, no chain restaurants — and most of us are happy about that.

Frequently Asked Questions

How do I reach the Gökçeada District Governor's Office?

Address: Fatih Mahallesi, İnönü Caddesi, Yusuf Özbek Sokak No:42. It's within walking distance from the center, about 10 minutes from the ferry dock.

Do I need an appointment for the population registry?

Not mandatory, but it gets busy especially between June and September. Booking online at randevu.nvi.gov.tr will shorten your wait.

How can I get assistance from SYDV?

Just go to the SYDV office in the Governor's Office building and fill out an application form. Options include food, fuel, stationery aid, and student scholarships.

Is the Governor's Office open on weekends?

No, it only serves weekdays from 08:00 to 17:00. For emergencies, the gendarmerie and police are available 24/7.

Is there a notary on Gökçeada?

Yes, Gökçeada Notary Figen Benek is in service. For simple notary tasks, you can also check our guide to banks and ATMs on Gökçeada to plan your errands more easily.