Most U.S. documents going to Israel are for aliyah. Israel’s Ministry of Interior requires the civil documents in an aliyah file to be apostilled, and for American applicants that means the birth certificate, marriage and divorce records, and the FBI background check.
The birth certificate must be the long form, showing both parents. The FBI check is federal, so it takes a federal apostille from the U.S. Department of State. Israel has accepted apostilles since 1978.
At a glance
Why U.S. documents go to Israel
| Purpose | Documents usually apostilled |
|---|---|
| Aliyah | Long-form birth certificate, marriage and divorce records, FBI check |
| Marriage registration | Marriage certificate, divorce decree |
| Property and inheritance | Power of attorney, death certificate |
Translation
English documents are usually accepted for aliyah. Where Hebrew is needed, the translation is commonly notarized by an Israeli notary. Translate after the apostille, so it is translated too. See translation requirements.
Things worth knowing
- Long-form birth certificates only, with both parents’ names.
- The FBI check takes a federal apostille, never a state one. See FBI background check.
- State or federal? A document issued by a state or county, or notarized, is apostilled by that state. One issued by a federal agency, such as an FBI check, by the U.S. Department of State.
How it works
Step 1
Tell us the documents
And what they are for in Israel.
Step 2
We check each one
Certified, notarized where needed, and recent enough.
Step 3
State and federal apostilles
Together, in one order.
Step 4
Back to you
Ready to translate and submit in Israel.
Apostille for Israel: common questions
Does Israel accept apostilles?
Yes. Israel has been a party to the Hague Apostille Convention since 14 August 1978, so a U.S. apostille is all the certification it needs. No embassy step is involved.
Do I need a translation for Israel?
English documents are usually accepted for aliyah. Where Hebrew is needed, the translation is commonly notarized by an Israeli notary.
Who apostilles my document?
The state that issued it, or where it was notarized. Federal documents such as an FBI check go to the U.S. Department of State. See apostille by state.
Official sources
Requirements, fees and processing times are set by the authorities below and can change without notice. Verify anything time-critical directly with them.
HCCH Apostille Convention status table
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Related: FBI background check · Birth certificate · Country checker