Israel is a party to the Hague Apostille Convention (in force since 14 August 1978). A U.S. public document bound for Israel needs a single apostille from the competent authority of the state that issued or notarized it, or from the U.S. Department of State for federal documents. No embassy or consular legalization is required, and Israel's authorities cannot demand one.
Acceded 1977-11-11; in force 1978-08-14 (HCCH).
The route, step by step
- Identify the issuing office
State or local signature → that state’s competent authority. Federal signature → U.S. Department of State. How to tell.
- Prepare the right version
Certified copies for vital and court records; complete notarization for private documents. Preparation checklist.
- Request the apostille
Name Israel as the destination on the request form so the office issues an apostille (not an authentication certificate).
- Translate if required
Confirm with the receiving office in Israel whether a translation is needed and by whom it must be made.
Using U.S. documents in Israel
Israel accepts U.S. apostilles; Israeli apostilles for the reverse direction come from the Ministry of Foreign Affairs and the courts. Translations into Hebrew are generally required for official use and are usually certified by an Israeli notary or lawyer (Israeli notaries may certify translations). Procedures: Aliyah (Nefesh B’Nefesh and the Jewish Agency require apostilled birth and marriage certificates and, for some applicants, apostilled FBI checks and proof of Jewish status), registration of foreign marriages with the Population Authority (Israel has no civil marriage; foreign civil marriages are registered with apostilled certificates), inheritance (apostilled probate documents and affidavits for the Registrar of Inheritance), and property and company matters (apostilled POAs and corporate documents).
Why U.S. documents are sent to Israel
- Aliyah / immigration
- marriage registration
- inheritance and property
- education
- pension
Israel-specific points
- Israeli consulates do not authenticate US official documents because the US issues apostilles (Consulate LA).
Frequently asked questions
Do I need an apostille or legalization for Israel?
An apostille. Israel is a Hague Convention member, so no embassy legalization is needed.
Who issues the apostille for Israel?
The U.S. state that issued or notarized the document, or the U.S. Department of State for federal documents — never a U.S. embassy, and never Israel’s embassy.
Does Israel require a translation?
Requirements vary by the receiving authority in Israel; translate after the apostille with the translator type they specify.
