When moving abroad, applying for a job, studying, or getting married outside Israel, your documents — certificates, diplomas, and official records — must be legalized for the receiving authority. The basic form of legalization is the “Apostille” stamp. However, foreign authorities do not accept documents in Hebrew. They require a notarized translation, which in most cases must also be apostilled.
Notary Elena Gomelski specializes in the comprehensive preparation and translation of Israeli documents for use abroad, in strict compliance with the requirements of the Hague Convention.
The correct procedure: what comes first — translation or apostille?
The most common mistake that causes documents to be rejected abroad is an incorrect legalization sequence. The correct procedure, often called a “double apostille,” is as follows:
- Apostille of the original document. First, the original Israeli document issued by the Ministry of Interior, a court, or another government authority receives the initial apostille.
- Notarized translation. The document is translated together with the text of the initial apostille. The notary binds the translation to the original document or to its notarized copy and certifies it.
- Apostille of the translation. A second apostille is placed on the notary’s signature and seal, usually by the court, confirming the authority of the notary.
Requirements for translations used for legalization
Receiving authorities in CIS countries, Europe, or the United States examine documents very carefully. To avoid rejection, we strictly follow these standards:
- Complete translation: absolutely all text is translated, including footnotes, seals, holograms, and stamps of the Ministry of Foreign Affairs (Misrad HaHutz).
- Transliteration: the spelling of names, surnames, and geographical names must strictly match your international passport.
- Binding: the notarial act is bound with a red ribbon and sealed. Any damage to the binding makes the document invalid.
How the procedure works in our Tel Aviv office
We save your time by combining legal and translation services in one place:
- You provide us with the original documents, either at our Tel Aviv office or by courier.
- We analyze the requirements of the receiving country.
- We prepare a professional translation and notarize it.
If necessary, we arrange for the required stamps to be placed by courts or ministries. You can read more about this procedure in our article: Where and how to quickly obtain an apostille in Tel Aviv.
FAQ
Do I need to translate an Israeli document if it already contains English duplication? Yes. Even if some fields are duplicated in English, as in a Teudat Zehut, stamps, seals, and footnotes remain in Hebrew. Foreign authorities require a 100% translation of the entire document.
Can I make a notarized translation after arriving in another country? It is possible, but it involves risks. A foreign notary may not be able to translate Hebrew, so you would have to find a certified translator locally. It is cheaper and more reliable to make the translation in Israel and have it confirmed with an apostille.
How long does the translation of documents with an apostille take? The notarized translation itself takes 1–2 business days in our office. Obtaining apostilles from government authorities may add from several days to a couple of weeks, depending on the workload of the relevant institutions.
Preparing documents for relocation, study, or work abroad?
Entrust the translation and legalization process to professionals to avoid bureaucratic refusals. Contact the office of Notary Elena Gomelski in central Tel Aviv.
Phone: 03-375-1178
Submit a request: Use the contact form on this page.
