An Apostille is an international stamp that legalizes an Israeli document for presentation in countries that are parties to the Hague Convention. Without this rectangular stamp, foreign authorities will not recognize your birth certificates, diplomas, or powers of attorney as valid. Handling the procedure independently often results in losing several business days.
The office of attorney and notary Elena Gomelski in Tel Aviv (Jaffa) provides a complete “turnkey” service for obtaining and legalizing documents, saving you from queues at ministries and courts.
Two Types of Apostille in Israel: Where Should You Apply?
The legalization system in Israel is divided into two tracks. Depending on the type of document, the stamp is issued by different government institutions:
1. Apostille on original government documents
If the document was issued by an Israeli government authority, such as Misrad HaPnim — the Ministry of Interior, Misrad HaBriut — the Ministry of Health, the police, or the army, the stamp is issued by the Consular Department of the Ministry of Foreign Affairs (Misrad HaChutz) in Jerusalem.
Documents that can be apostilled: birth, marriage, and death certificates, police clearance certificates, and extracts from the population registry.
2. Apostille on notarial acts
If the document was prepared, translated, or certified by a notary, the notary’s signature and seal are confirmed by the clerk of the Magistrate’s Court (Beit Mishpat HaShalom).
Documents that can be apostilled: notarial powers of attorney, affidavits, copies, as well as step-by-step document translation for Apostille.
How to Obtain an Apostille in Tel Aviv Without Traveling to Jerusalem
A visit to the Ministry of Foreign Affairs requires an appointment, and available dates may be booked weeks in advance. At our office in central Tel Aviv, the procedure follows an accelerated process:
- Document submission: you bring the originals to our office or send them by courier.
- Analysis: we determine which Apostille, or “double Apostille,” is required by the receiving country.
- Notarial processing: if necessary, we prepare and certify the translation.
- Stamp placement: our couriers deliver the documents to the relevant courts or to the Israeli Ministry of Foreign Affairs.
- Issuance: you collect a fully legalized package ready for use abroad.
Timeframes and Procedure
The standard process for obtaining an Apostille through the court takes 1–2 business days. Legalization of original documents through the Ministry of Foreign Affairs may take longer due to the workload of the authority. However, working through a law office helps minimize these delays thanks to established channels of communication with government bodies.
Frequently Asked Questions (FAQ)
Can an Apostille be placed on a copy of a document?
Yes, but this will be a court Apostille confirming the signature of the notary who certified the copy. Some foreign authorities require an Apostille only on the original document issued by the Ministry of Foreign Affairs. We recommend checking the requirements of the receiving authority in advance.
Does an Apostille have an expiration date?
The Apostille stamp itself does not expire. However, the document itself may have a validity period. For example, a police clearance certificate is usually valid for 3–6 months. If the document has expired, the Apostille will not make it valid.
Does the Apostille stamp need to be translated?
An Apostille issued in Israel is completed in Hebrew and English according to the international standard. In most cases, no additional translation is required. However, CIS countries sometimes request a notarial translation even of the English text of the stamp.
Need document legalization without queues and stress?
Attorney and notary Elena Gomelski will help you quickly obtain an Apostille in Tel Aviv and at the Israeli Ministry of Foreign Affairs.
Phone: 03-375-1178
Online request: Leave your contact details through the form on this page, and we will contact you to calculate the cost.
