For the process of obtaining status in Israel, whether it’s citizenship, a residence permit under family unification, status for an elderly and lonely parent, or another type of visa, official documents from the country of origin are required. For Ukrainian citizens, the process of obtaining documents can be particularly complex due to the war in the country. However, with an understanding of the steps required to obtain the documents and sometimes the help of an expert, the task is achievable!
Step 1: List of Required Documents
The first step is preparing a list of documents required for submitting an application for status in Israel. The list of documents varies from process to process, but there are several documents relevant to any status acquisition process in Israel:
- Birth certificate
- Marriage certificate, divorce certificate, or a declaration confirming that the applicant has never been married
- Certificate of no criminal record
- Proof of Jewish origin, in case of an application for Aliyah
All documents issued after 1991 must be authenticated with an Apostille.
Step 2: Obtaining Documents from Ukraine
If you don’t have the required documents, you’ll need to contact the appropriate institutions in Ukraine. These can be civil status registration offices (for births, marriages) and the Ministry of Interior (for certificates of no criminal record).
Documents from Ukraine can be obtained in several ways:
Personal application: If you have the opportunity, you can apply to the appropriate institutions in person
Power of attorney: You can appoint an authorized person to receive the documents on your behalf. For this, you need to prepare a notarized power of attorney authenticated with an Apostille.
Contacting an expert: When the applicant has no possibility to travel to Ukraine personally, or has no friends/relatives there, it is recommended to contact an expert on the matter.
Step 3: Authentication
As mentioned, documents from Ukraine need to be suitable for use in Israel. This means they must be authenticated with an Apostille stamp. The Apostille can be obtained at the Ministry of Justice of Ukraine or at the appropriate institutions according to the place of issuance of the certificate.
Step 4: Document Translation
Documents issued in Ukrainian need to be translated into Hebrew. The translation must be done by a notary who is proficient in both Ukrainian and Hebrew.
Recommendations
Start the document acquisition process as early as possible: Collecting and authenticating documents can take a long time, especially given the security situation in Ukraine.
Check the requirements in advance: Make sure you know exactly which documents are needed for your application, so you won’t have to go through the process twice because of a document that wasn’t ordered and is required, and you also won’t spend unnecessary money on an unnecessary document.
Seek professional help: If the process of obtaining documents from Ukraine seems too complicated, consult with a lawyer specializing in immigration matters.
With proper preparation and understanding of all the steps for obtaining documents from the country of origin, it is possible to successfully go through the process of obtaining status in Israel, despite the difficulties involved. Our office has helped countless applicants collect the required documents from Ukraine, including documents proving eligibility for Aliyah.
If you need help obtaining documents from Ukraine – we would be happy to assist.