Establishing paternity plays a crucial role in the process of obtaining Israeli citizenship, especially in cases where the father of the child is an Israeli citizen, and the mother is not. This article will explore the procedures associated with establishing paternity in the context of obtaining Israeli citizenship.
The importance of establishing paternity
Establishing paternity is vital for the status of a child born to one Israeli and one foreign parent. It’s not just a matter of personal identification but also a key factor in determining the child’s right to Israeli citizenship.
Legal norms
According to Israeli law, a child born to an Israeli citizen is entitled to Israeli citizenship. However, if paternity is not officially established, the process of obtaining citizenship can be complicated.
Filing a paternity suit
To initiate the process, one or both parents must file a paternity suit in an Israeli family court. The application must include details about both parents, the child, the child’s place of birth, etc. Parents will need to sign declarations agreeing to the paternity establishment process. If one parent disagrees with the process, it can still be initiated by only one parent without the consent of the other.
DNA test
Parents must provide evidence of paternity, including the child’s birth certificate and documents proving the relationship between the parents (e.g., a marriage certificate if they are married). After reviewing the parents’ application and obtaining consent from the prosecution, the court will issue an order for a DNA test. The DNA test is conducted in one of the Israeli laboratories, even if one of the parties is abroad. In such cases, DNA samples can be given in the Israeli consulate in the country of residence.
Court decision
After the test results are submitted to the court, the judge will make a decision on recognizing paternity. With this decision, the parents can approach the Israeli Ministry of Interior or the Israeli consulate in their place of residence to register the child in the Israeli citizens’ registry and obtain an Israeli identity number for him.
Establishing paternity is a crucial step towards obtaining Israeli citizenship for children born to mixed-nationality couples. This process is a full-fledged legal procedure, so the assistance of a lawyer is indispensable. If you have any questions, we are happy to help.