When submitting applications to the Ministry of Interior (MOI) of Israel, whether it be for a visa, residence permit, citizenship, or other services, it is important to provide all the necessary documents, most of which may have been issued in another country. However, for the documents to be recognized and processed by the Israeli authorities, they must be authenticated in accordance with the established requirements and translated into Hebrew. This article provides insight into the key aspects of translating official documents for submission to the MOI of Israel.
Which documents require translation?
In most cases, the following documents are required for submission to the MOI:
- Birth certificates
- Marriage certificates
- Divorce certificates
- Criminal record certificates
- Certificates of civil status
- Court rulings
- Other documents related to personal status
All of these documents must be apostilled or authenticated in another legally established manner (for countries that have not signed the Hague Convention). If the original document is not in English or Arabic, it must be translated into Hebrew in accordance with the requirements established by the MOI. It is important to note that even if the document is in English or Arabic, an MOI representative may still request a Hebrew translation if they do not speak these languages.
Translation requirements
- Notarized Translation
An official document submitted to the MOI must be translated by an Israeli notary who is proficient in both the foreign language in which the document is written and Hebrew. It is important to note that for the document to be accepted by the MOI, it must be translated by the notary themselves and not by a translator whose declaration is notarized. Only in cases where there is no Israeli notary proficient in the foreign language (e.g., Vietnamese), the MOI may allow submission of documents translated by a certified translator, with the translator’s declaration notarized by an Israeli notary. - Official Translation Abroad
In some cases, it is permissible to submit a document translated in the country where it was issued, but only if the translation is notarized by a notary in that country and re-apostilled or certified by the Israeli consulate. It is important to remember that the translation must be in Hebrew. Even if these conditions are met, the MOI may still require the translation to be redone by an Israeli notary.
General advice
- Plan ahead:
The process of obtaining an apostille and translating documents can take time, so it is recommended to begin preparations as early as possible. - Verification:
It is important to ensure the accuracy of the translation. If you do not speak Hebrew, ask friends or family to review the translation for correctness. If this is not possible, at least compare the numbers and dates in the original document and the translation. - Consult a lawyer:
In some cases, legal assistance can simplify the process of submitting documents. A lawyer can help ensure that all documents are correctly translated, notarized, legalized, and meet the necessary requirements. - Keep up with current requirements:
MOI regulations may change, so it is important to check the latest requirements for translating and legalizing documents before submitting them.
Conclusion
Translating official documents for submission to the MOI of Israel is a crucial step in the process of obtaining visas, citizenship, and other services. Mistakes in translations or missing authentications can lead to delays or rejection of your case. Therefore, it is important to pay close attention to every detail.
