Approval of Civil Status

To register your civil marriage or divorce from outside of Israel with The Population and Immigration Authority (Reshut HaOchlusin V’Hahagira) you must present an original marriage or divorce certificate with an apostille attached to it. Go to your local branch of the Population and Immigration Authority with the documents where they will update your personal status and you will be issued a new Sefach (paper addendum to your ID card) which will reflect the updated information.

For more information regarding apostilles, please see here.

Approval of an Orthodox Marriage
at the Rabbanut

Ishur Nisuin – Marriage Approval

Couples with an Orthodox Ketuba, who do not have a civil marriage from abroad, who would like to have their marriage recognized in Israel may do so by applying for an Ishur Nisuin (approval of your marriage) at the local Rabbinate Beit Din with the following:

• Ketuba
• Letter from Mesader Kiddushin saying you were single and Jewish at the time of marriage. If your Mesader Kiddushin is not available, a letter from a different rabbi may suffice.
• Passports or Teudot Zehut (Israeli IDs are required for citizens) of both spouses
• 2 passport pictures of each spouse
• 274 NIS application fee

There is no need for both spouses to attend this first meeting, which is for applying and filing a claim.

A list of Beit Din locations can be found here.

Opening hours are: Sun-Thu, 8:30-13:30

Once you have applied you will have a date set to meet with the Beit Din and receive your Israeli marriage certificate. For this meeting, you may be asked to bring 2 witnesses who will attest to knowing you are married and Jewish.

Ishur Gerushin – Divorce Approval

The same process can be done to receive an Ishur Gerushin, equivalent of an Israeli divorce certificate. As part of the process of having your divorce recognized you will be required to have your marriage approved as explained above. In addition to the documents listed above you will need to present your Gett or Maaseh Beit Din.

In situations in which cooperation of one of the spouses cannot be expected, we recommend going to file the claim and follow the instructions given by the Beit Din administration.

* Last updated on July 16, 2023 *