Apostille for Israel: U.S. documents, Israeli certificates and police records

Apostille and documents
An apostille in Israel works in two directions: a U.S. document for Israel gets its apostille from the U.S. state that issued it, and an Israeli public document can be authenticated at an Israeli mission. Israel joined the Hague Convention in 1978.

Checked against the official pages on 13 November 2026. How we check.

An apostille in Israel’s paperwork is the stamp that makes a public document valid in the other country. The Embassy’s contact page recalls that Israel joined the Hague Convention in 1978, and it lists the offices that give the apostille in DC, Maryland and Virginia (Embassy contact page).

A U.S. document going to Israel

A U.S. birth, marriage or court document is apostilled by the competent authority of the state that issued it, in most states the Secretary of State. Each state hub on this site names that authority, and the Embassy sends you to the state office for it.

Apostilles, in two directions

An Israeli public document used in the U.S.

The Embassy’s page on authentication says you bring the original public document, with its chain of stamps, and an ID; you do not have to appear in person, but the original has to be submitted at the mission (Embassy authentication page).

The Embassy asks for a PDF by email first for a preliminary check.

Document Where In person?
U.S. document for Israel The state that issued it Depends on the state
Israeli public document An Israeli mission No, but the original goes to the mission
Israeli police certificate Requested through a mission No
National Insurance life certificate An Israeli mission Yes
Affidavit for use in Israel An Israeli mission Yes, the signer
Israeli driver’s license certification An Israeli mission No, by email

Other documents the missions handle

The Israeli police certificate, the teudat yosher, is requested through a mission without appearing in person, with a copy of your passport and the address where it should be sent (New York’s page).

A life certificate for National Insurance (Bituach Leumi) is signed in person; New York says it can be done at public reception without an appointment (New York’s page).

An affidavit for use in Israel is signed in person before a consular officer (New York’s page).

A certification of an Israeli driver’s license can be requested by email at the Embassy (Embassy page).

A U.S. birth certificate for a child’s registration

Apostille it in the state that issued it, then see Israeli citizenship.

A U.S. police record for an Israeli visa

It needs the apostille too: see the work visa.

A power of attorney for Israel

Sign it in person before a consular officer at a mission, by appointment.

Before you send a document to Israel
  • The original public document
  • The apostille from the issuing state, for a U.S. document
  • A translation, if the receiving office asks for one
  • A PDF copy for the mission’s preliminary check
 A U.S. document gets its apostille in the state that issued it, before it goes to the mission or to Israel. 

Questions people ask

How to get an apostille in Israel?

For an Israeli public document, through the authorities in Israel or by authentication at an Israeli mission; for a U.S. one, from the issuing state.

How to get police clearance in Israel?

Request the Israeli police certificate through an Israeli mission, without appearing in person, with a passport copy and the address for delivery.

Is an Israeli driver's license valid in the U.S.?

The consular pages copied here do not say; they offer a certification of the Israeli license by email. Ask your state’s motor vehicle agency.

All procedures here
Fees and requirements
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