Birth Certificates Required For Aliyah

Birth Certificates for Aliyah

Complete Requirements Guide

The birth certificate is one of the most critical documents in your Aliyah application, and getting the right version is essential. Many applicants face delays because they submit the wrong type of birth certificate. This guide explains exactly what you need and how to obtain it.

What Type of Birth Certificate You Need

You MUST have a long-form birth certificate that includes:

ï Your full legal name (as it appears on your passport)

ï Your date and place of birth

ï **BOTH parents' full names **(this is critical)

ï Official government seal or stamp

ï Issuing authority information and registration number

Short-Form Certificates Are NOT Acceptable

Many people have a short-form birth certificate (also called an abstract, wallet card, or hospital certificate) that only shows name, date, and place of birth—often with only one parent's name or none. This will be rejected. You must obtain the long-form version.

Why Parents' Names Are Required

ï **Establishing Jewish Heritage: **Proves maternal Jewish lineage or connection to Jewish parent/grandparent for Law of Return eligibility

ï **Identity Verification: **Confirms family relationships, prevents fraud, and cross-references with other family members' documents

ï **Population Registry: **Israel maintains detailed population registry with parents' names for official family connections

Where to Obtain Your Birth Certificate

United States

Birth records are maintained by each state. You must order from the state where you were born, not where you currently live.

How to Order:

ï **Online: **VitalChek.com or individual state vital records websites (fastest method)

ï **By Mail: **Download application from state vital records office, include ID and payment

ï **In Person: **Visit state vital records office with government-issued ID

**Important: **Specify you need "certified copy" or "long-form" showing parents' names. **Processing Time: **Online 2-4 weeks; Mail 3-6 weeks; In person same day to 1 week **Cost: **$15-50 per copy depending on state

**Resource: CDC State Vital Records Links

Canada

ï Order from Provincial/Territorial Vital Statistics Office where you were born

ï Processing time: 2-6 weeks; Cost: $30-50 CAD typically

United Kingdom

ï Order from General Register Office (GRO) for England and Wales

ï Scotland and Northern Ireland have separate systems

ï Request "full certificate" showing parents' names (not "short certificate")

ï **Website: gov.uk - Order Certificates

ï Processing: 3-5 business days; Cost: £11-35 depending on service speed

Other Countries

ï Contact vital records office in country of birth (may be called civil registry or population registry)

ï Procedures vary widely; may require embassy/consulate if not living in country of birth

Special Situations and Solutions

Born Outside Your Country of Citizenship

Example: U.S. citizen born in Germany while parents were stationed there. You need the birth certificate from Germany (where you were born), NOT the U.S. Consular Report of Birth Abroad. The Israeli government requires the certificate from the actual country of birth.

Adopted Children

ï Original birth certificate (if available) and amended certificate showing adoptive parents

ï Official adoption decree/papers with apostille

ï Consult with Jewish Agency about your specific case

Name Changes

ï Birth certificate with original name

ï Legal name change documentation (marriage certificate or court order)

ï All documents with apostilles; must trace from birth name to current name

Parents' Names Don't Match Other Documents

ï Provide documentation connecting the names (parent's birth certificate, marriage certificate, name change documents)

ï Letter explaining discrepancy if needed

Cannot Locate Birth Certificate

ï Order new certified copy from vital records office (you don't need the "original" issued at birth)

ï If no record exists: Hospital birth record, baptismal certificate with parents' names, school records, or affidavits from family members may be accepted

ï Consult Israeli consulate and Jewish Agency for guidance

Translation Requirements

**Languages NOT Requiring Translation: **English, Hebrew, French, Russian

All Other Languages:

ï Must be professionally translated to Hebrew or English

ï Translator must be certified/notarized

ï Include both original and translation

Apostille Certification

Critical: Your birth certificate needs an apostille for Aliyah.

An apostille is an official certification that authenticates the document for international use under the Hague Convention. Israel recognizes apostilles from signatory countries.

How to Get Apostille (United States):

Order certified birth certificate from state
Send or take to Secretary of State office in the state that issued it
Pay apostille fee ($5-25 typically)
Receive apostilled birth certificate

**Important: **Must be apostilled by the SAME state that issued the certificate. California certificate = California Secretary of State apostille. Cannot get apostille in different state.

**Processing Time: **By mail 1-3 weeks; In person same day to few days

**Canada: **As of January 2024, Government of Canada issues apostilles centrally.

**UK: **Foreign, Commonwealth & Development Office (FCDO) handles apostilles.

How Many Copies to Get

Why Multiple Copies:

ï Submit one to Jewish Agency

ï Keep one for your records

ï Need original to present at interview and on Aliyah flight

ï Backup in case one is lost

ï May need for banking, employment in Israel

**Note: **Each certified copy needs its own apostille. Cannot photocopy an apostilled document.

Common Mistakes to Avoid

ï **Getting Wrong Version: **Ordering short-form when long-form required; hospital certificate instead of state certificate

ï **Forgetting Parents' Names: **Assuming your certificate has them without checking

ï **Wrong State: **Ordering from state you live in, not state you were born in

ï **Apostille Errors: **Getting apostille from wrong state; forgetting apostille; photocopying apostilled document

ï **Timing Issues: **Ordering too late; not accounting for mail delays

ï **Name Discrepancies: **Not addressing differences between birth name and current name

Timeline and Planning

8-10 Months Before Aliyah:

ï Identify what birth certificate you have

ï Verify it shows parents' names

ï Order certified copies if needed

6-8 Months Before:

ï Receive certified birth certificates

ï Arrange for apostille certification

ï Receive apostilled certificates

4-6 Months Before:

ï Submit apostilled certificates with Aliyah application

ï Keep originals for your records

**Important: **Don't wait until last minute. Process can take 2-3 months if you need to order everything. Unexpected delays happen.

Costs Summary (Per Person)

ï **Certified Birth Certificate: **$15-50 per copy ($30-150 for multiple copies)

ï **Apostille Fee: **$5-25 per copy

ï **Optional Service Companies: **$50-200 per document

ï **Translation (if needed): **$25-100+

ï **Total Estimate: **$50-400+ per person depending on state/country and services used

For Each Family Member

Everyone making Aliyah needs their own birth certificate with the same requirements: long-form with parents' names, apostille certification, certified copy (not photocopy), and proper translations if applicable. This includes spouse and each child.

The Bottom Line

Your birth certificate is a fundamental document for Aliyah. You must have a long-form certified copy showing both parents' names, and it must be apostilled. Start this process early—it takes time to order, receive, and apostille these documents. Multiple copies are wise. Keep originals safe and in good condition. If you have any questions about whether your birth certificate meets requirements, ask the Jewish Agency before submitting your application.

**For more information, visit www.easyaliyah.com

Updated on: 01/02/2026

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