Complete List of Documents Required for Aliyah

Your Comprehensive Checklist

Gathering the right documents is essential for a smooth Aliyah process. This guide organizes all required documents by category with detailed explanations to help you prepare.

Identity and Civil Status Documents

1.  Birth Certificates

ï  Original long-form birth certificate for each family member

ï  Must include applicant's full name AND both parents' names

ï  Short-form certificates without parents' names are NOT acceptable

ï  Must be issued by the country of birth

ï  Must have apostille certification

**Note: **U.S. citizens born abroad: Consular Report of Birth Abroad is NOT sufficient; you need the birth certificate from the country where you were born.

2.  Passports

ï  Copy of main page (photo and identifying information) of current passport

ï  Copies of pages with name changes or date extensions

ï  Must be valid for at least 6 months from anticipated Aliyah date

ï  For Entry/Exit Form (ages 17+): Copies of ALL passports (valid or expired) for ALL nationalities for the past 7 years

3.  Marriage Certificate (if applicable)

ï  Original marriage certificate showing both spouses' names

ï  Must have apostille certification

ï  If married outside country of residence, need certificate from that country

ï  Second marriages: previous divorce or death certificate also required

4.  Divorce Certificate(s) (if applicable)

ï  Official divorce decree/certificate with apostille

ï  Required for each previous marriage that ended in divorce

5.  Death Certificate(s) (if applicable)

ï  Death certificate of deceased spouse (if widowed) with apostille

6.  Adoption Papers (if applicable)

ï  Official adoption decree/certificate with apostille

7.  Name Change Documentation (if applicable)

ï  Legal name change certificate or court order with apostille

Proof of Jewish Heritage

8.  Proof of Judaism Letter

Required for ALL adults in family making Aliyah. The letter must include:

ï  Written within the past year on official synagogue letterhead

ï  Rabbi's name, congregation name, location, and telephone number

ï  Your full legal name (as appears on passport)

ï  Your parents' names

ï  Statement that you are Jewish and born to a Jewish mother

ï  Statement explaining how the rabbi knows you

**Recognized Rabbis: **Must be from a recognized Rabbinical Organization. Orthodox, Conservative, and Reform rabbis are acceptable if affiliated with an established synagogue.

Alternative Documentation:

ï  Jewish marriage certificate (ketubah) from parents or grandparents

ï  Bar/Bat Mitzvah certificates

ï  Jewish community membership records or synagogue records

ï  Holocaust survivor documentation

Background and Security Documents

9.  Criminal Background Check

ï  Required for ALL applicants over age 14

ï  Required from EVERY country you lived in for more than one year (regardless of citizenship)

ï  FBI background check for U.S. applicants; ACRO for UK applicants

ï  Must have apostille certification

ï  Valid for limited period—check current requirements

**Important: **Federal documents (like FBI checks) are apostilled by U.S. State Department in Washington DC, NOT state offices. Plan ahead—this can be time-consuming.

Application Forms and Declarations

10.  Aliyah Application

Complete online application including personal information, family details, educational background, employment history, reasons for making Aliyah, and post-Aliyah plans.

11.  Health Declaration Forms

ï  Separate form for each adult (ages 18+)

ï  Minor's Health Declaration for each child under 18

ï  You fill these out yourself—NOT for physician to complete

ï  Valid for 6 months from date of completion

12.  Personal Status Affidavit (for Aliyah from within Israel)

ï  Personal declaration signed before Israeli notary

ï  Confirms current personal status (single, married, divorced, widowed)

ï  Valid for 6 months from authentication date

13.  Information Release Waiver

ï  Allows Jewish Agency to transfer information to Israeli government offices and Olim associations

ï  Sign the waiver; no need to complete "Affirmation of Signature" section

Photos

14.  Passport Photos

ï  Two official, identical passport photos per family member (ages 16+)

ï  Must meet Israeli passport photo specifications

ï  Professional quality required—homemade photos NOT accepted

ï  Two additional photos needed for visa application

15.  Family Photo

ï  Good quality, recent, color photo

ï  Families: One photo including ALL family members together

ï  Singles: Photo of applicant only

Document Authentication: Apostille Certification

Documents Requiring Apostille:

ï  Birth certificates (all family members)

ï  Marriage, divorce, and death certificates

ï  Adoption papers and name change documents

ï  Criminal background checks

How to Obtain Apostille:

ï  **U.S. State Documents: **Apostilled by the Secretary of State office of the state that issued the document

ï  **U.S. Federal Documents (FBI): **Apostilled by U.S. State Department in Washington DC

ï  **Canadian Documents: **Apostilles issued by Government of Canada (as of January 2024)

ï  **UK Documents: **Apostilled through the UK Foreign Office

**Timeline: **Apostilles can take several weeks. Plan ahead—this is required BEFORE you can make Aliyah.

Document Translation Requirements

Documents That Generally Don't Need Translation:

ï  Documents in English, French, Russian, or Hebrew

Documents That DO Need Translation:

ï  All documents in other languages

ï  Must be notarized translation into English OR Hebrew

ï  Must include copy of original certificate alongside translation

Special Category Requirements

Ezrach Oleh (Israeli Citizen Born Abroad):

ï  Israeli passport and foreign passport

ï  Birth certificate (no apostille needed on Israeli certificates)

ï  Proof of Judaism only if mother is not Israeli

Katin Chozer (Left Israel Before Age 14):

ï  Israeli passport and foreign passport

ï  Birth certificate with apostille (unless Israeli)

Toshav Chozer (Returning Resident):

ï  All certificates verifying changes in personal status since leaving Israel

Documents to Bring on Aliyah Flight

CRITICAL: These must be in CARRY-ON luggage, NOT checked baggage!

ï  Aliyah visa for every family member (unless you have Israeli passport)

ï  All passports (foreign and Israeli if applicable)

ï  Birth certificates with apostilles for all family members

ï  Proof of Judaism

ï  Marriage certificate with apostille (if applicable)

ï  Criminal background check(s) with apostille

ï  Original versions of all documents submitted as copies

Timeline Considerations

Document Validity Periods:

ï  Health Declaration: 6 months from completion

ï  Personal Status Affidavit: 6 months from authentication

ï  Proof of Judaism letter: Must be written within past year

ï  Aliyah visa: Valid for 6 months once issued

ï  Background checks: Limited validity—check current requirements

Recommended Timeline:

ï  8-10 months before: Begin gathering documents

ï  1-2 months before: Apply for visa (processing takes 18+ business days)

Important Reminders

**Keep Originals: **Submit copies with application but keep originals for your records. Bring originals to meetings with Jewish Agency and Ministry of Interior. Originals will not be returned once submitted.

Common Issues to Avoid:

ï  Short-form birth certificates (need long-form with parents' names)

ï  Expired passports or documents

ï  Missing apostilles

ï  Outdated proof of Judaism letters (must be within past year)

ï  Forgetting documents from previous countries of residence

ï  Not translating foreign language documents

After Document Submission

1. Application reviewed by Jewish Agency
2. May be requested to submit additional documents
3. Once complete, processing takes 4-6 weeks typically

4. Interview scheduled with Jewish Agency representative
5. Must present all original documents at interview
6. Receive approval ("Mazal Tov" letter) or request for more information
7. Once approved, proceed with visa application

**Stay Responsive: **Check email regularly and respond promptly to document requests. Delays in providing documents delay the entire process.

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

Updated on: 01/02/2026