Divorce Certificate for Aliyah Documentation

Overview

Divorce documents can be relevant for aliyah in several situations. There are two types that may be needed:

**1.        Get (גט) **- Jewish religious divorce document

**2.        Civil divorce certificate **- Legal divorce decree from civil authorities

When Divorce Documents Are Needed for Aliyah

Primary Situations

1.  Current Marital Status Verification

ï           If you're currently divorced, you need to prove your marital status

ï           Required for completing personal status documentation

ï           Affects registration in Israel's population registry

2.  Remarriage Documentation

ï           If you remarried after divorce, proves previous marriage was legally dissolved

ï           Especially important if your current spouse is also making aliyah

3.  Children's Status

ï           When bringing children from a previous marriage

ï           Custody arrangements and permissions

ï           Establishing parental relationships

4.  Proving Jewish Identity Through Ex-Spouse

ï           Rare, but if your Jewish status was partly established through marriage

ï           If ex-spouse's family documentation is relevant to your case

The Get (Jewish Divorce) - גט

What Is a Get?

A **Get **is a Jewish religious divorce document written in Aramaic by a specially trained scribe (sofer). According to Jewish law, a Jewish marriage must be dissolved with a Get for either party to remarry in a Jewish ceremony.

Get Requirements for Aliyah

When You MUST Have a Get:

**1.        If you want to marry in Israel **- The Chief Rabbinate requires a Get if:

◦           You were married in a Jewish ceremony (even Reform/Conservative)

◦           You are now divorced

◦           You want to remarry in Israel

**2.        For women (especially) **- A woman divorced without a Get cannot remarry in Israel under Orthodox Jewish law

**3.        To avoid agunah status **- Women without a Get are considered "chained" (agunah)

What Israeli Authorities Check:

ï           That the Get was issued by a recognized Beit Din (rabbinical court)

ï           Proper witnesses signed the document

ï           Date and location of the divorce

ï           Names match other documentation

ï           The Get was delivered properly to the wife

Get Format and Content

Traditional Get Contains:

ï           **Date: **Hebrew date and civil date

ï           **Location: **City where Get was issued, traditionally described as "on the river/sea"

ï           **Names: **Husband and wife's Hebrew names and their fathers' Hebrew names

ï           **Formal declaration: **"You are hereby permitted to all men" (for the woman)

ï           **Witnesses: **Two kosher witnesses (not related to the couple)

ï           **Scribe information: **Name of the sofer who wrote it

ï           **Beit Din: **Names of the three rabbis who supervised

**Language: **Entirely in Aramaic with specific traditional formula

Physical Characteristics:

ï           Written on special parchment or high-quality paper

ï           Typically 12 lines long (symbolic number)

ï           Hand-written by a trained scribe

ï           Distinctive formatting with specific spacing

ï           Multiple signatures and stamps

Recognized Beit Din Sources

Generally Accepted:

ï           Orthodox rabbinical courts worldwide

ï           Israeli Chief Rabbinate

ï           Rabbinical Council of America (RCA) in USA

ï           London Beth Din

ï           Major Orthodox batei din in diaspora communities

May Face Scrutiny:

ï           Conservative/Masorti Gittin - sometimes accepted, sometimes not

ï           Reform Gittin - generally not recognized by Israeli rabbinate

ï           Private rabbis without Beit Din

Civil Divorce Certificate

When Civil Divorce Is Needed

Required For:

**1.        Legal documentation **- Proving you're legally divorced

**2.        Immigration paperwork **- Standard requirement for immigration forms

**3.        Children's documentation **- Custody arrangements

**4.        Property/financial matters **- If bringing assets into Israel

**5.        Social benefits **- Affects eligibility for certain programs

What's Needed

Standard Requirements:

ï           Official divorce decree from court

ï           Certified/notarized copy

ï           Translation to Hebrew if not in English

ï           Apostille (if from Hague Convention country)

ï           All pages including final decree

Information It Should Include:

ï           Names of both parties

ï           Date divorce was finalized

ï           Court issuing the decree

ï           Case/docket number

ï           Judge's signature

ï           Official court seal

Documentation Scenarios

Scenario 1: Jewish Woman Divorced from Jewish Man

What You Need:

ï           ✓ Civil divorce certificate (always)

ï           ✓ Get from recognized Beit Din (highly recommended, essential if you want to remarry in Israel)

ï           Original ketubah if available (shows original marriage)

Importance:

ï           Without a Get, you cannot remarry in Israel

ï           May face issues registering with rabbinate

ï           Could affect children's future marriages

Scenario 2: Jewish Man Divorced from Jewish Woman

What You Need:

ï           ✓ Civil divorce certificate (always)

ï           ✓ Get (recommended, especially if remarrying)

Note:

ï           Men face fewer restrictions without a Get than women

ï           Still recommended for clean documentation

ï           Prevents future complications

Scenario 3: Intermarriage Divorce

If You (Jewish) Divorced Non-Jewish Spouse:

ï           Civil divorce certificate required

ï           Get not applicable (marriage wasn't Jewish)

ï           Focus on proving YOUR Jewish identity through other means

If Non-Jewish Person Married to Jew:

ï           Civil divorce needed for immigration paperwork

ï           Get not relevant for your aliyah eligibility

ï           But if converting, timing matters

Scenario 4: Bringing Children from Previous Marriage

Essential Documents:

ï           Both civil divorce certificate AND custody agreement

ï           Proof of permission to relocate with children

ï           Other parent's consent (often notarized)

ï           Birth certificates showing parentage

ï           Court orders regarding custody

Special Considerations:

ï           May need Hague Convention documentation

ï           International child custody laws apply

ï           Other parent cannot legally prevent aliyah, but cooperation helps

Scenario 5: Divorced and Remarried

Need Both:

ï           Previous divorce documentation (civil + Get if applicable)

ï           Current marriage documentation

ï           Timeline showing all marriages/divorces

ï           If current spouse also divorced, their documentation too

Common Issues and Solutions

Issue 1: Ex-Spouse Won't Give Get

Problem:

ï           In Jewish law, husband must give the Get willingly

ï           Wife cannot remarry without it

ï           Creates "agunah" (chained woman) situation

Solutions:

ï           Pressure through Jewish community

ï           Beit Din intervention

ï           Pre-nuptial agreements (for future)

ï           Some Israeli courts can order a Get

ï           International Beit Din cooperation

For Aliyah Purposes:

ï           Can still make aliyah without Get

ï           But creates problems for remarriage in Israel

ï           Better to resolve before aliyah if possible

Issue 2: Non-Orthodox Get

Problem:

ï           You have Reform or Conservative Get

ï           Israeli Chief Rabbinate may not recognize it

Solutions:

ï           Obtain Orthodox Get if possible (even years later)

ï           Consult with rabbinical authorities before aliyah

ï           May affect ability to marry in Israel

ï           Consider getting Orthodox Get retroactively

ï           Document may still be acceptable as proof of dissolution

Issue 3: Lost or Missing Documents

For Lost Get:

ï           Contact the Beit Din that issued it

ï           They may have records and can issue confirmation letter

ï           Some batei din keep archives

ï           Witnesses may provide testimony

For Lost Civil Divorce:

ï           Request certified copy from court

ï           Court records department

ï           May take time, start process early

ï           Online court record systems in some jurisdictions

Issue 4: Foreign Language Documents

Solution:

ï           Get certified translation to Hebrew

ï           Use approved translators

ï           Apostille if applicable

ï           Keep originals with translations

Issue 5: Divorce from Country Not Recognized by Israel

Rare Issue:

ï           Some countries' divorces may not be automatically recognized

ï           Legal consultation needed

ï           May need to re-validate divorce in Israel

ï           Affects remarriage primarily

Preparing Your Divorce Documentation

Step-by-Step Checklist

1.  Gather All Documents:

ï           [ ] Civil divorce decree (certified copy)

ï           [ ] Get (if you have one)

ï           [ ] Original ketubah (if available)

ï           [ ] Custody agreements (if children involved)

ï           [ ] Any amendments or modifications to divorce

2.  Verify Authenticity:

ï           [ ] Court seal on civil divorce

ï           [ ] Signatures on Get

ï           [ ] Beit Din contact information

ï           [ ] Date and location clear

3.  Translations:

ï           [ ] Hebrew translation of civil divorce

ï           [ ] Certification of translation

ï           [ ] Keep originals attached

4.  Certifications:

ï           [ ] Apostille (if applicable)

ï           [ ] Notarization where required

ï           [ ] Court certification

5.  Supporting Documentation:

ï           [ ] Passport showing name change (if applicable)

ï           [ ] Documentation of current marital status

ï           [ ] Children's birth certificates

Organization Tips

Create a Divorce Documentation Package:

1.        Cover letter explaining:

◦           When you were married

◦           When you divorced

◦           Type of divorce (civil/religious)

◦           Current marital status

◦           Any relevant circumstances

2.        Ordered documents:

◦           Most recent/relevant first

◦           Originals with translations

◦           Chronological order

3.        Contact information:

◦           Your attorney (if applicable)

◦           Beit Din that issued Get

◦           Court that issued decree

What Jewish Agency/Ministry of Interior Will Look For

Standard Checks

For Civil Divorce:

ï           Valid court decree

ï           Final judgment

ï           Both parties' names match other documents

ï           Date is consistent with timeline

ï           Official seals/stamps present

For Get:

ï           Issued by recognized authority

ï           Proper witnesses

ï           Correct Aramaic formula

ï           Delivered to wife properly

ï           Dated appropriately

Overall:

ï           Consistency across all documents

ï           No contradictions in timeline

ï           Current status is clear

ï           Children's status documented

Red Flags They Avoid

ï           Missing documentation

ï           Suspicious alterations

ï           Unrecognized sources

ï           Timeline inconsistencies

ï           Incomplete information

Special Situations

Holocaust Survivors' Families

Challenges:

ï           Many documents destroyed

ï           Informal divorces during/after Holocaust

ï           Remarriages without proper documentation

Approach:

ï           Testimony accepted more readily

ï           Community records

ï           Yad Vashem documentation

ï           Leniency given historical circumstances

Soviet Jews

Common Issues:

ï           Religious divorces impossible in USSR

ï           Only civil divorces available

ï           Post-immigration Get obtainment

Solution:

ï           Civil divorce sufficient for immigration

ï           Get obtained after aliyah for remarriage purposes

ï           Documentation of Soviet-era restrictions helps

Complex Family Situations

Multiple Marriages/Divorces:

ï           Document each one chronologically

ï           Show clear progression

ï           Explain circumstances if unusual

Children from Multiple Marriages:

ï           Clear documentation for each child

ï           Proof of custody/permissions

ï           Relationship to each parent documented

For Women Specifically

Agunah Concerns

If You Cannot Get a Get:

ï           Can still make aliyah

ï           But **cannot remarry **in Israel through rabbinate

ï           Cannot marry in Orthodox ceremony

ï           Children's future marriages may be affected

ï           Consider this seriously before aliyah

Resources:

ï           Organization for the Resolution of Agunot (ORA)

ï           International Coalition for Agunah Rights (ICAR)

ï           Israeli rabbinical advocates

ï           Legal resources in Israel

Kohen Marriages

Special Consideration:

ï           If you plan to marry a Kohen (priestly descent)

ï           Kohanim cannot marry divorcees under Jewish law

ï           Get or no Get, this applies

ï           Important to understand before aliyah

Timeline Recommendations

Before Applying for Aliyah

Ideal Timeline:

ï           6-12 months before: Obtain all divorce documentation

ï           6 months before: Get translations and certifications

ï           3 months before: Organize complete package

ï           At application: Submit with aliyah paperwork

If Getting a Get:

ï           Start process immediately

ï           Can take 3-6 months

ï           Don't wait until last minute

ï           Some batei din have waiting lists

After Aliyah

If You Need a Get Later:

ï           Easier to obtain in Israel

ï           Israeli Beit Din system available

ï           But better to have before arrival

Cost Considerations

Typical Costs:

ï           Getting a Get: $500-2,000 (varies by Beit Din)

ï           Certified divorce copies: $25-100

ï           Translation services: $50-200

ï           Apostille: $15-50

ï           Notarization: $10-50 per document

ï           Legal consultation (if needed): varies widely

In Israel:

ï           Get from Israeli rabbinate: usually subsidized

ï           May be free or low cost

ï           Accessing court records: nominal fees

Final Recommendations

Essential Actions

**1.        Start early **- Divorce documentation can take time

**2.        Be thorough **- Get everything even if unsure if needed

**3.        Keep copies **- Multiple certified copies of everything

**4.        Consult experts **- Aliyah attorney if situation is complex

**5.        Be honest **- Full disclosure prevents future problems

Who to Consult

Before Aliyah:

ï           Jewish Agency representative

ï           Aliyah attorney (if complex situation)

ï           Rabbi familiar with aliyah requirements

ï           Your local Israeli consulate

About Get Issues:

ï           Orthodox rabbi

ï           Local Beit Din

ï           Organizations helping agunot

ï           Rabbinical advocates

Document Checklist Summary

For Everyone Divorced:

ï           ✓ Civil divorce decree (certified)

ï           ✓ Translation if needed

ï           ✓ Apostille if applicable

If Jewish Marriage:

ï           ✓ Get (highly recommended)

ï           ✓ Original ketubah if available

ï           ✓ Beit Din contact information

If Children Involved:

ï           ✓ Custody agreements

ï           ✓ Permission to relocate

ï           ✓ Birth certificates

If Remarried:

ï           ✓ All previous divorce documentation

ï           ✓ Current marriage documentation

Need More Specific Help?

Let me know:

ï           Your specific situation (type of divorce, when, etc.)

ï           What documentation you currently have

ï           Any particular concerns or complications

ï           Whether you're planning to remarry

I can provide more targeted guidance for your case.

Would you also like me to create a sample Get (Jewish divorce document) in SVG format similar to the ketubah?

Updated on: 01/02/2026