Personal Status Affidavit for Aliyah - Detailed

Guide

Overview

The personal status affidavit is a critical document in your aliyah file that establishes your marital status according to both civil and Jewish law. This affects your rights, benefits, and legal status in Israel.

Why This Document Matters

Legal Implications:

ï           Determines your status in the Israeli Population Registry

ï           Affects eligibility for certain benefits (housing assistance, tax breaks)

ï           Establishes legal capacity to marry in Israel

ï           Required for issuing your Israeli ID card (Teudat Zehut)

ï           Can affect inheritance rights and spousal benefits

Religious Implications:

ï           Israel has no civil marriage - only religious ceremonies

ï           Your status must be clear for the Chief Rabbinate

ï           Prevents future complications with marriage registration

ï           Affects conversion processes if applicable

Detailed Requirements by Status

1.  SINGLE (Never Married)

Required Documents:

ï           **Personal Status Affidavit **stating:

◦           Full legal name

◦           Date of birth

◦           That you have never been married

◦           That you are free to marry according to Jewish law

Process:

ï           Obtain blank affidavit form from Israeli consulate/Jewish Agency

ï           Fill out completely and accurately

ï           Sign in presence of notary public

ï           Notary must witness your signature and stamp/seal document

ï           Some consulates may require you to swear the oath before a consular officer instead

**Cost: **$10-50 for notarization (varies by location)

2.  MARRIED

Required Documents:

A.  Marriage Certificate:

ï           Original or certified copy (not photocopy)

ï           Must show:

◦           Full names of both spouses

◦           Date of marriage

◦           Location of marriage

◦           Officiant's signature

◦           Official seal/stamp

B.  If married outside Israel:

ï           Certificate may need **apostille **(for Hague Convention countries) or **authentication **by Israeli consulate

ï           Translation to Hebrew by certified translator if not in Hebrew/English

ï           Some countries require additional authentication steps

C.  If married in a religious ceremony:

ï           Certificate from religious authority (rabbi, imam, priest, etc.)

ï           May need letter from officiating rabbi confirming marriage according to Jewish law

ï           Orthodox Jewish marriages generally accepted; Conservative/Reform may need additional documentation

D.  If spouse is also making aliyah:

ï           Both must provide all documents

ï           Spouse's Jewish status documentation

E.  If spouse is NOT making aliyah:

ï           Spouse's passport copy

ï           Explanation of why spouse isn't immigrating

ï           May need spouse's consent letter (notarized)

3.  DIVORCED

This is the most complex category Required Documents:

A.  For Civil Divorce:

ï           **Final divorce decree/judgment **(not just separation agreement)

ï           Must be final and absolute (not pending appeals)

ï           Original or certified court copy

ï           May need apostille/authentication

ï           Translation if not in Hebrew/English

B.  For Jewish Religious Divorce (Get):

ï           **This is critical **- Israel recognizes Jewish marriages as religious

ï           If married in Jewish ceremony, you need a **get **(Jewish bill of divorce)

ï           Get must be from Orthodox Beth Din (rabbinical court)

ï           Certificate proving get was delivered and accepted

ï           Some Conservative/Reform gets not recognized by Israeli Rabbinate

C. All Previous Marriage Documentation:

ï           Marriage certificate(s) from previous marriage(s)

ï           Divorce decree(s) from each previous marriage

ï           If widowed from previous marriage - death certificate

D.  Common Issues:

ï           **Civil divorce only **- May create problems if you want to remarry in Israel

ï           **No get **- Can be declared an "agunah" (chained woman) or unable to remarry Jewishly

ï           **Multiple divorces **- Need documentation for each

ï           **Lost documents **- Must obtain from issuing court/authority

**Important: **If you're Jewish, divorced civilly, but never received a get:

ï           You should address this BEFORE aliyah

ï           Contact local Orthodox rabbinical court

ï           Israeli Rabbinate may require get before allowing remarriage in Israel

ï           Some benefits/rights may be affected

4.  WIDOWED

Required Documents:

A.  Spouse's Death Certificate:

ï           Original or certified copy

ï           Must include:

◦           Full name of deceased

◦           Date of death

◦           Cause of death (generally)

◦           Official seal/stamp

ï           May need apostille/authentication

ï           Translation if not in Hebrew/English

B.  Marriage Certificate:

ï           Proof you were legally married to deceased

ï           Same requirements as married category above

C.  For Jewish Widow/Widower:

ï           May need proof from rabbinical authority

ï           If spouse died without children, may need **chalitzah **(levirate release) documentation

ï           Consult with rabbi about Jewish law requirements

The Notarization Process

What is Notarization?

A notary public is an official authorized to witness signatures and administer oaths. They verify:

ï           Your identity (bring government-issued photo ID)

ï           That you're signing voluntarily

ï           That you understand the document

Steps:

1.              Find a notary:

◦                    Banks often have notary services

◦                    UPS stores and postal services (in some countries)

◦                    Private notary offices

◦                    Some Israeli consulates have in-house notaries

2.              Bring documents:

◦                    Blank affidavit form

◦                    Government-issued photo ID (passport, driver's license)

◦                    Any supporting documents

3.              At appointment:

◦                    Notary verifies your identity

◦                    You swear/affirm the statement is true

◦                    Sign in notary's presence

◦                    Notary signs, stamps, and seals document

◦                    Date is recorded

**4.              Cost: **Usually $5-100 depending on location and number of documents

Apostille vs. Authentication

Apostille (for Hague Convention countries):

**What it is: **A certificate that authenticates the origin of a public document

Who needs it:

ï           Most Western countries are Hague Convention members

ï           US, Canada, UK, Australia, most EU countries, etc.

How to get:

ï           US: Through Secretary of State office in state where document was issued

ï           Other countries: Through designated authority (Foreign Ministry, Justice Department, etc.)

ï           Cost: $2-50 depending on jurisdiction

ï           Processing: 1-4 weeks typically

Process:

1.        Get document notarized
2.        Send to appropriate state/country authority
3.        They attach apostille certificate
4.        Document now valid in Israel

Authentication (for non-Hague countries):

**What it is: **Multi-step verification process

Process:

1.        Notarization
2.        Authentication by county/state authority
3.        Authentication by national government (State Dept, Foreign Ministry)
4.        Authentication by Israeli consulate
5.        May need verification by Israeli Ministry of Foreign Affairs

**Much longer process: **Can take months

Special Situations

1.  Same-Sex Relationships:

ï           Israel doesn't perform same-sex marriages

ï           BUT recognizes same-sex marriages performed abroad

ï           If married abroad, bring:

◦           Marriage certificate

◦           Apostille/authentication

◦           Translation to Hebrew

ï           You'll be registered as married in Israel

ï           Same benefits as opposite-sex couples

2.  Common-Law/De Facto Relationships:

ï           Not automatically recognized in Israel

ï           If living together long-term, may need:

◦           Affidavit of relationship

◦           Proof of cohabitation

◦           Legal advice on rights/status in Israel

ï           Consider getting legally married before aliyah if you want recognition

3.  Previous Marriage to Non-Jew:

ï           Provide all documentation

ï           If divorced: Get is not required (since spouse wasn't Jewish)

ï           But civil divorce absolutely required

ï           May need explanation letter

4.  Multiple Divorces:

ï           Document EVERY marriage and divorce

ï           Chain of evidence showing current status

ï           Can be complex - consult with aliyah shaliach (emissary)

5.  Name Changes:

ï           If name changed since marriage/divorce:

◦           Legal name change documents

◦           Court order for name change

◦           Updated passport showing new name

ï           Explain discrepancies in documentation

6.  Documents in Foreign Languages:

Languages generally accepted:

ï           Hebrew (obviously)

ï           English

ï           Russian

ï           French (sometimes)

ï           Spanish (sometimes)

Other languages need certified translation:

ï           Must be done by certified translator

ï           Translator must certify accuracy

ï           May need translator's credentials notarized

ï           Cost: $20-100 per page typically

7.  Lost or Destroyed Documents:

If you cannot obtain originals:

ï           **Marriage certificates: **Contact issuing authority (church, courthouse, registry office)

◦           Most keep permanent records

◦           Can issue certified copies

◦           May need to appear in person or submit formal request

ï           **Divorce decrees: **Contact courthouse where divorce was finalized

◦           Court records are permanent

◦           Can obtain certified copies

◦           Fees: $10-50 typically

ï           **Death certificates: **Contact vital records office in jurisdiction where death occurred

◦           State/provincial vital records office

◦           Fees: $10-40 typically

If truly impossible to obtain:

ï           Sworn affidavit explaining situation

ï           Any secondary evidence (newspaper announcements, witness statements)

ï           Legal consultation may be needed

ï           Israeli authorities may require additional investigation

Timeline and Planning

When to Start:

6-12 months before aliyah:

ï           Identify your status and required documents

ï           Order certified copies of certificates

ï           Schedule appointments with rabbis if get needed

3-6 months before:

ï           Get documents notarized

ï           Apply for apostilles/authentication

ï           Get translations done

ï           Submit to Jewish Agency/consulate

1-3 months before:

ï           Follow up on any missing documents

ï           Ensure everything is in aliyah file

ï           Get copies for your records

Processing Times:

ï           Notarization: Same day

ï           Apostille (US): 1-4 weeks

ï           Authentication (non-Hague): 2-6 months

ï           Translation: 1-2 weeks

ï           Get (if needed): Can take months to years if contested

Where to Get Help

Primary Contacts:

1.              Jewish Agency (Sochnut)

◦                    Free aliyah counseling

◦                    Provide forms and checklists

◦                    Guide through requirements

◦                    Local offices worldwide

2.              Israeli Consulate

◦                    Official source for requirements

◦                    Can provide forms

◦                    May handle notarization/authentication

◦                    Verify document acceptability

3.              **Nefesh B'Nefesh **(for North Americans/UK)

◦                    Free aliyah services

◦                    Step-by-step guidance

◦                    Staff answers questions

◦                    Streamlined process

◦                    Website: www.nbn.org.il

4.              Local Rabbi/Beth Din

◦                    For get or other religious issues

◦                    Can write letters confirming status

◦                    Orthodox rabbis for Israeli acceptance

Online Resources:

ï           Israeli Ministry of Interior website

ï           Misrad HaPnim (Interior Ministry) - forms and requirements

ï           Nefesh B'Nefesh comprehensive guides

ï           Jewish Agency country-specific pages

Common Mistakes to Avoid

1.        **Waiting until last minute **- Some documents take months to obtain

2.        **Assuming documents are acceptable **- Verify format with consulate first

3.        **Photocopies instead of certified copies **- Must be originals or certified

4.        **Ignoring religious requirements **- Civil divorce isn't enough for Jewish marriage

5.        **Not getting apostille **- Many people forget this crucial step

6.        **Self-translating **- Must use certified translator

7.        **Incomplete documentation **- Missing one document can delay entire process

8.        **Not keeping copies **- Always keep full set for yourself

9.        **Assuming consulate accepts all notaries **- Some require specific types

10.     **Not disclosing previous marriages **- This WILL surface later and cause problems

Costs Summary

Varies by country and complexity

Red Flags That Need Immediate Attention

 You're divorced civilly but never got a get

ï           Address this NOW with Orthodox Beth Din

ï           Essential for remarrying in Israel

 Your documents are in a language Israel doesn't commonly handle

ï           Start translation process immediately

ï           May need additional certification

 You can't locate divorce decree

ï           Contact courthouse immediately

ï           Can take months to obtain

 You were married in a non-Jewish ceremony but are Jewish

ï           May need rabbinical consultation

ï           Status could be questioned

 Your spouse isn't making aliyah

ï           May need additional documentation

ï           Could affect benefits

Final Tips

 **Start early **- Cannot emphasize this enough

 **Make copies **- Of everything, multiple times

 **Organize **- Keep all documents in one folder/file

 **Follow up **- Don't assume documents are received/processed **Ask questions **- Your aliyah shaliach (emissary) is there to help **Be honest **- Hiding information causes bigger problems later **Keep digital copies **- Scan everything before sending

 **Track apostille applications **- Use certified mail with tracking

 **Budget **- Set aside $200-800 for documentation costs

 **Check requirements twice **- Rules can change; verify before starting

Would you like me to provide specific guidance for your particular situation, or do you have questions about any of these details?

Updated on: 01/02/2026