How To: Birth & Death Certificates in Israel
By Garri Regev On October 16, 2014
Israel Genealogy Research Association (IGRA)
"Smaller communities may have some records but the official path for obtaining Birth or Death Certificates in Israel is through the Ministry of Interior. The process is not simple and there are specific requirements – and it may not be possible for everyone. You can now access all the information that it is necessary for you to have before beginning the process.....How to Request Official Documents from the Ministry of Interior of the State of Israel
- "According to the privacy laws in Israel, many documents are closed to the general public for 70 years. In addition, only first degree relatives can receive the information. In some instances various offices extend this period up to 100 years.
Birth Certificates
Only the person himself or a first-degree relative can get a birth certificate. If otherwise, an explanation is required, possibly a legal document stating why one needs this information and feels he/she is entitled to it. The request requires the identification number of the person for which one is looking. The official procedure to follow is available in Hebrew. You can ask for a birth certificate in Hebrew or English or both. If the request is for someone born before 1955, it is important to include the place of residence of the parents at the time of the birth.
Birth certificates for the later Mandate period (1930’s & 1940’s) may be available through the Ministry of Interior. At a local level, some of the towns and settlements have ledgers where the births were recorded.
Official website of the Ministry of Interior dealing with birth certificates for those born in Israel. Internet request for birth certificate (Hebrew) Request form by mail or fax (Hebrew)
Death Certificates
Only first-degree relatives may request a death certificate. If otherwise, an explanation is required possibly a legal document stating why one needs this information and feels he/she is entitled to it. This request has to be handed in personally. The official website of the Ministry of Interior deals with death certificates for persons who died in Israel. The following information is required:
Identity number of the deceased Details of the deceased as they were recorded at the time of death: given name, surname, father’s name, mother’s name, date of birth, Hebrew date of birth, status (married, single, widow, divorced), nationality, date of death, place of death Do you request the cause of death Request form filled out as required If the request is for someone who died before 1955, it is important to include the place of residence of the deceased at the time of death.
Internet request for a death certificate (Hebrew) Request form that can be downloaded (Hebrew) If you do not have the required information or are not a first degree relative, you can apply to receive the last known address of the person which may yield the date of death.
Application to Obtain Information from the Population Registry (locating an address, clarifying a name) (Hebrew) Table of Fees for Consular Services outside of Israel Table of Fees for freedom of information in Israel (Hebrew)