Change of Status - Aliyah Within Israel
The Step-by-Step process through Misrad HaPnim
People with special status (i.e. Katin Chozer or Ezrach Oleh), as well as potential Olim who have undergone a private conversion to Judaism (in Israel or abroad) and want to make aliyah while in Israel, must do so through the Misrad HaPnim.
Note: If you are a regular Oleh Chadash you can choose to change your status either through the Jewish Agency or Misrad HaPnim.
Book an Appointment
Go in person to the Misrad HaPnim branch in your city with your valid passport and schedule an appointment at the Aliyah department.
Please note that some branches in smaller cities do not offer this service and will direct you to an office in a bigger city nearby.
Required Documents
- Passport: Make sure your passport is valid for at least one more year.
- Photo: Two printed photos (3 x 4 inches) that only include your face on a white background.
- Entry Visa: You need your entry visa to Israel and a renewal (if relevant).
- Birth Certificate with Apostille: This document must be original and cannot be replaced by a marriage certificate or other proof of identity. You can find more information on the Apostille here.
- Name Change Certificate: If you changed your name legally, you will also need a certificate of change of name with Apostille.
- Background Check with Apostille: You need an official criminal background check or a Certificate of Good Conduct issued by the government:
a) of the country where you were born
b) of every country where you resided for more than six months above the age of 14
c) of any country whose citizenship you currently hold even if you never lived there.
Each country has its own procedure regarding the issue of such a certificate. You can find more information here.
- Civil Status Certificate with Apostille:
Civil Status Document
The state of Israel only recognizes four civil statuses: single, married, divorced or widowed. Please contact us if you need clarification regarding any other status.
Singles – Single Certificate
If you are single you must present a Single Certificate with an apostille, both issued by the official body for this in your country. If your country does not issue this type of declaration, you must make a sworn statement before a notary and apostille the document. Contact us to view a sample statement.
Married – Marriage Certificate
You need to present the original Marriage Certificate issued by the government of the country where you got married with an Apostille. This document is not replaceable by a Ketubah – כתובה – Jewish marriage certificate.
If you have been married more than once, you will need to present the marriage, divorce or death certificate(s) of your spouse(s) from previous marriages.
Olim who make aliyah after September 30, 2024 must present a marriage certificate stating their status prior to marriage (whether single, divorced or widowed). If the document in your country does not contain this information, you will need to make a sworn statement before a notary and apostille the document. Contact us to view a sample statement.
Divorced or Widowed
If you are divorced or widowed, you must present a marriage certificate (it does not need to be apostilled) and their spouse’s divorce or death certificate, which does need to be apostilled.
Please note: None of the civil documents can be replaced by religious ones!
- Notarized Translations: In addition to the apostille seal, all civil documents other than the passport (i.e. Birth, Marriage, Death and Criminal Record Certificates) must be translated into Hebrew by an Israeli notary, unless written in a language that the clerk can read and understand. Ensure that you receive a written waiver from the clerk before translating any documents.
Note: The Misrad HaPnim clerk is authorized to request or waive additional documents.
- Misrad HaPnim Forms: Each Oleh must submit their own forms filled out in Hebrew (unless requested in Hebrew and English).
All of them must remain unsigned until the interview.Please contact us if you need help filling them out.
Documents Submission and Interview
For the interview, make sure to bring all the original documents mentioned above (with their respective apostilles and notarized translations) and the unsigned forms.
Tip: It is recommended to have copies of all documents on hand to facilitate the process.
Aliyah Approval and ID
After having the interview, you will either proceed to receive your biometric Teudat Zehut ID card, or Teudat Zehut number and instructions on how to receive the actual card.
The Step-by-step process through the Jewish Agency
The Shinui Status procedure, if done through the Jewish Agency, eliminates the requirement for candidates to provide officially translated documents by an Israeli notary. Thus, if you are eligible it is advisable to go through the process this way.
Eligibility
In order to qualify to apply through the Jewish Agency, the Oleh must meet the following criteria:
- This process applies only to those becoming Olim Chadashim. If you have a special status (e.g. Ezrach Oleh or Katin Chozer), you can only change your status via Misrad HaPnim.
- If you are a convert, only a conversion by the Israeli Rabbanut in Israel enables you to apply via the Jewish Agency.
Opening the Shinui Status File
Call the Jewish Agency’s Global Aliyah Center at 1800-228055 (from Israel) and open your file. You will then receive by email the list of documents and forms needed to start your Aliyah process as noted below.
Note: Save the email address and the name of the person in charge of your file at the Global Aliyah Center
Required Documents
- Passport: Make sure your passport is valid for at least one more year.
- Photo: Two printed photos (3 x 4 inches) that only include your face on a white background.
- Entry Visa: You need your entry visa to Israel and a renewal (if relevant).
- Birth Certificate with Apostille: This document must be original and cannot be replaced by a marriage certificate or other proof of identity. You can find more information on the Apostille here.
- Name Change Certificate: If you changed your name legally, you will also need a certificate of change of name with Apostille.
- Background Check with Apostille: You need an official criminal background check or a Certificate of Good Conduct issued by the government:
a) of the country where you were born
b) of every country where you resided for more than six months above the age of 14
c) of any country whose citizenship you currently hold even if you never lived there.
Each country has its own procedure regarding the issue of such a certificate. You can find more information here.
- Civil Status Certificate with Apostille: You need an officially apostilled certificate declaring your personal status.
a) For married individuals, a marriage certificate with apostille is sufficient.
b) Divorced individuals must present both marriage and divorce certificates, with the latter apostilled.
c) Widows/widowers must present both marriage and spouse’s death certificates, with the latter apostilled.
d) Single individuals must present an apostilled certificate of single status. If the Oleh’s country of origin does not provide this document, a sworn statement made before an Israeli notary is required.
Both documents need to have been issued within the last six months before submission.
More details on the apostille can be found here.
- Notarized Translations: There is no need to provide any notarized translations unless specifically requested by the Jewish Agency’s clerk.
Note: The Misrad HaPnim clerk is authorized to request or waive additional documents.
- Forms from Misrad HaPnim: Each Oleh must submit their own forms filled out in Hebrew (unless specified in Hebrew and English). All of them should remain unsigned until the interview.
Documents Submission
Send all the above-mentioned documents (and any additional ones requested by the clerk) to the Jewish Agency’s Global Center to the email address from which you received the list of documents.
Make sure that documents are legible and in PDF format.
In addition to the required documents, you need to provide the Global Aliyah Center with the information below via email or phone call:
- The full name and birth dates of your parents
- Your complete current address and phone number
Interview
The Jewish Agency will send an interview request to Misrad HaPnim on your behalf. The interview will be done by a representative of Misrad HaPnim in Hebrew.
Note: You must bring all original documents to the interview!
Tip: Call the Global Aliyah Center to confirm your appointment a day before your interview.
Aliyah Approval and ID
After having the interview, you will either proceed to receive your biometric Teudat Zehut ID card, or the Jewish Agency will make another appointment for you.