When submitting an application to register a child under the age of 18 (without submitting an additional application, such as for a passport), there is no need for the child to be present.
Israelis wishing to register their children who were born abroad.
The application must be submitted in person at an Israeli mission in the country where you are staying.
It is advisable first to send the required forms and documents to the mission by email, for a preliminary examination prior to your arrival at the mission.
Please note
- Original birth certificate, authenticated as required, and translated. Authentication of the certificate must be done in one of the following ways:
- By an apostille stamp – if the certificate was issued by a government agency or another official body in a country that is a signatory to the Apostille Convention.
- If the certificate was issued in a non-signatory country, it should be authenticated by a consular representative. For instructions on how to authenticate the certificate, contact an Israeli mission in the country where the certificate was issued.
- Parents wishing to register a child, who declare that the mother is an Israeli citizen, must provide, in addition to the birth certificate, proof that the mother registered in the birth certificate gave birth to the child.*
- Parents wishing to register a child, who declare that the father is an Israeli citizen, must provide, in addition to the birth certificate, proof that the mother registered in the birth certificate gave birth to the child,* as well as evidence of a relationship between the purported father and the mother before she became pregnant.
* That is, confirmation of birth from the obstetrics department of the hospital where the child was born.
- In the absence of sufficient evidence, the parents may be required to present an order of a competent court in Israel that establishes paternity or maternity, as relevant.
To visit the mission, it is necessary schedule an appointment in advance.
Before coming to the mission, make sure you have with you all the required documents and completed forms.
No fee is charged for the service.
Information
Additional Required Documents:
- Passports must be an up-to-date Israeli passport of the parents, or in the absence of Israeli citizenship an up-to-date foreign passport.
- The child's birth certificate (extended version), original and authenticated with an apostille stamp. Do not detach the apostille from the birth certificate - a separated certificate is not valid.
- Two (2) proofs of childbirth from the following list:
- Hospital discharge form signed by a doctor or a nurse.
- Doctor’s discharge form signed by the doctor who delivered the child.
- Ultrasound scan from the third trimester of the pregnancy indicating the mother's name and the date on which it was taken.
- Newborn identification card with the applicant's fingerprints or footprints, that includes the mother's and the applicant's information.
General Information
- The marital status of the Israeli parent must be updated in the population registry before a child can be registered. If an update of a parent's marital status is necessary, they must apply for a marital status update prior to registering a child. (For information on how to update your marital status, visit the service page).
- If both parents are Israeli citizens and are not married to each other, the parents must add an additional declaration to the required documentation.(To download the declaration, click here).
- If one parent is Israeli, the other is not, and the parents are not married (i.e. or are not registered as married in the Israeli Ministry of Interior/the Israeli citizens registry), the couple must add additional documents as proof that they share a life and that this has been the situation at least 300 days prior to the birth of the applicant. A list of optional documents can be found at the bottom of this page.
- Applicants 16.4 years-old and older must add an additional form concerning their military status. (For further information regarding military status and the form, visit the military page).
- The minor and both his parent must all be present at the appointment.
- An adult (person over 18’years of age) coming to be registered as an Israeli citizen must present themself at their appointment together with their Israeli parent(s). i.e. a parent who is not an Israeli citizen is not obliged to appear.
Documentation that may be submitted as Proof of a Shared Life
Proofs of shared life are required in cases where the parents have not updated their marriage within 300 days before registering the birth at the consulate or in cases where the parents are not married.
Please note, a marriage certificate is not considered proof of shared life.
Documents to prove shared life include:
- Contract for a jointly rented or purchased residence, including the names of the couple.
- Shared accounts: bank account, internet payments, phone, other accounts, tax payments - including the names of the couple.
- Shared insurance policies: life insurance, home insurance, and any other insurance that includes the names of the couple together.
- Legal partnership agreement (some states recognize legal partnerships for couples; in Israel, family court acknowledges couples as 'publicly known').
These options for proving the shared life of the parents are considered 'strong' evidences.
Additional proofs for shared life may include:
- Shared photos with a timestamp (available on mobile devices and digital cameras).
- Transferring funds between two bank accounts (if the partners have separate bank accounts).
- Joint membership to cultural institutions (such as a theater, for example) and sports facilities (gyms).
- Notarized affidavits from Israelis - testimonies regarding familiarity with the couple jointly (the affidavit must be a notarized document; include a photocopy of ID and contact details for each recommender).
- Evidence for joint flights - boarding passes, flight ticket reservations.
- Joint reservations for hotels, vacation websites, Airbnb.
- Purchase invoices for products, including the names of the couple.
- Any other document that may be required, based on the consul's decision.
Options from the first list are considered 'strong' evidence.
- If there are two 'strong' pieces of evidence, add at least two additional pieces of evidence from the second list.
- If there is only one 'strong' evidence, add at least four additional pieces of evidence from the second list.
- If there are no 'strong' evidence, present at least five pieces of evidence from the remaining options.
- Additional evidence not mentioned above can be included, and examined by the consular officer.
Our address is:
24 E Greenway Plaza, Houston, Texas 77046
Security instructions for people who wish to obtain consular services:
1. Arrive on the 3rd floor where the lobby is situated and inform security personnel that you have an appointment.
2. You will undergo a security screening, please cooperate fully with security protocols, which include a thorough inspection of your person and belongings.
3. Show a Photo ID.
4. Restricted Items such as bags, handbags, suitcases, food, beverage bottles, and containers are strictly prohibited inside the Consulate.
5. Mobile Phones are allowed inside but must be kept accessible for inspection during security screening.
Unauthorized visits are not permitted.