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October 24, 2026

Civil Marriage in Israel: The Complete Guide

Civil marriage in Israel does not take place inside the country, because Israel has no civil wedding ceremony. What you can do is marry in a civil ceremony abroad, and then register as married with the Interior Ministry. This guide walks you through every step, from documents before you travel to registration, with links to the official sources.

I am a rabbi and an attorney. This is general information, not legal advice.

What does the law say about civil marriage in Israel?

Marriage of Jews in Israel is in the hands of the rabbinical courts. Section 1 of the Rabbinical Courts Jurisdiction (Marriage and Divorce) Law, 5713-1953, gives the rabbinical courts exclusive jurisdiction over marriage and divorce of Jews who are citizens or residents of Israel. Section 2 says that marriages and divorces of Jews shall be conducted in Israel according to Torah law. Source (in Hebrew): the law on Nevo.

So couples who want a civil marriage marry outside Israel. Inside Israel there is only one civil track, the civil union, and it is only for couples registered as having no religion. More on that below.

The ways to a civil marriage in Israel

Civil marriage abroad. You travel to another country and marry under its law. For an example, see Jewish wedding in Italy.
Online marriage. In recent years many couples have married under the law of the State of Utah by video conference. Their registration status is covered below, in the part on the Bril ruling.

I also cover the options on the page about Utah online or Cyprus civil marriage.

Step 1: a document on your personal status, before you travel

Countries where you marry usually ask for a document showing you are free to marry. Check in advance exactly what your chosen country requires. In Israel you can get a registry extract from the Population Registry, regular or extended. Source (in Hebrew): gov.il: registry extract. Which document fits, and in which language, is explained in certificate of no impediment in Israel.

Step 2: the ceremony, and a chuppah if you want one

First, the civil ceremony takes place abroad under local law. However, many couples also want a Jewish moment under the chuppah. You can have a chuppah with a Reform or liberal rabbi, in Israel or abroad, before or after the civil marriage. Read more about a Reform rabbi wedding in Israel. Keep in mind that this chuppah is not recognized by the Rabbinate or the State. For registration, what counts is the civil marriage certificate.

Step 3: apostille and translation

According to gov.il, an apostille is a certificate from a competent authority of a country, confirming that a public document is official and original. Source (in Hebrew): gov.il: apostille. According to the Population and Immigration Authority, a marriage certificate from abroad must be original, authenticated and translated into Hebrew by a notary. Certificates in Arabic do not need translation. If the country is not a party to the Hague Convention, contact the Israeli mission there for instructions. You can check the member countries on the Hague Conference website. More in apostille for a marriage certificate.

Step 4: registration with the Interior Ministry

Registration is the most important step of a civil marriage in Israel. Section 17 of the Population Registry Law, 5725-1965, requires a resident to notify a registration officer of a change in their registration details within thirty days. Under section 19C, the change is registered on the basis of that notice together with a public document attesting to it. Source (in Hebrew): the law on Nevo.

According to the service page, if your marriage certificate was issued abroad, both spouses must apply together at an Authority office or at an Israeli mission abroad. You bring your IDs and the original marriage certificate, authenticated and translated. Source: gov.il: change of personal status. Every step is explained in how to register your marriage in Israel.

Step 5: your surname

According to the Population and Immigration Authority, a person who marries can choose a surname in one of several ways:

Keep your previous surname.
Take your spouse’s surname.
Take your spouse’s surname and add your previous one.
Add your spouse’s surname to your own.
Choose a new shared surname.
Add a new shared surname to each spouse’s existing one.

You must apply in person. Source (in Hebrew): gov.il: choosing a surname. More in changing your name after marriage in Israel.

When one partner is a foreign citizen

According to gov.il, an Israeli citizen or permanent resident can apply for status for a foreign partner, in a staged procedure. The application is made online, on the basis of marriage or of a shared life. Source (in Hebrew): gov.il: status for a foreign partner. More in options for a foreign partner.

Prenuptial agreement

Under section 2 of the Spouses (Property Relations) Law, 5733-1973, a property agreement needs approval from the Family Court or the religious court. An agreement made before the marriage can also be certified by a notary. Source (in Hebrew): the law on Nevo. Why it matters especially outside the Rabbinate is explained in prenuptial agreement in Israel.

Registration is not a ruling on validity

In AAA 7368/22 Ministry of Interior v. Bril, of 7 March 2023, the Supreme Court held that couples who presented a valid Utah marriage certificate must be registered as married. The court repeated the long standing rule that separates registration of a marriage from the question of its validity. It also stressed that the ruling is limited to registration and takes no position on validity. Source (in Hebrew): summary of the ruling on the Judiciary website. I write about registration and recognition on the page about recognition of civil marriage in Israel.

Do not want to travel? There are other options

The civil union for people without religion. Under the law, both partners must be registered as having no religion, be at least 18 and be residents of Israel. Source (in Hebrew): the law on Nevo. More in the civil union in Israel.
Common law partners. According to National Insurance, they are treated there as a married couple, for both duties and rights. Source (in Hebrew): National Insurance website. More in common law marriage in Israel.

For an overview of every option, including a Jewish chuppah, see wedding without the Rabbinate in Israel.

Frequently Asked Questions

Can you have a civil marriage in Israel itself?

No. There is no civil wedding ceremony inside Israel. The only civil track in the country is the civil union, and it is only for people without religion.

Do both spouses need to come to register?

According to the service page, yes, when the certificate was issued abroad. You both need to go to an office or to an Israeli mission abroad.

How soon must you report the marriage?

Section 17 of the Population Registry Law speaks of notice within thirty days of the change.

Does a chuppah with the rabbi replace the civil marriage?

No. The chuppah is not recognized by the Rabbinate or the State. It adds the Jewish moment, and registration is based on the civil marriage certificate.

Official sources used in this guide

General information, not legal advice. Also, official pages change from time to time, so check their current version before you apply.

Having a civil marriage and want a Jewish chuppah too? I would love to hear from you and schedule an introductory call.