In Israel, the office of the Notary in israel is one of the most trusted and highly regulated legal roles. A notary’s signature is not a mere technical act — it is an official seal of the State of Israel that grants full legal validity to a document both in Israel and abroad.
For individuals engaged in international activities — businesspeople, property owners abroad, investors, applicants for foreign citizenship, and clients from higher socio-economic sectors — notarial services are an essential component in managing cross-border legal matters.
The statutory framework governing the role and authority of Israeli notaries is set out in the Notaries Law, 1976, and the Notaries Regulations. These laws define who may be appointed as a notary, the scope of a notary’s powers, and the strict standards by which those powers must be exercised.
Who May Serve as a Notary Public? – The Legal Requirements
To serve as a Notary Public in Israel, an individual must:
Be an attorney with at least ten years of professional experience
Be an Israeli citizen or permanent resident
Have no disciplinary history that undermines integrity
Successfully complete the Ministry of Justice certification process
This rigorous path ensures that only highly experienced legal professionals with independent judgment and proven integrity are authorized to exercise the state’s notarial powers.
Statutory Powers of a Notary — Section 7 of the Notaries Law
Section 7 enumerates the exclusive powers vested in notaries. These include:
- Authentication of Signatures – Section 7(1)
The notary certifies that a person signed a document voluntarily and in their presence.
- Certification of True Copies – Section 7(3)
Official confirmation that a copy of a document is identical to the original.
- Taking Affidavits – Section 7(5)
Notarial affidavits carry heightened evidentiary weight, exceeding that of regular affidavits.
- Certification of Life – Section 7(6)
Commonly required for international pension institutions or foreign governmental authorities.
- Pre-marital Financial Agreements – Section 7(11)
Only a notary or a judge may approve a prenuptial financial agreement executed before marriage.
- Preparing Documents for International Use – Section 7(9)
A foundation for foreign real-estate transactions, opening bank accounts abroad, issuing powers of attorney for foreign jurisdictions, and more.
- Noting Negotiable Instruments – Section 7(8)
Including endorsements and certifications involving checks, promissory notes, and other financial instruments.
Notarial Translations — One of the Most Significant Notarial Powers
Under Section 7(4), a notary is empowered to certify the accuracy of a translation.
This service is indispensable for anyone required to submit documents in a foreign country. Administrative authorities, courts, universities, immigration services, and registries do not accept ordinary translations — only a translation certified by a Notary Public carries binding legal effect.
Legal Requirements for Certifying a Notarial Translation — Section 15
The law imposes strict statutory conditions to ensure precision and reliability:
✔ Full command of both languages
The notary must be proficient in both the source language and the target language.
If not — the notary is prohibited from certifying the translation.
✔ Personal examination of the translation
The notary must personally verify that the translation is accurate and complete.
✔ Use of an external translator
If the notary does not master one of the languages, they may only
certify a translator’s affidavit, not a full notarial translation.
✔ Full legal responsibility
Even when assisted by a translator, the notary bears full professional responsibility for the certification.
Who Requires Notarial Translations?
This service is especially common among high-net-worth and globally active clients:
Real-estate investors abroad
Owners of foreign assets
Students pursuing international degrees
Applicants for foreign citizenship (Germany, Portugal, Poland, U.S., etc.)
International corporations
Foreign directors and legal counsel
International probate and inheritance proceedings
For these groups, a notarial translation is not “just another document” —
it is a critical legal requirement for completing transactions, submitting applications, opening bank accounts, and conducting legal processes worldwide.
Legal Evidentiary Status of Notarial Documents — Section 19
Section 19 provides that:
A notarial certificate constitutes sufficient evidence in court without the need for further proof.
In other words, a notary’s signature enjoys exceptionally high evidentiary weight.
Notarial Fees — Uniform and Mandated by Law
Notarial fees in Israel are strictly fixed by the Notaries Regulations (Service Fees), 1978.
Notaries may not negotiate, discount, or exceed the prescribed tariff.
Official Translation Certification Fees for 2025:
Up to 100 words: ₪266
Each additional 100 words up to 1,000: ₪218
Each additional 100 words above 1,000: ₪109
Each additional certified copy: ₪84
The tariff is uniform and applies to all notaries in Israel without exception.
Apostille Certification and Its Connection to Notarial Translations
An Apostille is an international authentication issued under the Hague Convention (1961).
It verifies the signature and authority of a Notary Public or other public official.
In Israel, Apostilles are issued by two authorities:
- Ministry of Foreign Affairs — for public documents
Examples: birth, marriage, and death certificates, population registry extracts.
- Courts of Israel — for notarial documents
Every notarial translation intended for use abroad requires an Apostille.
The Apostille does not confirm the content of the document,
but rather confirms that the notary is duly authorized and that the signature is authentic.
Without Apostille certification, a notarial translation is not valid in most foreign jurisdictions — particularly in immigration, citizenship, investment, corporate filings, and international litigation.
Conclusion
The role of the Notary Public — especially in the realm of notarial translations — is to grant documents legal validity, credibility, and global recognition.
For individuals operating in a cross-border environment, managing foreign assets, or handling international legal proceedings, high-quality notarial services are not a luxury but an essential legal requirement.
Accurate notarial translations, full compliance with statutory requirements, and obtaining the required Apostille certification ensure that your documents are accepted without challenge or delay by authorities worldwide.
This article was written in cooperation with Notary Public Rachel Schachar