Misrad Hapnim — Issuing an Identity Card (Teudat Zehut) for New Immigrants

Source: Israeli Government Guide for New Immigrants · 2026-05

Issuing an Identity Card (Te’udat Zehut) The law requires every resident of Israel over the age of 16 to carry an identity card (Te’udat Zehut) at all times. It is necessary to present it when voting, as well as when requesting services from Government or public bodies, in order to receive various documents, and so forth. As mentioned above, when you arrive at the airport with a passport with a new-immigrant visa, it is possible that a Ministry of Aliyah and Integration employee (who is licensed by the Population and Immigration Authority( will issue a temporary identity card for you, which is valid for three months. During that period you must go to the Population and Immigration Authority in order to issue a permanent identity card. If for any reason a temporary identity card was not issued for you at the airport, you will receive a registration form for the Population and Immigration Authority. You must take this form to one of the offices of the Population and Immigration Authority so that they can issue a temporary identity card, and simultaneously begin the process of issuing a permanent identity card for you. As of today, only biometric cards are issued in Israel. It is obligatory to arrange an appointment in advance at the Population and Immigration Authority - you can do this online through the app or website of myVisit or via phone *3450. Documents you should bring with you in order to issue an identity card: • Passport • New immigrant certificate (Te’udat Oleh) • Temporary identity card, or registration form for the Population and Immigration Authority, whichever one you have received at the airport. • Birth certificates of all family members with an Apostille stamp. • Documents that testify to Jewish status in accordance with the law of return. • If necessary: Documentation of marital status (marriage certificate, authorization of divorce, death certificate of spouse etc.(. • Any other documents that can verify your situation and you believe are relevant. Please Note! Any change in details (address, family status, birth) requires the issuing of a new card-appendix (slip) (sefach), or a new card altogether. For your information, a new immigrant is eligible for a 40% discount on the fee for registration for marriage at the Religious Council (Moatza Datit) during the first two years after making aliyah.