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Israeli Rabbinate (Rabbanut) — Registering for Marriage in Israel

Source: https://www.nbn.org.il/life-in-israel/government-services/registering-for-marriage · 2026

Note: This article explains how to register for marriage with the Israeli Rabbanut (Rabbinate). It does not apply to those looking to register a marriage that was performed outside of Israel.

Pre-Wedding: Opening a Marriage File (Tik Nissuin)

How to register: Open a marriage file (tik nissuin) at your local religious council anytime between 90 and 21 days before the wedding. If you previously opened a marriage file with another partner, you must first cancel the earlier file at the religious council where it was opened before opening a new file.

For a complete listing of local religious councils: https://www.gov.il/he/departments/topics/marrige/govil-landing-page

The bride and groom will be referred to separate instructors on the laws of family purity (taharat hamishpacha) for classes prior to the wedding. If the bride and groom already have instructors, the teachers will need to provide a letter verifying that the course was completed.

Documents Required (What to Bring)

  1. Teudat Zehut (tourists must present a valid foreign passport)
  2. Three identical passport photos for each the bride and groom
  3. Birth Certificate (requested at some branches)
  4. Proof of Judaism - letter from a recognized Rabbi abroad stating that you are Jewish and born to a Jewish mother, and that you are single. If you are a convert, bring official conversion papers and an accompanying letter from your rabbi (if converted abroad).
  5. Parents’ Ketubot
  6. Divorce Certificate (if applicable)
  7. Death Certificate of spouse (if applicable)
  8. Witnesses (Edim) - Two people who will testify they know the bride/groom as single. Witnesses cannot be immediate relatives. If you reside outside the jurisdiction of the local religious council, you will need a Teudat Ravakut from your local religious council.
  9. Copy of the Kashrut Certificate (Teudat Kashrut) of the wedding hall

Note: Even if you do not bring all documents at registration, you may still open the file, provided you present the remaining documents before the wedding.

Fee

Standard registration fee: 709 NIS

40% discount is granted if either the bride or groom is:

  1. An Oleh Chadash getting married within the first two years of Aliyah
  2. Serving in the army or national service
  3. Has special needs as recognized by the Department of Social Services
  4. Currently studying in university
  5. Currently studying in yeshiva

What You Receive

  1. Marriage file number
  2. Ketubah
  3. A Rabbi assigned to perform the wedding ceremonies (if desired). If you have your own Rabbi, ensure he is certified by the local religious council.

Mikveh

The religious council requires that women immerse themselves in a Mikveh (ritual bath) as the culmination of their studies of the family purity laws. You will receive a notice from the religious council that must be signed following your immersion on the eve of the wedding. The officiating rabbi will ask for the signed notice prior to the ceremony.

For a list of Mikvaot: https://www.gov.il/he/departments/topics/mikve/govil-landing-page

Post-Wedding

Ketubah Submission

Either the couple or the Rabbi who performed the ceremony must provide the religious council with a copy of the ketubah within three days following the wedding.

Marriage Certificate

The marriage certificate will be ready two weeks after the wedding and can be picked up from the local religious council.

Updating Marital Status at Misrad Hapnim

Visit (or send via certified mail) your local branch of Misrad Hapnim. This service is free of charge.

What to bring:

  1. Teudat Zehut (yours and your spouse’s)
  2. Israeli passport
  3. Marriage certificate from the Israeli Rabbanut
  4. Two identical passport photos (if you wish to change your last name/surname)
  5. Teudat Zehut Request Form
  6. Name Change Request Form (if applicable)

What you receive:

  1. Updated Sefach for you and your spouse
  2. New Teudat Zehut (if name change requested)
  3. A stamp in your Israeli passport documenting the name change
  4. A certificate documenting your name change (if applicable)

Updating Marital Status at Misrad Haklita

Visit your local branch of Misrad Haklita.

What to bring:

  1. Updated Teudat Zehut (yours and your spouse’s) with Sefachs (paper addendums)
  2. Teudat Oleh (for both spouses if relevant)
  3. Joint bank details (if both spouses are Olim or your spouse is a Returning Resident)

What you receive:

  1. If both spouses are Olim, your Teudot Oleh will be replaced with one joint Teudat Oleh.
  2. If you are married to an Israeli, your Teudat Oleh will be stamped as such, and your spouse’s info will be added to your Teudat Oleh.

Note: If both spouses are Olim, it is best to go to Misrad Haklita together.