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PLEASE NOTE:

This information sheet has been prepared for use only as a general guide by American citizens contemplating marriage in Israel. It is not meant to be an exhaustive study and there may be situations not covered here. Therefore, in order to avoid possible inconvenience or embarrassment, you are advised to contact immediately the appropriate marriage officer of your religious community and to be guided by his instructions.

CIVIL MARRIAGE:

There is no Israeli authority empowered to perform civil marriages. The only civil marriage permitted is one performed by consuls of certain foreign countries, provided one of the partners to the marriage is a citizen of the country represented by the consul. American consular officers are prohibited from performing marriages. 

The authorities of the religious community to which the bride and groom belong perform all other marriages in Israel.

MIXED MARRIAGES:

With the exception of consular marriages, a marriage between a Jew and non-Jew may not be performed in Israel. Either the non-Jewish partner must convert to Judaism or the Jewish partner must convert to the religion of the other.

Whether two persons of different non-Jewish religious communities may marry depends on the religious laws of the religious communities involved.

MARRIAGE BETWEEN JEWS:

Jews wishing to be married in a religious marriage in Israel must apply to the Office of the Chief Rabbi of the district wherein they plan to be married. Each must present a Certificate of Bachelorhood from a local Rabbi in Israel, issued by the Rabbi of his home synagogue. A foreigner may obtain the Certificate of Bachelorhood from a local Rabbi in Israel, provided he presents two persons from his home religious community who are able to declare that he is single.

A widow whose husband died childless must have received "CHALITZA" (release) from her brother-in-law, if living, in order to receive a Certificate of Bachelorhood.

A divorced person must be able to show that he/she has been divorced religiously in order to receive a Certificate of Bachelorhood.

A member of the House of Cohen may not marry a divorced woman in Israel.

There is a fourteen-day waiting period after the date of application to the Chief Rabbinate before the ceremony may be performed.

The married couple should present the marriage certificate issued by the Rabbi performing the marriage to the Office of the District Commissioner, Ministry of Interior, so that it may be recorded and counter-signed.

MARRIAGE BETWEEN EASTERN ORTHODOX, ROMAN CATHOLICS, GREGORIAN ARMENIANS, ARMENIAN CATHOLICS, SYRIAN CATHOLICS, CHALDEAN UNIATES, GREEK CATHOLICS, MARONITES AND SYRIAN ORTHODOX:

Members of these communities should apply to their pastor and follow the laws and regulations of the particular community involved.

The married couple should present the marriage certificate issued by the Priest performing the marriage to the Office of the District Commissioner, Ministry of Interior, so that it may be recorded and counter-signed.

MARRIAGE BETWEEN PROTESTANTS:

Only the religious communities mentioned above have de jure status in Israel. Other groups, including Protestant churches, have only de facto recognition; and in the absence of specific legislation on the subject, marriage between Protestants is arranged on ad hoc and individual basis.

The minister who plans to perform the ceremony writes to the Ministry for Religious Affairs, setting forth the names of the persons to be married, their nationality, and their religious affiliation. He requests the Ministry's permission to perform the marriage and to issue a marriage certificate. Protestants planning to be married in Israel should allow from two to four weeks to complete the formalities required before the marriage can take place.

DIVORCE:

There is no civil divorce in Israel. Rabbinical Courts have exclusive jurisdiction when both parties are Jews and are either citizens or residents of Israel. Christians who are not Israeli citizens and those others for whom there is no official ecclesiastical court may apply to the Supreme Court for dissolution of their marriage by an especially composed court.