Updated 24.09.2026 · Double apostille
Apostille on the original and on the notarised translation: the order in Israel
Alla Flat · Notary #224143 · Bar #49324 · advocate since 2008
When an office abroad asks for "an apostille and a translation" of an Israeli document, two different apostilles are often needed: one on the state-issued original, the other on the notarised translation. Below: the order in which this is done, and when one step is enough. Before any paid work I look at your document and at the wording of the receiving office’s requirement. If a double apostille is not needed, I will tell you straight away. There is no prepayment: I quote government fees and my fee separately. The notarial part is charged at the official tariff (ק"ת 12158).
01 / 11 · What it is
What a "double apostille" means, in plain words
In Israel two different authorities issue apostilles, and one cannot replace the other.
- The MFA apostilles an original issued by an Israeli state authority (a certificate, a statement, an extract and so on).
- The Magistrate Court apostilles a notary’s signature: on a notarised translation, a certified copy, a power of attorney or another notarial act.
A "double apostille" is when the office abroad needs both the apostilled original and the apostilled notarised translation. It is not a separate kind of stamp and not "two identical apostilles in a row", but two steps linked in the right order. The same chain is also searched for as a "dual apostille", meaning the same order.
02 / 11 · One apostille
When one apostille is enough
A double apostille is not always needed. First we read the requirement of the bank, university, registry, court or consulate.
- Only the Hebrew original + an MFA apostille, if the office accepts the document without a translation.
- Only a notarised translation / notarial certification + a court apostille, if the original has already been accepted another way or the matter is a notarial act.
- An electronic apostille through gov.il, if the document is on the gov.il list of digital documents and the receiving office accepts a PDF with an electronic signature.
Important: an Israeli apostille is not placed on a foreign document. A foreign document is apostilled (or legalised) in the country that issued it.
Which authority apostilles your type of document: see Apostille in Israel.
03 / 11 · Order
The right order
- Check the receiving office’s requirement. Language (Hebrew / Russian / English / other), paper or electronic file, whether the text of the apostille itself must be translated, whether one apostille is enough.
- MFA apostille on the original from the state authority. If the original has to travel with an MFA apostille, this step comes before the notarised translation. Some documents need prior authentication before the MFA: diplomas and other education documents, confirmation by the issuing body (for example, the Ministry of Education); documents of religious bodies, confirmation under the rules of the issuing body. Without this step the MFA may not accept the document. Details by document type on the Apostille page.
- Notarised translation of the whole text. The full text: fields, footnotes, seals and the text of the first apostille, if the office asks for a translation of the apostilled original. Names in the transliteration used in the passport. The documents are bound into one set under the rules for notarial certification.
- Court apostille on the notary’s signature / seal. The Magistrate Court confirms the notarial act, not the content of the translation.
- Handover of the finished set. In person, by courier or by registered mail, as we agree after checking the documents.
04 / 11 · Mistake
The most common mistake
Translating the document before the MFA apostille, or making the translation without the text of the apostille already on it: a typical reason for refusal abroad.
Another risk: "finishing the translation on the spot" in another country, without regard to the Hebrew original and the powers of the foreign notary. If the receiving office requires an Israeli chain specifically, it is better to complete the order here, before sending.
05 / 11 · Full translation
What is translated in full
If the office asks for a full notarised translation, the translation includes: all fields and footnotes; seals and stamps; the text of the MFA apostille (when it is already on the original). Even if a document (for example, a teudat zehut, the Israeli ID card) is partly in English, the Hebrew elements are still translated when a full translation is required.
06 / 11 · Examples
Example documents
In short, following "MFA on the original → court on the notarised translation", when the receiving office asks for both layers: birth / marriage certificate and other Population Registry documents; bagrut / diploma, subject to prior confirmation by the issuing body; police certificate (no criminal record); Tabu extract.
The exact authority and channel (paper / gov.il) depend on the document type, see Apostille in Israel. On notarised translation: the notarised translation page. On the narrow urgent case (a short notarised translation + a court apostille on the same working day): Same-day.
07 / 11 · Time and cost
Time and cost
- Judicial Authority apostille fee: ₪41 per certificate from 1 January 2026; the amount is updated annually.
- MFA / electronic apostille fee: checked on the relevant gov.il service at submission.
- Notarised translation, submission and delivery: separate. I give the amount before work starts.
- MFA timing is not same-day. Same-day covers only the narrow case on the urgent-service page: a short notarised translation and a court apostille when the conditions are met.
- Payment: once the documents are ready. No prepayment.
08 / 11 · How to start
How to start
Send on WhatsApp:
- a clear photo of the document;
- the country and the office where you are submitting it;
- the text of the requirement (as they wrote it).
First I will tell you whether a double apostille is needed at all, what the order is and what it will cost.
09 / 11 · Questions
Frequently asked questions
- What is a "double apostille"?
- Two steps linked together: an MFA apostille on the state-issued original and a court apostille on the notarised translation (or another notarial act). Two authorities, two different signatures, and one cannot replace the other. The same chain is also searched for as a "dual apostille".
- Translation first or apostille first?
- If you need an MFA apostille on the original and a translation of that apostilled original, the MFA apostille comes first, then the notarised translation with the text of the apostille, then the court apostille. Translating before the MFA step often leads to refusal.
- Does the MFA apostille itself need to be translated?
- If the office asks for a translation of the apostilled original, yes, the notarised translation usually includes the text of the apostille as well. We check the exact requirement in the receiving office’s letter.
- Can one apostille be enough?
- Yes. Many offices accept the Hebrew original with an MFA apostille alone. Sometimes only a notarial act with a court apostille is needed. A double apostille is not a universal rule.
- Does Israel apostille foreign documents?
- No. An Israeli apostille is only for documents issued or certified in Israel. A foreign document is apostilled in the country that issued it.
- How does an MFA apostille differ from a court apostille?
- The MFA confirms the signature and seal on a state-issued document. The court confirms the signature and seal of an Israeli notary on a notarial act. They are different competent authorities under the 1961 Hague Convention.
- Is an electronic apostille accepted abroad?
- Not everywhere. An electronic apostille through gov.il is available only for documents on the list. Before ordering, ask the destination office whether it accepts an electronic file.
- How much is a court apostille in 2026?
- The Judicial Authority fee is ₪41 per certificate from 1 January 2026; it is updated annually. Notarial work, translation and delivery are separate.
- Can it be done urgently in one day?
- Same-day is possible only in a narrow case: a short notarised translation (up to one page) in Russian, Hebrew or English and a court apostille, when the conditions on the Same-day page are met. The MFA apostille is not part of this format.
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10 / 11 · Limits
What this page does not do
- It does not give a legal opinion on the rules of a particular foreign office: we look at their written requirement.
- It does not replace consular legalisation for countries outside the Hague Convention, see the country table.
- It is not about incoming legalisation of foreign documents for use in Israel: that is a separate topic.
11 / 11 · Basis
Legal basis
- Court apostille state fee, Judicial Authority (2026)
- Israeli Notaries Law 1976, the framework for notarial acts in Israel.
- Hague Apostille Convention 1961, the basis for using documents abroad.
“If a double apostille is not needed, I will tell you straight away.”
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