updated 2026-05-15
Glossary of notarial terms
Concepts, authorities, and documents our clients most often encounter. Every definition is grounded in the Israeli Notaries Law of 1976, the text of the Hague Convention of 1961, or established Israeli practice. If a term is missing, message us on WhatsApp and we will add it.
Reviewed by Adv. Alla Flat
Concepts
Documents and instruments
Affidavit
Written statement made under oath or formal affirmation, signed in the presence of a notary or other authorised person.
Certified copy
Document copy with a notarial certification confirming exact correspondence to the original.
General power of attorney
Power of attorney with a broad scope of authority, covering several types of acts or an open-ended list of tasks.
Notarised translation
Translation of a document accompanied by a notarial certification confirming that the translation matches the source.
Power of attorney
Document by which the principal authorises another person to act on their behalf within defined limits.
Specific power of attorney
Power of attorney with a narrowly defined scope of authority — typically for a single transaction or single act.
Translator's declaration
Written declaration by the translator that the translation they performed is accurate, certified by a notary.
Authorities and courts
District Court
Middle instance of the Israeli general courts; hears larger civil matters and serious criminal cases.
Israeli Ministry of Foreign Affairs (MFA)
Government authority that issues apostilles on Israeli state documents for use abroad.
Israeli Ministry of Interior
Government authority that maintains Israel's population registry; issues ID cards, passports, certificates of status and registration.
Magistrate Court
First instance of the Israeli general courts; authorised to issue apostilles on documents bearing notarial certification.
Physical artefacts
Roles and statuses
Advocate (member of the Israel Bar Association)
Lawyer who has completed clerkship, passed the Israel Bar Association exams, and received a licence to practise law.
Notary public
Advocate granted authority by the Israeli Ministry of Justice to perform notarial acts after at least ten years of advocacy practice.
Oleh / oleh chadash (new immigrant)
Jewish immigrant who has come to Israel for permanent residence under the Law of Return.