Updated 2026-05-15
Israeli Ministry of Interior
Also known as: Министерство внутренних дел Израиля (משרד הפנים) · משרד הפנים
Government authority that maintains Israel's population registry; issues ID cards, passports, certificates of status and registration.
The Israeli Ministry of Interior (משרד הפנים) is the government authority responsible for the population registry, citizenship, status, ID cards, and passports. An important terminological note: Russian-speaking olim sometimes call this office "МВД" because משרד הפנים translates literally into Russian as Министерство внутренних дел (МВД). However this refers to the Israeli ministry, not to the Russian Ministry of Internal Affairs. When preparing documents it is important to clarify which authority is meant.
Reviewed by Adv. Alla Flat · updated 2026-05-15
See also
- Israeli Ministry of Foreign Affairs (MFA)— Government authority that issues apostilles on Israeli state documents for use abroad.
- Oleh / oleh chadash (new immigrant)— Jewish immigrant who has come to Israel for permanent residence under the Law of Return.
- Power of attorney— Document by which the principal authorises another person to act on their behalf within defined limits.