Lawyers
Notarization in Israel — Process, Powers, and Costs
In many legal and business situations, a document requires notarization — a special form of authentication performed by a licensed notary public. Whether you need a signature verified, a document certified, or a translation authenticated, understanding the notarization process is an important first step.
The Notary Law defines the qualifications required to obtain a notary license in Israel. A preliminary requirement is that the applicant must be a licensed attorney with significant professional experience, ensuring that notary publics possess the legal expertise necessary to perform their duties.
By Igal Mor, Adv. & Notary
Accuracy in Legal Advice. Excellence in legal support.
What Is the Difference Between an Attorney and a Notary Public?
Under the Notary Law, an attorney must meet several conditions to obtain a notary license: the applicant must be a citizen or permanent resident of Israel, hold a valid license to practice law, and have accumulated at least ten years of legal experience. These requirements ensure that notary publics bring substantial professional knowledge to their role.
In addition to meeting the licensing requirements, a notary public possesses broader powers than a regular attorney when it comes to official document authentication. A notary is authorized to perform acts of verification, certification, and attestation that carry special evidentiary weight under Israeli law.
The Powers of a Notary Public
Under Section 7 of the Notary Law, a notary public has several unique powers. The first is signature verification. In this process, the notary confirms that the signature appearing on a document belongs to the person in question, through in-person identification using a valid identity card or passport.
A notary is also authorized to issue several types of certificates: a certificate confirming that the person who signed a document is authorized to do so, a certified copy of an original document, and a certified translation of a document from one language to another.
In addition, a notary is authorized to attest to negotiable instruments and to perform other acts for which notaries are empowered under Israeli law, including certifying wills and affidavits.
What Is Notarization?
A notarial certificate is a notary’s official confirmation of one of the acts described above: verifying a signatory’s identity, certifying the authenticity of a document copy, attesting to the accuracy of a translation, or confirming a person’s authority to sign on behalf of another.
The notary’s powers are primarily relevant to official legal documents whose importance lies in their legal and evidentiary standing. Notarization adds a layer of legal credibility that can be critical in court proceedings, real estate transactions, and international legal matters.
The Notarization Process
The law defines specific rules for each type of notarial act. For example, to confirm a person’s authority to sign a particular document, the notary must verify the authorization through all relevant supporting documents.
When notarization is required, it is important to identify the specific action needed and prepare all relevant documents in advance. Proper preparation ensures a smooth and efficient notarization process.
When a notarial certificate is required for a document translation, the applicant must ensure that both the original document and the translation are presented to the notary. The notary verifies the accuracy of the translation and issues an official certification.
At Mor & Co. Law Firm and Notary, the notarization process with Attorney & Notary Igal Mor is conducted with the highest standards of professionalism and personal attention, ensuring that every document meets all legal requirements.
Advantages of Notarization
Notarization provides two primary advantages:
First, a claim supported by a notarized certificate carries presumptive evidentiary weight and generally does not require additional evidence to prove its truth. This principle has been affirmed by Israeli courts and significantly strengthens the legal standing of notarized documents.
Second, notarization is required for certain real estate transactions that involve registration with the Land Registry (Tabu). A notary’s approval of a legal document confirms the identity and legal capacity of the signatories, which is essential for completing the registration process.
Cost of Notarization (2024 Rates)
Notary service fees are set by the Notary Regulations (Service Fees) and are not subject to market pricing. The regulated rates include: signature verification — NIS 186, plus NIS 73 for each additional seal; certified copy of a document — NIS 73 for the first page, NIS 13 for each additional page, and NIS 25 for the first page of an additional copy plus NIS 13 per additional page; notarized translation — NIS 236 for the first 100 words, NIS 186 for each additional 100 words up to 1,000, and NIS 93 for each 100 words beyond 1,000; will certification — NIS 277, plus NIS 138 for each additional seal and NIS 83 for each additional certification. Full details are specified in the regulations.
Contact Our Notary Office
Attorney and Notary Igal Mor provides notary services with professionalism, reliability, and personalized attention, ensuring that every stage of the notarization process is properly completed in accordance with the law.
For information about notarization procedures and fees, or to schedule an appointment, contact us by phone at 02-595-3322 or WhatsApp at 050-811-6181.