How to obtain a certificate of no criminal record in Israel: instructions and details

A certificate of no criminal record in Israel is required for visas, citizenship, or employment. Find out how to obtain it, whether you can submit documents remotely, and what you need to consider

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A certificate of no criminal record (Teudat Yosher, תעודת יושר) is an official document confirming that a person has no criminal record in Israel, has not been prosecuted, and is not under investigation.

Formally, the document does not contain the phrase “no criminal record,” but is an extract from the Israeli police register (Criminal Register map), which indicates the absence or presence of records of criminal offenses.

When and why is a certificate of no criminal record required?

A certificate of no criminal record is often required in the following cases:

● applying for a residence permit (temporary or permanent) in another country;

● applying for foreign citizenship;

● applying for a work visa at state and international institutions;

● participating in tenders, programs, or projects abroad;

● submitting documents for adoption, guardianship, or a special license (for example, for security work or medical practice);

● returning or emigrating to Israel, Ukraine, or third countries with the need to prove the “cleanliness” of your biography.

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How to obtain a certificate of no criminal record in Israel: important features

Obtaining a certificate on your own in Israel may be more difficult than it seems at first glance. Why?

1. The Israeli police do not issue certificates directly to applicants

This document cannot be obtained “in person” or sent to your postal address. The police send the certificate to the official authority that requested it (e.g., consulate, immigration service, foreign ministry, etc.). This creates inconvenience if the applicant needs to obtain it for several countries or submit it independently.

2. The application must clearly state the purpose of obtaining the certificate

The application to the police must specify:

● the country to which the document is being submitted;

● the government agency for which it is intended;

● whether a translation, apostille, or additional legalization is required.

Without this information, the application may be rejected or the certificate may not be accepted by the relevant authority.

3. The form and communication with the police are in Hebrew

Most of the documents submitted must be in Hebrew or English. This creates difficulties for foreigners or new repatriates.

4. The application can only be submitted in person or through a lawyer

If submitted outside Israel, only through a trusted person or lawyer with a notarized power of attorney. Independent remote submission is not possible without legal representation.

5. Production time — 2 to 4 weeks

The application is reviewed within 14 to 30 days, and this process is often delayed due to incomplete or incorrectly completed documents, language errors, or outdated information.

Is it possible to obtain a certificate of no criminal record remotely?

Yes, but only with the assistance of a lawyer or authorized representative in Israel. To do this, you will need to:

● sign a notarized power of attorney (in some cases — with an apostille);

● provide copies of documents (passport, teudat zehut or other proof of residence in Israel);

● clearly indicate where and for what purpose the certificate is being submitted.

How can Visit Ukraine's immigration lawyers help?

Obtaining such a certificate is a bureaucratic procedure with linguistic, technical, and legal nuances. Our team of lawyers provides full support throughout this process, regardless of where you are — in Israel, Ukraine, or another country.

Our specialists will help you:

● prepare a complete set of documents;

● draw up a power of attorney, with a notarized translation if necessary;

● submit an application to the Israeli police;

● obtain the certificate as quickly and officially as possible;

● translate the document into English or Ukrainian;

● affix an apostille for use abroad;

● send the finished certificate to you or to the appropriate authority.

If you want to avoid unnecessary mistakes, long waits, and misunderstandings, leave a request on the Visit Ukraine website, and we will take care of the entire process of obtaining a certificate of no criminal record in Israel.

We remind you! It is possible to obtain Israeli citizenship through Jewish ancestry up to the third generation. Read about the documents required, the procedure, and how to obtain legal assistance in our previous article.

Photo: Depositphotos

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