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BEITON & Co | 2026-03-31

Notarial Affidavit in Israel — When Required, How to Prepare & Fees

A notarial affidavit is a written declaration signed before a notary, in which the declarant confirms that the facts stated in the affidavit are true. The notary administers an oath, verifies the declarant's identity, and certifies that the signature was made in their presence of the declarant's own free will. The notarial certificate constitutes sufficient evidence under Section 19 of the Notaries Law, 1976 (חוק הנוטריונים, תשל"ו-1976).

What Is the Difference Between a Notarial Affidavit and Signature Authentication?

This is a common question, and the distinction is important:

Notarial AffidavitSignature Authentication
NatureDeclaration of facts — the declarant swears the content is trueCertification that a specific signature was made before the notary
OathYes — the notary administers an oathNo
Criminal liabilityYes — a false statement in an affidavit is a criminal offenseNo (unless the document itself constitutes fraud)
UseProving facts (single status, residence, inheritance)Certifying signatures on contracts, powers of attorney

For more on notarial signature authentication.

Common Types of Notarial Affidavits

Single Status Affidavit

Required when a person wants to marry abroad or when an official body needs proof that the declarant is not married. The affidavit includes a declaration that the person is single and not bound by marriage.

Affidavit of Residence

Required for school registration, municipal services, or proving residence before official bodies. The declarant states their actual residential address.

Heir Declaration / Affidavit of Heirs

Required as part of inheritance proceedings — the declarant details the deceased's heirs, their status, and family situation. This affidavit is sometimes required as part of a petition for an inheritance order or probate order.

Translator's Declaration

When a translator submits a notarial translation, they are required to sign an affidavit declaring that the translation is faithful to the original and that they are proficient in both languages.

Affidavit for Use Abroad

Many affidavits are required for use in foreign countries — for example, a single status affidavit for a marriage in Cyprus, a declaration of family status for immigration purposes, or an affidavit for legal proceedings abroad. In such cases, an apostille is usually required as well.

Additional Types of Affidavits

  • Affidavit regarding a name change
  • Affidavit regarding a lost document
  • Affidavit of property ownership
  • Affidavit of income / financial status
  • Affidavit of possession of real estate

When Is a Lawyer's Affidavit Sufficient vs. When You Need a Notary?

Not every affidavit needs to be notarized. Here is the general rule:

An affidavit before a lawyer is sufficient when:

  • The affidavit is submitted to an Israeli court (under the Civil Procedure Regulations)
  • The affidavit is required for an administrative proceeding in Israel
  • The requesting body does not specifically require notarial certification

A notarial affidavit is required when:

  • The document is intended for use abroad
  • The requesting body (bank, consulate, foreign authority) specifically requires notarial certification
  • An apostille is needed — an apostille stamp can only be placed on a notarial certificate, not on an affidavit before a regular lawyer
  • A third party requires a higher level of reliability

Rule of thumb: If the document is leaving Israel, or if the requesting body specified "notarized" — you need a notary.

The Process of Making a Notarial Affidavit

Step 1 — Prepare the text. Draft the affidavit in advance or ask the notary to help with the wording. The affidavit should include the relevant facts clearly and accurately.

Step 2 — Visit the notary with a valid ID. The declarant must appear in person — an affidavit cannot be signed in absentia.

Step 3 — Oath and signature. The notary reads the affidavit aloud, administers the oath ("Do you swear that everything stated in this affidavit is true?"), and the declarant signs.

Step 4 — Notarial certification. The notary attaches a signed and stamped certificate.

Notarial Affidavit Fees in Israel (2026)

Fees are set by the Notaries Regulations (Service Fees), 1978 (תקנות הנוטריונים (שכר שירותים), תשל"ט-1978). All prices are before VAT (18%):

ServiceFee
First declarant200 ₪
Each additional declarant80 ₪
Additional copy77 ₪

Calculation examples:

  • Affidavit by one person = 200 ₪ + VAT = 236 ₪
  • Two declarants on the same affidavit = 200 + 80 = 280 ₪ + VAT = 330.40 ₪
  • Affidavit + additional copy = 200 + 77 = 277 ₪ + VAT = 326.86 ₪

Want to calculate the exact price? Use our price calculator.

Fees are uniform nationwide. A notary is not permitted to charge more or less — deviation from the tariff is a disciplinary offense. For the full fee schedule, see the notary price list 2026.

Documents to Bring

  • Valid ID — Israeli ID card or passport
  • Draft of the affidavit (if available) — the notary can also help draft it on the spot
  • Supporting documents — depending on the type of affidavit (e.g., divorce certificate for a single status affidavit, land registry extract for a property ownership affidavit)

Frequently Asked Questions

Question: Does a notarial affidavit expire?

Answer: Legally, the notarial certificate does not expire. However, many bodies (consulates, banks, authorities) require a recent affidavit — typically no more than 3-6 months from the signing date.

Question: What is the penalty for making a false statement in an affidavit?

Answer: A false statement in an affidavit is a criminal offense under Section 239 of the Penal Law (חוק העונשין), carrying a penalty of up to 3 years imprisonment. This is why affidavits carry significant evidentiary weight.

Question: Can a notarial affidavit be made in a language other than Hebrew?

Answer: Yes. The notary may prepare an affidavit in any language they are fluent in. If the affidavit is in a language other than Hebrew, English, or Arabic, a surcharge of 104 ₪ before VAT applies.

Question: Can a minor sign a notarial affidavit?

Answer: Generally, a minor cannot sign an affidavit. In exceptional cases where a declaration from a minor is needed, court approval or the guardian's signature is required.

Question: How long does it take to get a notarial affidavit?

Answer: If the affidavit is prepared in advance, the process takes about 15-20 minutes. If drafting is needed on the spot, it takes about 30 minutes to an hour. At BEITON & Co, you can book an appointment and receive same-day service.

Question: What is the difference between a notarial affidavit and an affidavit before a lawyer?

Answer: Both are legally valid, but a notarial affidavit carries greater evidentiary weight. It is required when the document is intended for use abroad, when an apostille is needed, or when the requesting body specifically demands it.

How BEITON & Co Can Help

With us, a notarial affidavit takes just minutes:

  • Professional drafting — if you don't have a draft, we will write the affidavit for you
  • Service in multiple languages — Hebrew, English, Arabic, and more
  • Price calculator — know the exact cost upfront
  • Apostille handling — if the affidavit is intended for abroad, we handle everything from A to Z
  • Courier delivery — no need to visit the office

Need a notarial affidavit? Contact us now to schedule an appointment.

Calculate your price and submit documents now — notary.beiton.co