Affidavits in Israel
What is an affidavit?
An affidavit is a written statement, voluntarily made by an affiant, under an oath or affirmation which is administered by a person who is authorized to do so by law. Affidavits can be either written freely as a list of statements (following a format) or incorporated into official forms, where you only have to fill in the missing details (for example, form AS6).
All affidavits will have a bottom section that is dedicated to their validation – the approval of getting the declaration. This section is to be filled by the validating authority (usually, a lawyer).
Affidavits are legal documents and signing them is a legal action. In Israel, the thing that is giving the affidavit its legal standing is the fact that the affidavit is signed in front of an authority (for example, a lawyer), that confirms the identity of the affiant, and warns them that they must declare the truth, and that failing to do so is punishable by law.
In the gradual process, affidavits are usually used as a way to confirm facts that cannot be confirmed in another way, for example in cases when the country of origin of the foreign partner does not issue a certain type of documentation or certification.
Who can validate my affidavit in Israel?
These are the authorities that can validate an affidavit in Israel:
- An Israeli lawyer
- An Israeli notary – only notaries can make a notarial affidavit. If you were asked to submit a notarial affidavit, you have to do it with a notary.
- The Magistrate’s court – either with a “lawyer on duty” or at the court’s secretariat (chief secretary or deputy chief secretary) – check the link for a list of magistrate’s courts in Israel and opening hours. No appointment is needed.
How to make an affidavit in Israel?
Do not sign the affidavit when you’re on your own!
- Write or fill in the details of your affidavit, but leave the signature line empty.
- Find an authority to validate your affidavit – it can be any licensed Israeli lawyer or the magistrate’s court secretariat. No appointment is needed for the services of the Magistrate’s court, you can just walk in during opening hours.
- Once you are in front of the necessary authority, you will have to verify your identity with an identification document, such as an Israeli ID (t.z) or passport.
- The authority will warn you that you have to state the truth and that failing to do so is punishable by law.
- After confirming that, you will be asked to sign the affidavit in front of the authority.
- After signing, the relevant authority will fill in their details in the validation format that is at the bottom of the page, sign it and stamp it with a stamp.
Your affidavit is ready!
How much does it cost to make an affidavit?
It depends on your validating authority.
If you can find a lawyer that would do it for free – that’s great!
Private lawyers charge anything between 100 NIS to 250 NIS including VAT.
The court’s secretariat and lawyers on duty at the Magistrate’s court charge a fixed rate of 51 NIS per signature.
Supporters of the Israeli Association of International Couples in the goal donation amount get free affidavit validation for any affidavit related to their partner visa process! Learn more >
