Need a document translated for use in Israel or abroad? Our office handles requests involving Hebrew, English, Romanian and Russian. Tell us the source and target languages, the type of document and the receiving authority’s requirements so we can identify the appropriate translation and certificate.
Documents may include birth, marriage and death certificates, education and professional records, registry extracts, probate and inheritance documents, powers of attorney, company records and other personal or business documents. The required certificate and any authentication depend on the destination and intended use.
What is important to know about a notarized translation?
An Israeli notary may certify the accuracy of a translation when the notary knows both the source and target languages and has prepared the translation or checked its accuracy. The certificate identifies the act performed. A separate notarial certificate can record a translator’s affidavit or declaration; that certificate does not itself certify the translation’s accuracy. Check which form the receiving authority requires before ordering the work.
What does the notary certify?
A certificate of translation accuracy concerns the correspondence between the translated text and the document presented to the notary. It does not establish the underlying document’s authenticity, the truth of every statement in it or its acceptance by a foreign authority. The Ministry of Justice publishes distinct examples for translation accuracy (Form 7) and a translator’s affidavit or declaration (Form 9).
When might a notarized translation be requested?
Requirements vary by authority and destination. Common contexts include:
- Education abroad: certificates, transcripts and civil records where the institution asks for an authenticated translation.
- Employment and licensing: professional certificates, identification and other records requested by the recipient.
- Inheritance and property: probate orders, wills and related records where a foreign authority specifies a translation requirement.
- Legal proceedings: contracts, judgments or certificates subject to the court’s or agency’s rules.
Some recipients accept other forms of translation. Obtain the recipient’s instructions, including language pair and certificate wording, before commissioning a notarial act.
Translator’s declaration is a different certificate
When the notary cannot personally certify translation accuracy in both languages, the notary may instead receive and certify a translator’s affidavit or declaration under the applicable formalities. This records the translator’s statement; it is not a notarial confirmation that the translation is accurate. The recipient must decide whether that form meets its rules.
Why request a notarial translation certificate?
A receiving institution may require a notary’s certificate to identify who certified the translation and what was certified. The certificate’s evidentiary and practical effect depends on the applicable law and the recipient. Do not assume that every translated document needs notarization or that every notarial form is interchangeable.
Apostille and use abroad
For use outside Israel, ask the receiving authority whether an apostille or another legalization route is required. An apostille authenticates the origin of the relevant public document or notarial certificate, including the signature, capacity and seal; it does not verify the accuracy of the translated text or guarantee acceptance. The route for a physical Israeli notarial certificate differs from that for an electronic certificate. See the Israeli Judicial Authority’s apostille guidance and the Ministry of Justice electronic-notary service.
Which documents can be translated?
Examples include inheritance orders and wills; education certificates; birth, death, marriage and divorce certificates; name-change and identification documents; government registry extracts; and company records. These are examples, not a blanket rule that each item requires notarization. The original or appropriate source document, language pair and receiving authority’s instructions determine the work.
The price of a notarized translation
Israeli notarial fees for specified acts follow the applicable published tariff, which is updated annually. The former fixed amounts on this page were outdated. The certificate fee depends on the act, the number of translated words and any additional copies under the current tariff; VAT applies as required by law. Preparing a translation, apostille, courier service and other separately ordered work should be identified separately in an itemized quotation. Check the current Ministry of Justice notarial tariff before relying on a price.
Translation involving Romanian, Russian, English or Hebrew
Send the document, identify the source and target languages and state where it will be submitted. We will check the suitable certificate, the available language combination, whether the recipient requests an original or copy, and any apostille or other authentication step. The receiving authority’s current rules control its acceptance of the finished document.
FAQ
A notary may certify translation accuracy only when the notary knows both the source and target languages and prepared or checked the translation. Where the notary instead certifies a translator’s affidavit or declaration, that is a different certificate and does not itself certify accuracy. Confirm which form the recipient requires.
Timing depends on the document, language pair, availability of a suitable notary or translator, and any apostille or external authority step. Send the document and the recipient’s requirements for a case-specific estimate.
An apostille authenticates the origin of the relevant public document or notarial certificate, including the signature, capacity and seal. It does not certify the translation’s accuracy or compel a foreign authority to accept it. Ask the recipient whether an apostille is required and which Israeli route applies.
A court or agency may accept or require a translation with a particular certificate, but its procedural and evidentiary rules control. Confirm the required language, certificate type and authentication with the receiving authority; notarization alone does not guarantee admission or prove the original document’s content.