How to repatriate to Israel: a list of documents and useful advice from a lawyer

Repatriation to Israel beats all records. Over the past year, from May 1, 2021 to April 30, 2022, 42 people have repatriated to the Promised Land. According to Lechaim, this is a record number of repatriates over the past 20 years. A third came from Russia - 33%. They are followed by: Ukraine - 27%, USA - 10%, France - 8%, Argentina - 3%, Belarus - 3%, India - 2%. If you are one of those who are considering immigrating to Israel, then you should know that the process of applying for repatriation to Israel (aliyah) must be followed strictly. The applicant is required to submit an extensive package of documents, which are detailed below.

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1. Passport and its copy. Copy the page with the photo, as well as other pages containing significant information.

2. Birth certificate. Provide the original birth certificate issued by the country in which you were born. If the birth certificate is issued in a foreign language, it must contain a notarized translation into English or Hebrew. If the birth certificate has not been preserved, you can get a second document through Karina Duval's office sending a request by e-mail: [email protected] or by calling: 718-704-8558.

It is important to understand that modern birth certificates do not indicate the nationality of the parents, while the determination of nationality is mandatory for repatriation to Israel. Therefore, along with the birth certificate, the office receives for its clients an extract from the birth record.

3. Document on marital status. All documents about your marriages and divorces should be submitted, even if the marriage is dissolved, even if you did not change your last name during the marriage. If the spouse is deceased, then a death certificate is provided. If you have not saved your marital status documents or if you never received them as unnecessary, then you will have to restore them. It will help you to get such documents Karina Duval's office. Submit your request by email: [email protected] or call: 718-704-8558.

In some cases, additional documents from the registry office are required. For example, if you are Jewish on your father's side, you will need to provide your father's birth certificate, as well as a copy of your grandparents' marriage certificate. In addition, you will need a letter from the rabbi confirming that he knows you and that you were born to a Jewish father.

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If you are a Jewish mother, then in this case a letter from the rabbi will be enough for you, confirming that you are a Jew and were born from a Jewish mother. This document is required for all adults in the family making aliyah.

The letter must be typed on official synagogue letterhead in English or Hebrew. It should include the name, location, and phone number of the meeting, as well as your full legal name (as shown on your passport) and parents' names (and grandparents' names, where appropriate). The letter must be signed by the rabbi, indicating his name and title. If you have converted to Judaism, you will need to provide documentation of completion of the conversion process. The rabbi's signature must be in ink; a digital signature is not enough.

4. Application-autobiography. Describe yourself and indicate the reasons why you are making aliyah, as well as your plans after the repatriation process is completed.

5. Privacy waiver (one per family). This document allows government agencies and organizations to share the necessary information.

6. Each adult family member must complete a separate health declaration form. This form must be filled out on your own and is intended for the applicant himself, not his doctor. Parents must complete the form for their minor children.

7. Letter of recommendation from your community, signed by a non-relative and testifying to your character, moral qualities, contribution to the community, reasons for making aliyah. This document is not required for all applicants. You will be advised if such a document is required in your case.

8. Form of entry / exit from Israel for all family members aged 17 and over. You need to provide a detailed account of your trips to Israel for the 7 years prior to the date of repatriation. If you did not visit Israel in the seven years prior to your aliyah, or if you have never been to this country at all, you need to sign this form and attach an explanatory note to it that you were not in Israel during the specified period.

9. Certificate of no criminal record from the United States (obtained from the FBI) ​​and all places where the applicant has lived since the age of 14. The American certificate of no criminal record has a limited validity period of 3 months, so proceed with its execution only when all other documents have already been collected. Karina Duval's office will help in obtaining such certificates from all over the territory of the former USSR, as well as issue an apostille for American documents.

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10. Two passport size photographs for all family members over the age of 16 making aliyah. These must be recentgood quality color digital photographs. You also need to send one photo, which shows all family members together. If there is only one applicant, only he or she should be in the photo.

11. Documents on education. They are not mandatory for immigrating to Israel, but if you get them in advance, you will increase your chances of getting a well-paid job in Israel or open up the possibility of continuing your studies or obtaining a professional license in Israel. Karina Duval's office help collect documents from all the colleges and universities you have ever attended.

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