FCDO e-Apostille for Israel: Solicitor Certification

Do you need to use a UK document in Israel?

Ginkgo Advisory provides solicitor verification, enhanced solicitor certification and FCDO apostille services for Israel.

We assist with UK educational, company, court and personal documents. For urgent cases, our express e-Apostille option may take a few hours to one working day.

However, completion depends on verification, submission times and FCDO processing.

UK Documents for Use in Israel

Israel and the United Kingdom are parties to the Hague Apostille Convention.

Therefore, an eligible UK document with an FCDO apostille can normally be presented in Israel without further authentication by an Israeli Embassy or Consulate.

Israeli official guidance confirms that public documents issued in another Hague Convention country and carrying an apostille are valid for presentation in Israel without additional diplomatic or consular verification.

Before starting, ask the Israeli recipient whether it needs:

• an original or certified copy
• an e-Apostille or paper apostille
• a Hebrew translation
• separate apostilles for each document
• one combined legalised PDF
• a recently issued document

These checks can prevent delays and unnecessary costs.

Which UK Documents Can We Prepare?

Our solicitor can review many types of UK documents.

Educational documents

• Degree Certificates
• Academic Transcripts
• Diploma Supplements
• Higher Education Achievement Reports
• university letters
• school certificates
• professional qualifications

Company documents

• Certificates of Incorporation
• Companies House documents
• Articles of Association
• board resolutions
• shareholder resolutions
• powers of attorney
• commercial agreements

Court and legal documents

• Final Orders
• Decrees Absolute
• court orders
• judgments
• consent orders
• probate documents
• legal declarations

Personal documents

• certified passport copies
• proof of address
• employment letters
• consent forms
• statutory declarations
• professional certificates
• ACRO Police Certificates
• DBS certificates

The correct route depends on the document and its intended use in Israel.

What Is Solicitor Certification?

Solicitor certification is a formal statement signed by a UK solicitor.

For example, the solicitor may confirm that a copy matches the original document.

Basic wording often states:

“I certify that this is a true copy of the original document.”

This statement may meet a simple certified-copy request. However, it does not confirm that the issuing university, court, company or public body created a genuine document.

Therefore, an Israeli employer, university, regulator or public authority may ask for stronger evidence.

What Is Enhanced Solicitor Certification?

Enhanced solicitor certification goes beyond basic true-copy wording.

First, our solicitor checks the document through a reliable source. The source may include a university, Companies House, a court record or an official digital system.

Next, we prepare stronger wording, such as:

“I further certify that I have verified the authenticity of this document with the issuing institution.”

As a result, the Israeli recipient receives:

• a certified copy of the document; and
• confirmation that the solicitor checked its source.

This approach may help where the recipient wants more than a visual comparison with an original.

Solicitor Verification and Certification

Verification and certification are separate stages.

Verification means checking the document with its issuing source.

Certification means issuing the formal solicitor statement after completing that check.

For educational documents, we may use:

• direct university confirmation
• HEDD
• Gradintelligence
• Digitary
• Parchment
• an official university portal
• a secure document-sharing service

Company checks may involve official Companies House records.

Court-document checks can include the court seal, case number, issue email or other official evidence.

Afterwards, our solicitor prepares and signs the certificate.

What Does the FCDO Apostille Confirm?

The FCDO checks whether the relevant UK signature, stamp or seal matches its records.

When the document meets its rules, the FCDO issues an apostille. Qualification certificates, contracts, powers of attorney and certified copies can qualify after certification by a UK solicitor or notary.

However, an apostille does not confirm every statement inside the underlying document.

For this reason, enhanced solicitor certification can provide a stronger evidence chain:

Source verification → enhanced solicitor certification → solicitor signature → FCDO apostille

The apostille authenticates the relevant signature or seal. The enhanced certificate records the verification completed before legalisation.

Does a UK Apostille Need Israeli Embassy Legalisation?

Normally, no.

Israel joined the Hague Apostille Convention in 1978. A UK public document carrying an FCDO apostille should not need further Israeli diplomatic or consular authentication.

The UK FCDO must apostille a UK document.

Israel’s authorities issue apostilles for Israeli documents intended for use overseas. They do not issue an Israeli apostille for a British document.

FCDO e-Apostille for Israel

The FCDO offers both paper apostilles and e-Apostilles.

For the electronic route, a UK solicitor or notary must electronically sign the PDF. The completed legalised document can then be downloaded and shared digitally.

Our solicitor’s electronic signature is registered with the FCDO for e-Apostille purposes.

Consequently, we can prepare eligible PDFs for electronic legalisation.

Israel also provides digital apostilles for some Israeli public documents. This shows that Israeli government systems recognise electronic apostille technology for domestic-issued documents. However, it does not mean that every Israeli authority automatically accepts every foreign e-Apostille.

Therefore, ask the recipient whether it accepts:

• a UK FCDO e-Apostille
• an electronically signed PDF
• a printed version of the e-Apostille
• a paper apostille attached to the original
• a document uploaded through an online system

A paper apostille may work better where the Israeli recipient requires a physical original.

Express e-Apostille Service for Israel

Straightforward cases may take a few hours to one working day when:

• the document is clear and complete
• source verification has finished
• the PDF qualifies for an e-Apostille
• payment has arrived
• the FCDO requires no further checks

The FCDO publishes a processing time of up to two working days for an e-Apostille. Signature checks or document queries may extend that period.

Therefore, urgent clients should provide the documents and the Israeli recipient’s requirements as early as possible.

Educational Documents for Israel

UK educational documents may support:

• university admission in Israel
• postgraduate study
• employment
• foreign degree evaluation
• public-sector salary grading
• professional licensing
• teaching applications
• immigration or Aliyah procedures

Common documents include the Degree Certificate and Academic Transcript.

A Degree Certificate confirms the award. In contrast, an Academic Transcript records subjects, grades, credits and study dates.

However, an apostille does not decide how Israel will recognise a UK qualification.

The recipient may also ask for:

• a government degree evaluation
• direct university verification
• a Diploma Supplement
• course descriptions
• evidence of study dates
• professional licensing
• separate apostilles

Evaluation of Foreign Academic Degrees in Israel

Israel operates government services for evaluating academic degrees obtained abroad.

The evaluation compares a foreign degree with equivalent degrees awarded by recognised Israeli academic institutions. One main use involves determining academic salary grades under Israeli public-sector practices.

Applicants may need documents such as:

• the final Degree Certificate
• an official Academic Transcript
• details of credits and years of study
• identity documents
• evidence of immigration or residence status, where applicable
• supporting confirmation from the university

Official guidance lists the degree diploma and official grade transcript among the main documents for a bachelor’s degree evaluation.

Evaluation for New Immigrants

The Ministry of Aliyah and Integration provides a foreign-degree evaluation service for eligible new immigrants.

Its department compares overseas certificates, diplomas and academic degrees with equivalent Israeli qualifications.

The exact authority and process can depend on:

• the applicant’s immigration status
• the intended employment
• whether the profession requires a licence
• whether the evaluation supports salary grading
• the date and circumstances of Aliyah

Therefore, ask the employer or responsible government body which evaluation certificate it requires.

Apostille and Degree Evaluation Are Different

An apostille and a foreign-degree evaluation perform different functions.

The FCDO apostille authenticates the relevant signature or seal.

The Israeli evaluation compares the foreign degree with an Israeli academic level.

Neither process automatically replaces the other.

In addition, a government degree evaluation does not necessarily grant permission to practise a regulated profession.

UK Degree Verification for Israel

A basic certified copy may not satisfy every Israeli recipient.

For stronger evidence, our solicitor can verify a UK qualification where the university provides a reliable route.

The process may include:

• reviewing the Degree Certificate
• checking the Academic Transcript
• accessing an official verification platform
• contacting the issuing university
• preparing enhanced certification
• electronically signing the PDF
• arranging the FCDO apostille

This process records how we checked the qualification.

However, it does not replace a government degree evaluation, university admission decision or professional licence.

Professional Qualifications in Israel

Israel regulates many professions.

Applicants may need formal approval before working as:

• doctors
• dentists
• nurses
• pharmacists
• psychologists
• architects
• engineers
• teachers
• lawyers
• accountants
• social workers
• other licensed professionals

The Israeli government maintains separate licensing procedures for regulated professions. Each professional authority sets its own education, examination and document requirements.

For example, the Ministry of Health handles licensing and recognition for many medical and healthcare professions.

An applicant may need to provide:

• a Degree Certificate
• an Academic Transcript
• course descriptions
• proof of professional registration
• a certificate of good standing
• employment records
• apostilled documents
• Hebrew translations
• licensing-examination results

Obtain the regulator’s written checklist before arranging certification.

Company Documents for Israel

UK company documents may support:

• registering an Israeli subsidiary
• registering a foreign company
• opening a corporate bank account
• investment transactions
• commercial contracts
• court proceedings
• proving directors or shareholders
• appointing a representative in Israel

Official Companies House certificates may qualify for direct FCDO legalisation.

Company-created documents will usually need an appropriate signature or solicitor certification before the FCDO can issue an apostille.

Examples include:

• board resolutions
• shareholder resolutions
• company powers of attorney
• registers of directors
• registers of members
• authorised signatory letters
• commercial agreements

Israeli official guidance for signing on behalf of a foreign company refers to a certificate of incorporation or registration carrying an apostille, together with current confirmation from the company’s lawyer or accountant that the signatory can bind the company.

Therefore, ask the Israeli lawyer, bank, registrar or business partner for the exact document list.

Powers of Attorney for Israel

A UK power of attorney may support:

• a property transaction
• a company matter
• court proceedings
• estate administration
• representation before an Israeli authority
• commercial transactions

The Israeli lawyer or recipient should provide the required wording before the document is signed.

Depending on the transaction, the document may require:

• execution before a solicitor or notary
• witness details
• identity verification
• an FCDO apostille
• a Hebrew translation
• an original paper document

Some Israeli procedures may specifically require a notarial act rather than ordinary solicitor certification.

Therefore, do not use a general power-of-attorney template without first checking the Israeli requirements.

Court Documents for Israel

UK court documents may need legalisation for:

• divorce registration
• probate
• inheritance
• family proceedings
• civil claims
• debt enforcement
• commercial disputes

Examples include:

• Final Orders
• Decrees Absolute
• court judgments
• consent orders
• Grants of Probate
• Letters of Administration

A court document with a recognised wet-ink court seal may qualify for direct FCDO legalisation.

By contrast, an electronic court document may first need solicitor verification and certification.

Israeli civil-status procedures may also require an original foreign marriage, divorce or death certificate carrying an apostille.

Because requirements can vary, confirm the format with the Israeli court, lawyer, Population Authority or other recipient.

Does Israel Require a Hebrew Translation?

The answer depends on the procedure.

Many Israeli services accept documents written in Hebrew or English. Therefore, a UK document already written in English may not always need translation.

However, some authorities still ask for a Hebrew translation. Documents in other languages often require translation and notarial certification.

For example, Israeli immigration guidance states that documents in languages other than Hebrew, English and Arabic may need a Hebrew translation and notarisation.

Civil-status and consular procedures may also require translations to match the original document exactly. A translator’s affidavit may need notarial certification and confirmation that the translator understands both languages.

Before arranging a translation, ask:

• whether the recipient accepts English
• whether it requires a Hebrew translation
• whether an Israeli notary must certify the translation
• whether the translator must sign an affidavit
• whether the apostille also needs translation
• whether every page and annex needs translation

Often, applicants complete the apostille first. Afterwards, the translator prepares the full Hebrew package.

Birth, Marriage and Civil-Status Documents

UK civil-status documents may support:

• registering a child born abroad
• recording a marriage
• reporting a divorce
• changing a name
• family reunification
• immigration or citizenship applications

Israeli guidance for registering a child born abroad requires the original birth certificate to carry an apostille when it comes from a Hague Convention country. The application may also require a translation.

Likewise, marital-status procedures may require apostilled marriage, divorce or death documents. Translation requirements depend on the language and the receiving mission or authority.

These documents normally require the FCDO paper route because General Register Office certificates cannot receive an e-Apostille.

Police Certificates for Israel

A UK ACRO Police Certificate may support:

• immigration
• employment
• residency
• professional licensing
• citizenship or family procedures

The FCDO does not issue an e-Apostille for an ACRO Police Certificate. Therefore, ACRO documents must use the paper apostille route.

The Israeli recipient may also request:

• the original certificate
• a recent issue date
• a Hebrew translation
• direct delivery
• a separate apostille

Check the required validity period before ordering the certificate.

Documents That Need a Paper Apostille

The FCDO does not issue an e-Apostille for certain document types.

These include:

• UK birth certificates
• marriage certificates
• death certificates
• civil partnership certificates
• adoption certificates
• ACRO Police Certificates
• DBS certificates
• disclosure certificates
• fingerprint certificates
• ACCA membership certificates

These documents normally require a paper apostille.

An Israeli recipient may also request a physical document even when the FCDO offers an electronic route.

Separate or Combined Apostilles?

Several related documents can sometimes form one solicitor-certified PDF.

However, this approach does not suit every Israeli application.

Separate apostilles may work better when:

• the Degree Certificate and Transcript have different uses
• a regulator wants separate files
• each document will go to a different authority
• the recipient requests an individual apostille for each document
• the documents come from different issuing bodies

GOV.UK advises applicants to check whether the recipient wants one apostille for a group of documents or separate apostilles.

Our Process

Step 1: Send the Document

Send us a clear PDF of the UK document.

Step 2: Provide the Israeli Requirements

Include any instructions from the Israeli authority, employer, university, court, bank, regulator, lawyer or company.

Step 3: Check Whether Legalisation Is Needed

We first determine whether the recipient requires an apostille.

Step 4: Select the Correct Route

We check whether the document needs:

• an e-Apostille
• a paper apostille
• solicitor certification
• source verification
• notarisation
• separate legalisation

Step 5: Verify the Document

Where possible, our solicitor checks the document with its issuing source.

Step 6: Prepare Enhanced Certification

We draft the appropriate certification wording and apply the solicitor’s signature.

Step 7: Arrange the FCDO Apostille

Our team submits the document through the suitable FCDO route.

Step 8: Send the Completed Document

Finally, we provide the completed digital document or arrange return delivery of the paper document.

An Israeli recipient can verify a UK paper or electronic apostille using the issue date and apostille number.

Need an Apostille for Israel?

Send Ginkgo Advisory:

• a copy of the UK document
• its intended use in Israel
• the name of the Israeli recipient
• any written requirements
• the required language
• your required completion date

We will check whether an apostille is necessary and confirm the suitable verification, certification and legalisation route.

Eligible express e-Apostille cases may take a few hours to one working day, subject to document checks and FCDO processing.

Frequently Asked Questions

Does Israel accept an FCDO apostille?

Yes. Israel and the United Kingdom are parties to the Hague Apostille Convention. An eligible UK document carrying an FCDO apostille can normally be presented in Israel without further Israeli consular authentication.

Does Israel accept an FCDO e-Apostille?

A UK e-Apostille may suit a digital application. However, the Israeli recipient should confirm that it accepts an electronically signed PDF.

Does the Israeli Embassy need to legalise an apostilled UK document?

Normally, no. The Hague Apostille route replaces further diplomatic or consular authentication for eligible public documents.

Is true-copy certification enough?

It depends on the purpose. Some Israeli recipients may also want confirmation that the solicitor verified the document with its issuing body.

Can you verify a UK Degree Certificate?

Yes, where the issuing university provides a reliable verification route.

Does an apostille replace Israeli degree evaluation?

No. An apostille authenticates the relevant signature or seal. The Israeli evaluation process compares the foreign qualification with equivalent Israeli academic degrees.

Does degree evaluation grant a professional licence?

Not automatically. Regulated professions follow separate licensing procedures through the responsible Israeli authority.

Can you apostille an Academic Transcript?

Yes. We can review, verify and certify an eligible Academic Transcript before arranging the FCDO apostille.

Does Israel require a Hebrew translation?

Not always. Some Israeli procedures accept documents in English. However, the recipient may still request a Hebrew translation or notarial certification.

Can an ACRO Police Certificate receive an e-Apostille?

No. An ACRO Police Certificate must use the FCDO paper apostille route.

Can several documents share one apostille?

Sometimes. However, the Israeli recipient may request a separate apostille for each document.