Israel

Ad hoc documentation for children of non-resident mothers

In 2012, in Israel migrant mothers were being given unofficial hospital-issued birth notices hand-written in Hebrew instead of birth certificates with both parents’ names. These notices did not include the father’s name. In 2013, a legal challenge was made on behalf of an asylum seeking family who had permission to stay in the country and work permits, but were denied a birth certificate that included the father’s name.

Promising Practices and Updates

Following a petition submitted to the High Court of Justice in 2013, Israel made changes to the “Notice of Live Birth” issued to foreign parents in order to ensure that it complies with the standards of an “Official Document” and enable its authentication with an Apostille. These changes enable parents to submit the Notice of Live Birth to the relevant authorities in their country of nationality. The name of the father is written on the Notice of Live Birth based on the declaration of the parents.