Keep Your Papers Handy

Last month, someone called our office to let us know they were making aliyah this week. There was one problem though. They packed some important forms—birth certificate, proof of Jewish status, marriage license and a few more documents—in their lift. The lift wouldn’t arrive until sometime late May—if they were lucky. Could Olim Paveway help?

Naturally the first thing I did was to connect them with a melaveh (personal guide). He immediately went to work, helping them resolve their problem before they boarded their flight. They’re here now, settled in their new apartment, and getting ready to enjoy their one Seder night in Israel.

I share this story as a cautionary tale for anyone making aliyah. The lesson is simple. Despite Israel’s reputation for high-tech innovation, aliyah is still in the paper age. Moreover, it’s got to be the originals. So, keep your papers handy. Put them in your carry-on bag, not your checked suitcase and definitely not in your lift. Every year, olim find themselves in frustrating situations because they packed their essential paperwork in the wrong place.

Original Documents You’ll Probably Need

When you land in Israel as an oleh hadash, officials at Ben Gurion Airport will review your paperwork before issuing your Teudat Oleh (Oleh Certificate), which is your golden ticket to your oleh benefits and rights. Without the correct documents, you could face unnecessary delays—or even be unable to complete your aliyah process at that moment.

But that’s just the beginning. Over the next few weeks, you will need various official documents to register for essential services at various offices:

You’ll need your birth certificate and other proof of identity to receive your teudat zehut (Israeli ID card) from the Misrad Hapnim (Ministry of Interior).

Your Teudat Oleh and additional paperwork will be required to sign up for your Aliyah benefits from the Misrad Haklitah (Ministry of Aliyah and Integration).

You’ll need to show documentation to enroll in a Kupat Cholim (Health Fund).

Bank Account Setup: Some banks ask for additional identification and proof of immigration status.

Driver’s License Conversion: This is not as critical, but if you wish to drive in Israel, you may need to present your foreign driver’s license along with proof of aliyah.

Documents You Should Carry With You

Here’s a checklist of essential documents you should have in your carry-on bag (not in your checked suitcase!):

Passport

Birth Certificate (original with an apostille, if applicable)

Marriage Certificate (if relevant, also with an apostille)

Divorce Decree or Death Certificate (if applicable)

Name Change Documents (if relevant)

Proof of Jewish Status (letters from rabbis, conversion documents, etc.)

Aliyah Approval from The Jewish Agency

Academic Degrees and Transcripts (if you plan to work in a profession that requires certification)

Medical Records and Immunization History (especially for children entering school)

Driver’s License (for conversion purposes)

Any Other Relevant Legal Papers (such as custody agreements if you are immigrating with children from a previous marriage)

What If You Forget or Lose a Document?

If you packed your documents in a suitcase, you might be lucky and retrieve them quickly. However, if they are in your lift, you could be waiting weeks or even months before your shipment arrives—and that means weeks or months without access to the benefits you are entitled to. Imagine trying to open a bank account, register for healthcare, or sign up for government assistance without the necessary paperwork!

If your documents are lost in transit, you will need to contact the issuing authorities in your home country to obtain replacements. This can be a slow, expensive, and stressful process, especially when you are adjusting to a new life in Israel.

Make Copies and Digital Backups

Be sure to make multiple copies of all important documents. Keep a set with you, and another with a trusted friend or family member. Scan your paperwork and upload it to a secure cloud storage service (Google Drive, Dropbox, etc.). Also, keep a copy on a USB drive. Having a digital version can make it much easier to request a replacement.

Final Thoughts

Being prepared with all your necessary documents will make your transition to life in Israel smoother. Keep them safe. Keep them handy. And keep extra copies just in case.

Want to arrange for a melaveh (personal guide)? Looking for olim-friendly service providers in Israel? Write [email protected].

Listen to Olim Toolbox Talks every Sunday at 9 p.m. Israel time (2 p.m. EDT), at https://tinyurl.com/y2sj3z72.

Join our WhatsApp at https://chat.whatsapp.com/Ic8dNfdNlspGAPtmcCKtbf for more tips.