Change of details in Israel’s Population Registry

The Israeli government maintains vital information about its citizens and residents in the Population Registry. Due to the importance of this database, there are very clear rules regarding updates or changes to the information stored in Israel’s Population Registry.

Our law firm specializes in visas, entry to Israel, and interactions with the Ministry of Interior. This article explains the processes required for updating personal details in the Population Registry.

The Importance of the Population Registry

The Population Registry is where the Israeli government stores personal details about its residents. These details are used by various authorities to ensure that residents can exercise their rights and fulfill their obligations.

What Information Is Recorded in the Registry?

The Population Registry includes the following personal details about Israeli citizens and residents:

• Last name, first name, previous names
• Parents’ names
• Date and place of birth
• Gender
• Nationality
• Religion
• Marital status
• Names of spouses and children
• Gender and birthdates of children
• Current and previous citizenships
• Mailing address and place of residence

Notification to the Registrar About Personal Information

Residents are required to notify the registrar of their details within 30 days of entering Israel for the first time or from the day they become residents. This requirement, like most rules regarding updates to the Population Registry, is specified in the Population Registry Law. Additional information can be found on the Population and Immigration Authority website.

Notifications about many changes in the registry are made by the relevant authority or court handling the action that caused the change. This applies to: marriages under the Marriage and Divorce Ordinance, civil union registrations, divorces, name changes, conversions, naturalizations, renunciations of citizenship, adoptions, and deaths. In other cases, the resident must notify the registrar of the change within 30 days.

Proof of Personal Information to the Registrar

It is crucial to bring the correct documentation when updating details in the Population Registry. A public certificate proving the change (such as for a child born to Israeli parents abroad or a gender change) must be submitted. For changes to registered addresses, no documentation is required unless it is the second change within 12 months.

Conflicts Between Reported Details and Existing Records

If a change or correction in the Population Registry contradicts other existing records, the chief registrar has the authority to investigate and initiate changes to the registry. Before making any changes, individuals affected by the registry entry will be given an opportunity to present evidence and objections. Such changes must be based on a public certificate.

The chief registrar is not permitted to change details related to religion, nationality, or marital status. These changes can only be made with the consent of the person whose details are being updated or via a court order from the Family Court.

Deleting Personal Details from the Population Registry

In some cases, children may wish to remove their parents’ names from their ID cards. A 2018 Family Court ruling in the case of John Doe vs Jane Doe determined that children listed under adoptive parents who abandoned or neglected them can request to remove these parents’ names. This requires applying to revoke the adoption decree under Section 19 of the Adoption of Children Law. A court order is needed, and once issued, the Population Authority will be instructed to delete the parents’ names from the child’s ID card.

In this case, the children requested to remove the adoptive parents’ last name but did not wish to reconnect with their biological parents. Due to a lack of connection with the biological parents, the court allowed the recognition of a “blank identity” status. The court recognized the child’s right to disassociate from an adoptive parent due to psychological harm caused by the adoption and the adoptive parent.

This recognition of a child’s right to delete a parent’s details from the Population Registry is a precedent-setting decision. However, it does not necessarily apply to other cases where children seek to delete parental details from ID cards. In such cases, it is advisable to consult a lawyer specializing in this field.

If you need to change your name or have questions about doing so, we have written a detailed article about name changes with the Ministry of Interior. If you’re wondering about the information currently listed in the registry, you can submit a request to receive a registry extract.

Contact Us

If you have additional questions about updating your details, those of your spouse, or your children, our office is here to assist you and help you find a solution for your specific situation.

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03-3724722

055-9781688

office@lawoffice.org.il