print 
email SERVICE OF DOCUMENTS IN ISRAELPURSUANT TO THE HAGUE SERVICE CONVENTION
Israel and the United States are parties to the Convention on the Service Abroad of Judicial and Extrajudicial Documents in Civil or Commercial Matters, signed at The Hague on November 15, 1965.
It is our understanding that Israel will process a request for service of documents only if the request "emanates from a judicial authority or from the diplomatic or consular representation of a contracting state". It does not consider private attorneys to be officers of the court.
We have noted that Israel’s Central Authority under the Convention rejects requests for service showing an attorney or private party as the applicant—unless the request is forwarded through diplomatic channels, i.e. , sent by the Department of State to the American Embassy in Tel Aviv, which then transmits it to the Israeli Ministry of Foreign Affairs, which sends it to the Ministry of Justice, which ensures that it reaches the Central Authority. Since such rejections and transmission through diplomatic channels delay the service of documents, we suggest that persons seeking service in Israel put the name and address of a judge, clerk of court, or other judicial official in the space for information on the applicant, and have that official sign the service request. If that is not possible, a covering letter from the judge or clerk to the Director of Courts (Israel’s Central Authority) might enable the request to be served without going through diplomatic channels.
The request then may be sent directly to The Israeli Central Authority to the attention of Mr. Brian Zeitman,, Director of Courts, 22 Kanfei Nesharim St., Jerusalem, 95464. The telephone number is (972) (2) 655-6843. The fax number is (972) (2) 655-6846.
We understand that the Director of Courts generally serves documents by mail. If another method of service is required or preferred, that method should be specified and relevant laws or regulations should be cited in the space provided on the Request for Service Abroad of Judicial or Extrajudicial Documents.
This flyer was updated on May 19, 2000, and replaces the flyer issued August 31, 1984.
Return to Judicial Assistance Page
Other Government Websites |
