Cross-Border Jurisdictional Protocol
Israel acceded to the Hague Service Convention in 1972, designating the Directorate of Courts in Jerusalem as its Central Authority. Israel's declaration on Article 10(b) and (c) is unusually worded: rather than an outright objection, it states that service will be effected only through the Directorate of Courts when the request comes from a judicial authority or diplomatic/consular representative — language U.S. courts have nonetheless construed as an effective objection to those alternative channels. Documents must generally be translated into Hebrew, though English or Arabic may suffice if the recipient is presumed to understand that language.
We submit the Hague request to the Directorate of Courts in Jerusalem, Israel's designated Central Authority, and track it through to a certificate of service.
Start an Israel Central Authority filing →Israel accepts Hebrew, English, or Arabic depending on the presumed language ability of the recipient. We assess the right choice and prepare a certified translation accordingly.
Prepare a compliant translation →Israeli procedure allows a family member 18 or older at the same address to accept documents, and permits a court clerk to post the document on the door after a third unanswered visit as valid substituted service.
Discuss substituted service options →Complete National Jurisdiction
Active network of local agents, court officers, and Central Authority specialists covering every administrative region.
All international document handoffs are executed pursuant to local sovereignty statutes and returned with court-certified evidentiary declarations.
Judicial Knowledge Base
Yes, since 1972, with the Directorate of Courts in Jerusalem designated as the Central Authority.
Israel's declaration on Article 10(b) and (c) is unusually worded rather than a flat objection, but U.S. courts have construed it as effectively closing those direct channels, so the Directorate of Courts route is the more defensible option.
Documents are generally translated into Hebrew, though English or Arabic can be used if the recipient is presumed to understand that language. If the addressee doesn't understand the language provided, they may refuse the document, and the Central Authority will require a Hebrew translation at the requesting party's expense.
Typically one to four months, and there is no fee charged by Israeli authorities for Convention-based service.
A family member at least 18 years old at the same address can accept documents on the recipient's behalf, and if a court clerk makes three unanswered visits, posting the document on the door is treated as valid legal service.
Consult with our international legal support specialists about service of process in Israel.