Having a Baby in Israel
Having a baby in Israel is a beautiful moment, but it also comes with paperwork.
If you are an oleh, an Anglo parent, or simply not used to Israeli bureaucracy, the documents, Hebrew terms, and government offices can feel confusing at first.
The good news is that most of the process is fairly standard. The hospital usually starts the paperwork, and later you may need to deal with Misrad HaPnim, Bituach Leumi, your kupat cholim, and possibly passport applications.
This guide gives you the basic Hebrew words and practical phrases you may need when registering a new baby born in Israel.
Documents You May Receive at the Hospital
After the birth, the hospital will usually provide several important documents and items.
These may include:
A temporary birth confirmation or birth certificate
The baby’s blue medical booklet
A letter or confirmation connected to Bituach Leumi
Hospital release forms
Information for registering the baby
Forms connected to the mother’s release from hospital
You may also be asked for bank details, either at the hospital or later, so that relevant payments from Bituach Leumi can be made.
Bituach Leumi and Child Allowance
In Israel, families may receive monthly child allowance from Bituach Leumi.
This is called:
קִצְבַּת יְלָדִים
kitzvat yeladim
child allowance
In many cases, the information is transferred automatically after the birth, but it is still important to make sure your bank details are correct and that the baby’s details are properly registered.
If you are not sure whether everything has been updated, you can check with Bituach Leumi or through your online account.
Misrad HaPnim
After the birth, you may need to deal with:
מִשְׂרַד הַפְּנִים
Misrad HaPnim
Ministry of Interior / Population Authority
This is where official population registry documents are handled.
Depending on your situation, the baby’s name and details may already be registered through the hospital, or you may need to complete the process yourself.
You may receive or request:
An official birth certificate
An updated sefach for the parents’ Teudat Zehut
The baby’s details added to the population registry
A birth certificate in Hebrew
A birth certificate in English, if needed for a foreign passport
If you plan to apply for a UK, US, or other foreign passport for the baby, it is often useful to request an English birth certificate.
Useful Words for Registering a New Baby
New baby: תִּינוֹק חָדָשׁ (tinok chadash)
Baby girl: תִּינוֹקֶת (tinoket)
Baby boy: תִּינוֹק (tinok)
Birth: לֵידָה (leida)
Birth certificate: תְּעוּדַת לֵידָה (teudat leida)
Temporary birth certificate: תְּעוּדַת לֵידָה זְמַנִּית (teudat leida zmanit)
Misrad HaPnim: מִשְׂרַד הַפְּנִים (Misrad HaPnim)
Bituach Leumi: בִּיטוּחַ לְאֻמִּי (Bituach Leumi)
Child allowance: קִצְבַּת יְלָדִים (kitzvat yeladim)
Teudat Zehut: תְּעוּדַת זֶהוּת (teudat zehut)
ID appendix / address slip: סֶפַח (sefach)
Spouse: בֶּן זוּג / בַּת זוּג (ben zug / bat zug)
Parents: הוֹרִים (horim)
Father: אַבָּא (aba)
Mother: אִמָּא (ima)
Name: שֵׁם (shem)
First name: שֵׁם פְּרָטִי (shem prati)
Family name: שֵׁם מִשְׁפָּחָה (shem mishpacha)
Bank details: פְּרָטֵי בַּנְק (pratei bank)
Medical booklet: פִּנְקַס רְפוּאִי (pinkas refu’i)
Blue booklet: פִּנְקַס כָּחוֹל (pinkas kachol)
Release form: מִכְתַּב שִׁחְרוּר (michtav shichrur)
Diapers: חִיתוּלִים (chitulim)
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