As part of the Aliyah application process, particularly in non-standard cases, applicants may be required to submit a criminal background check (also known as a police clearance certificate or certificate of good conduct) from their country (or countries) of residence. This requirement ensures that individuals immigrating to Israel under the Law of Return do not pose a security or public safety risk.
Whether youโre a recent convert, an applicant with prior arrests or legal issues, or someone applying from within Israel, itโs important to understand how background checks work and what documents you may need.
Who Needs a Background Check?
While not all applicants are automatically required to provide a background check, you may be asked to submit one if:
- You are applying for Aliyah from within Israel on a tourist or temporary visa
- You have previous arrests, charges, or convictions (even if they were dropped or expunged)
- You have served time in prison or completed probation
- The Ministry of Interior (Misrad HaPnim) requests it for security clearance
- You are applying with incomplete or inconsistent documentation
- Your case involves conversion, humanitarian Aliyah, or a name change
Some Jewish Agency offices and shlichim (emissaries) request background checks as part of the pre-screening process, particularly in North America, South Africa, and Latin America.
What Is a Background Check?
A background check is an official document issued by a police or government authority stating whether or not you have a criminal record. It may go by different names depending on your country:
| Country | Document Name |
|---|---|
| United States | FBI Identity History Summary (FBI Background Check) |
| Canada | RCMP Criminal Record Check |
| UK | ACRO Police Certificate |
| South Africa | SAPS Police Clearance Certificate |
| Australia | National Police Certificate |
| France | Bulletin No. 3 (Casier Judiciaire) |
| Russia | Certificate of No Criminal Record |
| Israel | Teudat Miyun (ืชืขืืืช ืืืืข ืคืืืื) โ obtained by Misrad HaPnim |
What Should the Document Include?
A valid background check should:
- Be issued by a national-level authority (not just local police)
- Contain your full name, date of birth, and passport number
- Clearly state your criminal history or confirm you have no criminal record
- Be issued within the last 6 months
- Be apostilled or authenticated, depending on your country
- Be translated into Hebrew (by a certified translator) if not in English/Hebrew
When to Submit It
- Ideally, submit the background check with your initial application
- If not requested initially, you may be asked later during your Jewish Agency or Misrad HaPnim interview
- If applying from within Israel, it may be required before approval of Aliyah status
How to Get a Background Check by Country
United States โ FBI Identity History Summary
- How to apply:
Online at https://www.edo.cjis.gov - Processing time: 1โ2 weeks (faster with electronic fingerprinting)
- Apostille: Required for Israeli use โ request from the U.S. Department of State
- Translation: May be needed if not in Hebrew
Canada โ RCMP Check
- Apply via an accredited fingerprinting agency
- Requires digital fingerprinting and may take 2โ4 weeks
- Apostille not required (Canada is not in the Hague Apostille Convention), but authentication and legalization via the Israeli consulate is needed
UK โ ACRO Certificate
- Apply at https://www.acro.police.uk
- Choose โPolice Certificateโ for immigration
- Processing time: 1โ3 weeks
- No apostille required if submitting through UK shaliach; may need notarization if applying from Israel
South Africa โ SAPS Clearance
- Apply through local SAPS office or private fingerprinting service
- Processing: 6โ10 weeks
- Apostille required from DIRCO
- Must be translated into Hebrew
Australia โ National Police Certificate
- Apply via your state police or online via https://www.afp.gov.au
- Apostille required for Israeli submission
- Processing: 1โ2 weeks
What If I Have a Criminal Record?
If your background check reveals past offenses, donโt panic โ but be prepared to explain them. The Jewish Agency and Ministry of Interior will evaluate the:
- Nature of the offense (violent vs. non-violent)
- Recency (how long ago it occurred)
- Severity (felony vs. misdemeanor)
- Rehabilitation efforts
- Pattern (isolated incident vs. multiple offenses)
You will likely be asked to submit:
- A personal letter of explanation
- Proof of rehabilitation (completion of parole, therapy, community service)
- Character reference letters (from rabbis, employers, counselors)
- Documentation showing no recent criminal activity
Special Considerations
| Situation | Guidance |
|---|---|
| Multiple citizenships | You may need background checks from each country youโve lived in for more than 6โ12 months in the past 10 years |
| Name change | Provide previous names and documentation of the change |
| Sealed records | Clarify this in your affidavit and provide proof if possible |
| Juvenile record | May still need to be disclosed depending on the jurisdiction |
How Easy Aliyah Can Help
At Easy Aliyah, we understand that obtaining a background check can be confusing and time-consuming โ especially when apostilles, translations, and embassies are involved.
We help Olim:
- Determine which background checks are needed
- Draft official letters of request or explanation
- Assist in apostille, notarization, and certified translation
- Prepare your personal statement if you have a criminal record
- Liaise with Israeli authorities to ensure smooth submission
Contact Easy Aliyah and weโll walk you through every step of the background check process โ no stress, no missed deadlines.
Background Check Submission Checklist
| Item | Done? |
|---|---|
| Criminal record certificate obtained | |
| Apostilled / authenticated | |
| Translated into Hebrew | |
| Submitted with Aliyah file | |
| Explanation letter included (if applicable) |