The Difference Between a Notary and a Lawyer in Israel

Who can be a notary?

A notary is a senior lawyer who has received a notary licence from a licensing committee appointed by the Minister of Justice.

Under section 2 of the Notaries Law, a notary is a member of the Israel Bar who has practised law for at least 10 years, of which at least five and a half in Israel, or through a special route for immigrants. The licence is granted by a licensing committee appointed by the Minister of Justice (section 1).

How do the roles differ?

A lawyer is loyal to the client and represents the client. A notary certifies documents and owes equal fidelity to all parties.

What does a notary do in Israel as well?

A notary is not only about "certificates for abroad". Some acts in Israel may be done before a notary, and some are not valid without one.

• Notarial will. A will before an authority may also be made before a notary: for this purpose a notary has the same status as a judge (section 22(g) of the Succession Law). If the testator asks, the notary can also deposit the will with the Registrar of Inheritance.
• Prenuptial agreement. A property agreement between spouses usually requires the approval of the Family Court or the religious court. An agreement made before the marriage can instead be authenticated by a notary, once the notary is satisfied that the couple understood it and agreed to it freely (section 2(c1) of the Spouses (Property Relations) Law; section 7(11) of the Notaries Law).
• General power of attorney, and power of attorney for a real estate transaction. A general power of attorney, and a power of attorney for a real estate transaction that requires registration in the Land Registry, are not valid unless a notary drew them up or authenticated the signatures on them (section 20(a)). The exception: a power of attorney given to a lawyer to act in a matter he is handling for the client, where the lawyer himself certified the client's signature (section 91 of the Israel Bar Association Law). When you appoint a family member, or anyone who is not a lawyer, you need a notary.
• Translation of foreign certificates and documents into Hebrew. Israeli authorities sometimes ask for a notarized translation of a certificate or document from abroad. An example from the legislation: a document in a foreign language submitted to the Registrar of Inheritance or to the court in inheritance matters must be accompanied by a Hebrew or Arabic translation certified by a notary, and for a document in English the registrar or the court may require one (regulation 54a of the Succession Regulations). The office translates from English to Hebrew and from Hebrew to English.
• A life certificate, affidavits and true copies (section 7 of the Law), where the requesting body requires a notarial certificate.

When must you use a notary for a document to be used abroad?

• Signature authentication, a true copy and drawing up a document that requires a notary, where the document is for use abroad or at a foreign mission in Israel, may be done only by a notary (section 8). An apostille from the Magistrates' Court is sometimes needed as well.
• Notarized translation from Hebrew to English, where the body abroad requires it. A notary certifies a translation only if he knows both languages and made or checked the translation himself (sections 7(4) and 15).

When is a lawyer enough?

• Signature authentication for use in Israel, where the receiving body does not require a notarial certificate.
• A power of attorney to the lawyer handling the matter, where the lawyer certified the signature on it (section 91 of the Israel Bar Association Law).
• A power of attorney to a bank for a mortgage transaction. Since Amendment No. 12 to the Notaries Law (2026), such a power of attorney is valid without a notary (section 20(a1)).
• Enduring (continuing) power of attorney. Signed before a lawyer trained by the Administrator General, not before a notary (section 32N of the Legal Capacity and Guardianship Law).

Why are notary fees the same at every office?

Because the Minister of Justice fixed them by regulation (section 46 of the Law). Charging more than the tariff, or less without sufficient reason, is a disciplinary offence (section 34(5)). A notary may waive the fee, in whole or in part, only in the cases set in regulation 1a of the Notaries (Fees for Services) Regulations: an applicant without means, a new immigrant or returning resident who presents confirmation from the Ministry of Aliyah and Integration, or correcting the notary's own error. Offices differ in availability, service and accuracy. You can work out the fee in advance with the fee schedule and calculator.

A notary and a lawyer in one office

Amos Ilan has been a lawyer since 2003 and is a notary (licence 214444). When a transaction needs both legal advice and a notarial certificate, for example a power of attorney to a family member for selling an apartment, both can be handled in one office. As a notary, he acts with equal fidelity to all parties.

Sources

• Notaries Law, 5736-1976: section 2 (eligibility), sections 7 and 8 (the notary's powers and reserved acts), section 10 (conflict of interest), section 15 (certifying a translation), section 20 (powers of attorney), section 22 (duty of fidelity), section 34 (disciplinary offences), section 46 (fees set by regulation). Hebrew text on Wikisource.
• Succession Law, 5725-1965: section 22(g) (a will before a notary). Succession Regulations, 5758-1998: regulation 54a (translation of a document in a foreign language).
• Spouses (Property Relations) Law, 5733-1973: section 2(c1) (authentication of a prenuptial agreement by a notary).
• Israel Bar Association Law, 5721-1961: section 91 (power of attorney to a lawyer).
• Notaries (Fees for Services) Regulations, 5739-1978: regulation 1a (fee exemption).
• Legal Capacity and Guardianship Law, 5722-1962: section 32N (signing an enduring power of attorney).

Checked on 11 November 2026.

More on this topic: Choosing a notary | Notary fees | Notarial will | Prenuptial agreement | Notarial power of attorney | Enduring power of attorney