An inheritance order (tzav yerusha) is requested when there is no will: it declares who inherits under the law and each heir's share. A probate order (tzav kiyum tzava'a) is requested when there is a will: it declares the will valid, and rights under a will cannot be claimed without it. Both go to the Registrar of Inheritance Affairs; if the will covers only part of the estate, both orders are issued (Succession Law 1965, sections 39, 66 and 69, Hebrew(opens in a new tab)).
What is the difference?
| Inheritance order | Probate order | |
|---|---|---|
| When | No will, or property the will does not cover | There is a will |
| Declares | The heirs and each heir's share | That the will is valid |
| Who applies | Heirs, or heirs of an heir who died after the deceased | A beneficiary named in the will |
Where and how do you apply?
The competent Registrar is the one for the deceased's domicile at death or, if that was not in Israel, where estate assets are (Succession Regulations 1998, regulation 13).
Filing is through Registrar Online(opens in a new tab). Without a lawyer, one may file online or on paper; a lawyer files probate applications online only. After an online probate filing, the original will must reach the Registrar within seven days, as stated on the gov.il probate page(opens in a new tab) on 28 September 2026.
Which documents are usually attached?
Per the Ministry of Justice pages on 28 September 2026:
- For probate, the original will, or, if it is abroad and was probated there, the foreign order authenticated under section 30 of the Evidence Ordinance.
- A duly verified death certificate only if the deceased had no Israeli ID; if a holder died abroad, the death is first updated in the Population Registry.
- Proof that heirs or beneficiaries were notified by registered mail or in person.
- A power of attorney if a lawyer acts; proof of fee and publication payment.
- A lawyer-verified waiver affidavit from any heir who renounces a share.
Publication, objections and courts
The Registrar publishes notice, including in Reshumot, the official gazette, and allows at least two weeks for objections (section 67 and regulation 17, as read on 28 September 2026). An objection(opens in a new tab) needs a lawyer-verified affidavit and fee. In the cases listed in section 67A, including an objection, the file moves to the Family Court. A religious court may grant the orders only with the written consent of all parties concerned (section 155).
What should heirs living abroad know?
- A document made abroad, including a power of attorney, is proven through an Israeli diplomatic or consular officer, or a local notary authenticated by one (Evidence Ordinance, section 30, Hebrew(opens in a new tab)). In Hague Convention countries an apostille can replace this (1977 regulations, regulation 3).
- Foreign-language documents other than English need a notary-certified Hebrew or Arabic translation (regulation 54A).
- The Land Registry(opens in a new tab) does not accept a registration application verified by a consul; a lawyer or a registrar verifies it.
- Registrar Online issues copies of orders with an apostille.
What does the order not do?
It declares heirs and shares; it does not list or divide the assets (Rabbinical Courts page(opens in a new tab)). It binds everyone until amended or cancelled (section 71); the estate is divided after its debts are paid (section 107). Registering an apartment in the heirs' names is a further Land Registry step. For a deceased domiciled in Israel, a combined application for the order and its registration is available; the Ministry notes it may have legal consequences, including for an estate distribution agreement.
Is there inheritance tax in Israel?
A Knesset Research and Information Center review(opens in a new tab) dated 24 February 2022 (Hebrew) states that Israel has no inheritance or estate tax; the estate tax was abolished in 1981. Inheritance is not a sale under the Real Estate Taxation Law (section 4), but an heir's later sale may incur betterment tax, with a conditional exemption for an inherited apartment (section 49B(5)). Heirs abroad should also check local tax rules.
Official sources: Registrar Online(opens in a new tab), inheritance order(opens in a new tab), probate order(opens in a new tab), Succession Law (Hebrew)(opens in a new tab), Knesset review (Hebrew)(opens in a new tab).
The information on this page is general information and is not legal advice.