One office, two names
Nefesh B’Nefesh’s glossary lists Misrad HaPnim as the office responsible for citizenship, Israeli ID cards, changes of address, Israeli travel documents, birth certificates and visas. Its public name is the Population and Immigration Authority (רשות האוכלוסין וההגירה, rashut ha-ochlusin ve-ha-hagira), often shortened in English to PIBA.
Appointments for ID cards and travel documents are booked on govisit.gov.il, which has an English option. Nefesh B’Nefesh notes that each person over 16 who needs a Teudat Zehut needs a separate appointment, and that you can book at a branch in a different city from the one you live in. The authority’s phone line is *3450.
What olim usually go there for
| Service | The Hebrew name | What to know |
|---|---|---|
| Biometric ID card | תעודת זהות ביומטרית | The temporary card from the airport is valid for three months. Your first biometric card is free. See Teudat Zehut. |
| Change of address | שינוי כתובת | Online through your personal account with a government login, or at a self-service stand if you have a biometric ID. The new sefach is posted within five working days. |
| Travel document | תעודת מעבר | Olim can apply 90 days or three full months after aliyah, whichever is longer. It is biometric and valid for five years. |
| Passport | דרכון | Nefesh B’Nefesh notes that olim can no longer get an Israeli passport in the first year after aliyah. |
| Registry extract | תמצית רישום | A printout of your details in the population registry. The Tax Authority asks for one with the oleh purchase tax form. |
| Marital status or name | עדכון מצב אישי / שינוי שם | Updates to your registry details. Nefesh B’Nefesh warns that a name change can mean changing foreign documents too. |
Hebrew at the Population Authority
- רשות האוכלוסין וההגירהrashut ha-ochlusin ve-ha-hagiraPopulation and Immigration Authority, the office’s official name.
- משרד הפניםmisrad ha-pnimMinistry of the Interior. The name everyone uses for the office.
- לשכהlishkaBranch office of the authority.
- תורtorAppointment. Also your turn, or your place in the queue.
- תעודת זהות זמניתteudat zehut zmanitTemporary ID card, the one issued at the airport.
- תעודת זהות ביומטריתteudat zehut biometritBiometric (smart) ID card.
- ספחsefachThe paper appendix to the ID card, with your address and your spouse’s and children’s details.
- שינוי כתובתshinui ktovetChange of address.
- תעודת מעברteudat maavarTravel document, the Israeli travel document olim get before a passport.
- דרכוןdarkonPassport.
- תמצית רישוםtamtzit rishumRegistry extract: an official printout of your details.
- מרשם האוכלוסיןmirsham ha-ochlusinThe population registry.
- עמדה לשירות עצמיemda le-sherut atzmiSelf-service stand.
- אגרהagraFee for a document or service.
- מצב אישיmatzav ishiMarital status.
What to say at the counter
Male form first, female form second.
| English | Hebrew | Say it |
|---|---|---|
| I have an appointment for a biometric ID card. | יש לי תור לתעודת זהות ביומטרית. | yesh li tor le-teudat zehut biometrit |
| I’m here to apply for a Teudat Maavar. | באתי להגיש בקשה לתעודת מעבר. | bati lehagish bakasha le-teudat maavar |
| I moved and need to change my address. | עברתי דירה ואני צריך / צריכה לשנות כתובת. | avarti dira ve-ani tzarich / tzricha leshanot ktovet |
| I need a registry extract. | אני צריך / צריכה תמצית רישום. | ani tzarich / tzricha tamtzit rishum |
| My name is spelled differently in my passport. | השם שלי כתוב אחרת בדרכון. | ha-shem sheli katuv acheret ba-darkon |
| Where is the self-service stand? | איפה העמדה לשירות עצמי? | eifo ha-emda le-sherut atzmi |
| When will the card arrive? | מתי תגיע התעודה? | matai tagia ha-teuda |
| Can I pay by credit card? | אפשר לשלם בכרטיס אשראי? | efshar leshalem be-kartis ashrai |
| Can I get a printout with the tracking number? | אפשר לקבל תדפיס עם מספר המעקב? | efshar lekabel tadpis im mispar ha-maakav |
Read the SMS, the form and the sefach
The authority writes to you in Hebrew. baba translates the text messages, the forms and the sefach itself, and keeps names and ID numbers exactly as printed.
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- Paste an SMS, get plain English
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Frequently asked questions
Is Misrad HaPnim the same as the Population and Immigration Authority?
For olim, yes. The authority is part of the Interior Ministry, and it is the office people mean when they say Misrad HaPnim.
Can I book my ID appointment in another city?
Yes. Nefesh B’Nefesh notes that you can book at any branch, not only the one where you live, which helps when local appointments are scarce.
When can a new oleh travel on an Israeli document?
You can apply for a Teudat Maavar 90 days or three full months after aliyah, whichever is longer. Nefesh B’Nefesh notes that a passport is no longer issued in the first year.
Can I change my address online?
Yes, if you are in Israel and have a government login, through your personal account on gov.il. Some cases, such as a second move within 12 months, need a visit in person.
Official sources
Rules, amounts and deadlines change. Check the official page before you act on anything here.
- Nefesh B’Nefesh: Your first steps after making aliyahchecked September 29, 2026
- Nefesh B’Nefesh: Oleh glossarychecked September 29, 2026
- Nefesh B’Nefesh: Obtaining or renewing an Israeli passportchecked September 29, 2026
- gov.il: Change your addresschecked September 29, 2026
- gov.il: Purchase tax discount for olim (registry extract)checked September 29, 2026