Temporary card, then the biometric card
Olim who arrive on an aliyah flight receive a temporary Teudat Zehut on arrival, together with a sefach (ספח, the paper appendix) that lists your address in Israel and the ID numbers of your immediate family (spouse and children). Nefesh B’Nefesh notes that this temporary card is valid for three months and is replaced, free of charge, with a biometric card by appointment at any Misrad HaPnim (Population and Immigration Authority) office.
Not everyone gets the temporary card on arrival. Nefesh B’Nefesh lists Ezrach Oleh, Katin Chozer and former A-1 visa holders as exceptions, so check their page for your status before your flight.
The main fields on the card and sefach, in Hebrew
These are the Hebrew labels on the card and the sefach, in the order you usually see them.
- מספר זהותmispar zehutID number. Nine digits; the last one is a check digit.
- שם משפחהshem mishpachaSurname.
- שם פרטיshem pratiFirst name.
- שם האבshem ha-avFather’s first name.
- שם האםshem ha-emMother’s first name.
- תאריך לידהtaarich leidaDate of birth.
- מקום לידהmekom leidaPlace of birth.
- מיןminSex. זכר (zachar) is male, נקבה (nekeva) is female.
- תאריך הנפקהtaarich hanpakaDate of issue.
- תוקףtokefValid until.
- ספחsefachThe paper appendix that goes with the card.
- מעןmaanAddress, on the sefach. The everyday word is כתובת (ktovet).
- מצב אישיmatzav ishiMarital status, on the sefach: רווק/ה single, נשוי/ה married, גרוש/ה divorced, אלמן/ה widowed.
- בן/בת זוגben / bat zugSpouse, listed on the sefach with their ID number.
- ילדיםyeladimChildren, listed on the sefach with their ID numbers.
What to say at Misrad HaPnim
Short phrases for the counter or the phone. Where the form changes with gender, both are given.
| English | Hebrew | Say it |
|---|---|---|
| I made aliyah and I need a biometric ID card. | עליתי ארצה ואני צריך / צריכה תעודת זהות ביומטרית. | aliti artza ve-ani tzarich / tzricha teudat zehut biometrit |
| I have an appointment. | יש לי תור. | yesh li tor |
| Here is my temporary ID card. | הנה תעודת הזהות הזמנית שלי. | hine teudat ha-zehut ha-zmanit sheli |
| I need to update my address. | אני צריך / צריכה לעדכן כתובת. | ani tzarich / tzricha le-adken ktovet |
| Can I get a new sefach? | אפשר לקבל ספח חדש? | efshar lekabel sefach chadash |
| Could you speak more slowly, please? | אפשר לדבר יותר לאט, בבקשה? | efshar ledaber yoter le-at, bevakasha |
Point your camera at the sefach
baba translates Hebrew documents from a photo, and keeps names, numbers and dates exactly as printed.
- Photo and PDF translation with baba Pro
- Replies to offices in polite Hebrew
- iPhone, Android and web
Get babaFree for iPhone and AndroidPoint your phone camera here. It opens baba if you have it, or the store if you don’t.
Frequently asked questions
Is the Teudat Zehut number the same as my passport number?
No. The Teudat Zehut number is a separate nine-digit Israeli ID number. It stays the same for life, even when you replace the card.
What does the sefach show?
Your address in Israel and the names and ID numbers of your spouse and children. It is paper, and it goes with the card.
Does baba produce an official translation of my ID?
No. baba translates so you can read the card and the letters about it. When an office needs an official translation, it usually asks for a notarized translation (תרגום נוטריוני), and the exact requirement depends on the office receiving it.
Official sources
Rules, amounts and deadlines change. Check the official page before you act on anything here.
- Nefesh B’Nefesh: Teudat Zehut, Israeli identificationchecked September 29, 2026
- gov.il: Receiving and activating a biometric ID cardchecked September 29, 2026