The short answer
baba translates a Teudat Zehut and Sefach as a PDF (up to 20 pages) or by camera if you only have the printed page, so you can read what it says in your own language.
- The teudat zehut card itself carries limited information — name, ID number, and photo. The sefach (ספח, "appendix") is a separate attached document that carries address, marital status, children, and update history, and many olim don’t realise it exists or that it’s what several other institutions actually check.
- baba does not produce certified, sworn or notarised translations, and makes no claim about what any Israeli institution accepts.
What is a Teudat Zehut and Sefach?
Sent by: Issued by the Ministry of Interior / Population and Immigration Authority — the Israeli identity card (teudat zehut) plus its attached appendix document (sefach).
The teudat zehut card itself carries limited information — name, ID number, and photo. The sefach (ספח, "appendix") is a separate attached document that carries address, marital status, children, and update history, and many olim don’t realise it exists or that it’s what several other institutions actually check.
What it usually contains
- ID number, name, and photo (on the card itself)
- Registered address and marital status (on the sefach)
- Names of parents or children, where applicable (on the sefach)
- A history of updates recorded on the sefach
Hebrew terms and fields olim get wrong
- Not realising the sefach (ספח) exists as a separate document from the card, and that address, marital status, and family details live there rather than on the card itself.
- Assuming an address change updates itself, when it generally needs to be reported to update the sefach — some services key off the officially registered address rather than where someone actually lives.
- Losing or damaging a teudat zehut and delaying reporting it, when travel- and ID-dependent errands can stall without a valid card.
| Hebrew | Transliteration | English |
|---|---|---|
| תעודת זהות | teudat zehut | Israeli identity card |
| ספח | sefach | the attached appendix document (address, family status, updates) |
| מספר זהות | mispar zehut | ID number |
| כתובת מגורים | ktovet megurim | residential address |
| מצב משפחתי | matzav mishpachti | marital status |
| הורים | horim | parents (listed on the sefach for minors) |
| עדכון כתובת | idkun ktovet | address update |
| תוקף | tokef | validity |
| שינוי שם | shinuy shem | name change |
| פנקס תעודות זהות | pinkas teudot zehut | the older booklet-format ID document |
Deadlines and consequences to watch for
- An address change generally needs to be reported to update the sefach; some services (health fund registration, school zoning, voter registration) key off the officially registered address rather than actual residence.
- A lost or damaged teudat zehut needs to be reported and reissued at a Misrad HaPnim branch — ID-dependent errands, including some banking and government services, can stall without a valid card.
None of this is legal advice. Specific requirements for updates, reissues, or name changes should be confirmed directly with Misrad HaPnim.
How do I translate my own Teudat Zehut and Sefach?
Paper → camera
Photograph the document flat, in even light, with the whole page in frame, and translate the image. Printed official Hebrew, without vowel points, is the easiest case for camera translation.
File or scan → PDF
baba handles PDFs up to 20 pages per document, including scanned pages via built-in OCR — useful for a multi-page contract or a report packet.
PDF translation and camera translation of full documents and images are Pro features, available on a 7-day free trial. The free plan covers typed text: 2,500 characters per month with a free account, and 1,000 as a guest with no login. If you only need to check a phrase or a paragraph you can retype, start with typed-text translation for free; switch to Pro for the full document.
Frequently asked questions
What is a sefach and why does it matter?
The sefach (ספח) is a separate appendix document attached to your teudat zehut card. It carries your registered address, marital status, and family details — information the card itself doesn’t show.
Do I need to update my sefach when I move?
Generally yes — an address change needs to be reported to update the sefach, and several services check the officially registered address rather than where you actually live.
What do I do if I lose my teudat zehut?
Report it and request a reissue at a Misrad HaPnim branch. ID-dependent errands can stall without a valid card, so it’s worth doing promptly rather than working around it.
Can baba translate the fields on my sefach?
Yes — photograph it with even lighting and use camera translation, since it’s typically a printed page rather than a PDF file.
Is the older booklet-format ID (פנקס) the same as a modern teudat zehut?
They serve the same purpose but different formats have been issued over time. If you’re unsure which format you hold or whether it’s still valid, confirm with Misrad HaPnim directly.
What baba does not do
- baba tells you what the document says. A deadline, an appeal, a status decision, or a payment demand still warrants a person who knows the Israeli system — often the sending office itself, or a qualified lawyer, accountant, or advisor.
- baba does not produce certified, sworn or notarised translations, and makes no claim about what any agency, bank, employer, or institution will accept.
- PDF translation covers 20 pages per document; camera translation works best on printed text rather than handwriting.
- The free tier is 2,500 characters per month with a free account, or 1,000 as a guest with no login — enough for a short message, not a full document. See pricing.