Notarial Prenuptial Agreement in Israel
A prenuptial agreement allows a couple to decide, in advance and in writing, how property, income, debts, gifts, inheritances and future assets will be treated during the relationship and if the relationship ends. A carefully drafted agreement can reduce uncertainty, but it must reflect the couple’s actual circumstances and must follow the legally required approval or authentication route.
Before marriage and after marriage: the essential distinction
Under Israeli law, a prenuptial agreement made before marriage may be authenticated by a notary, provided the notary is satisfied that the parties signed freely and understood the meaning and consequences of the agreement. Once the couple is married, a notary is not the approval authority; the agreement generally requires approval by the competent Family Court or religious court. Couples should therefore confirm their status and the correct route before signing.
Official court information for agreements requiring judicial approval: application to approve a financial agreement.
What can the agreement address?
Property owned by either party before the relationship or marriage.
The family home and the treatment of mortgage payments and improvements.
Bank accounts, investments, businesses, shares, pension rights and debts.
Gifts and inheritances, including income or replacement assets derived from them.
Property acquired together and the formula for ownership or reimbursement.
Financial management during the relationship and arrangements if the relationship ends.
Disclosure, valuation and practical mechanisms for implementing the agreement.
A prenuptial agreement does not replace a will. Estate planning and the agreement should be reviewed together where inheritance consequences matter.
The drafting and authentication process
Initial meeting and disclosure of the couple’s assets, debts, objectives and concerns.
Preparation of a tailored draft and explanation of its practical effect.
Time for each party to review the text and obtain independent legal advice where appropriate.
Revision and agreement on the final wording.
Signing and notarial authentication before marriage, with valid identification and any required supporting documents.
The notary’s role at authentication is not merely to witness signatures. The notary must be satisfied that the parties understand the agreement and are acting voluntarily. If a party does not understand the language of the agreement, a suitable translation and the correct certification route must be arranged.
2026 statutory notarial fees
The following statutory rates apply from 1 January 2026. Amounts are before VAT. They relate to the notarial authentication; legal drafting, negotiations, consultations and preparation of a bespoke agreement are separate legal services and are quoted according to the scope and complexity of the matter.
| Notarial service | 2026 statutory fee (before VAT) |
| Authentication of a prenuptial agreement before marriage | NIS 446 |
| Each additional certificate or copy issued at the same session | NIS 74 |
| If authentication requires translation by the notary | Add 50% of the applicable translation-certification fee below |
| Translation certification — first 100 words | NIS 251 |
| Each additional 100 words or part thereof, up to 1,000 words | NIS 197 |
| Each additional 100 words or part thereof above 1,000 words | NIS 99 |
| Additional certificate for the same translation | NIS 77 |
Annual update notice: these figures are for 2026 and should be manually replaced with the official 2027 tariff when it is published. The amount payable depends on the service actually performed, the number of copies, the length of any translation and VAT.
Check the official notarial service-fee page and the office’s notary fee schedule before publication or quotation.
Documents to prepare
Valid identification for both parties.
Details and documents for material assets, liabilities, companies and real estate.
Any existing agreement, draft, will or relevant foreign document.
Marriage date or planned marriage date and the country or authority involved.
Language and translation requirements for each party.
Common questions
Can one lawyer advise both parties? The agreement must be entered voluntarily and with informed understanding. Depending on the circumstances and interests involved, one or both parties may be advised to obtain independent legal advice.
Can a notary authenticate the agreement after the wedding? No. After marriage, the statutory approval route is generally the competent court or religious court, not notarial authentication.
Will the agreement resolve every future dispute? No agreement eliminates all risk. Clear disclosure, careful drafting, periodic review and coordination with wills and ownership documents improve its effectiveness.
For related information, see notary services in Israel, Hebrew–English notarial translation and contact the office.
