Criminal Record

A criminal record is a person's personal file in the police databases, containing all the criminal information about them, including convictions and court decisions. Anyone can view their own criminal record by going in person to a police station. A criminal record may hurt your chances of being hired for certain jobs, getting a visa abroad and more.

In this article we will review what a criminal record is, how to check whether you have one, what its consequences are and when it can be expunged.

Table of contents

• What is a criminal record?
• Criminal record consequences
• Criminal record check
• Certificate of no criminal record and certificate of good conduct
• Criminal record limitation period
• Criminal record expungement
• Cancelling a criminal record
• Cancelling a police record
• Criminal record in the army
• Special cases of criminal record expungement
• When should you get legal advice?
• FAQ about criminal records

What is a criminal record?

A criminal record brings together all the criminal decisions concerning a person and is kept in the Israel Police databases. It includes the convictions and decisions of the criminal courts concerning each person, and it does not include proceedings or police investigations that did not lead to an indictment.

Police criminal record - what is the difference between a criminal record and a police record?

A criminal record is created only when a person has been indicted, tried and found guilty in court or in a military court. This is unlike a police record, which includes closed files (investigations that did not lead to an indictment) that were closed for lack of evidence or lack of public interest.

Questioning under caution and criminal record - does an investigation create a record?

Questioning under caution does not create a criminal record, since such a record is created only after a conviction in court. However, questioning under caution automatically opens a police record known as MBD (pending determination). The open file records the fact that the person is a suspect under investigation. This status may change depending on the prosecution's decision at the end of the investigation.

No conviction and criminal record - can there be a record without a conviction?

Where a police investigation file does not end in an indictment and a conviction, the record is not part of the criminal record and remains in the police record only.

A non-conviction occurs when a person has been indicted and the court finds that, although the person is guilty of the charges, it chooses not to convict them because of certain circumstances. Such a record does not appear as a regular criminal conviction, but it is kept in the internal police databases. However, probation orders, orders to refrain from committing an offense and community service orders will appear in the criminal record even if they were issued without a conviction.

Traffic criminal record - are traffic offenses included in the criminal record?

In most cases, traffic offenses are not included in the criminal record, since the State of Israel maintains a separate register for traffic offenses – called the traffic register, which is kept by the Licensing Authority and the police. In certain cases a traffic offense becomes a criminal one, and the offense will then be entered in the offender's criminal record. These are serious cases involving gross negligence or aggravating circumstances, for example: a hit-and-run accident, causing death by negligence in a road accident, driving under the influence of alcohol or drugs, or knowingly driving while disqualified.

Criminal record consequences - how can the record affect you?

A criminal record can significantly affect the personal and professional life of the person who committed the offenses. Among other things: restrictions on being hired for certain positions, difficulties obtaining visas to foreign countries, an effect on the IDF enlistment process, and the inability to obtain a certificate of good conduct until the file reaches its limitation period or is expunged.

Professions from which a person with a criminal record is barred

A criminal record prevents its holder from practicing certain professions. Various laws make obtaining a license to practice certain professions conditional on not having a criminal record. Among them: law, the judiciary, notaries, accountancy, tax advisers (in cases of fraud and deception offenses), as well as medicine, nursing and pharmacy (under certain conditions). In addition, a person with a criminal record cannot be hired by the Israel Police, the Israel Prison Service, the Israel Security Agency (Shin Bet) and the Mossad, or the civil service (in positions requiring a security or criminal background check). Furthermore, a person with a criminal record will find it difficult to work in security and guard positions because of the difficulty of obtaining a firearms license.

Firearms license with a criminal record

A criminal record does not automatically and absolutely rule out the possibility of carrying a firearm, but in practice a criminal or police record is one of the most common reasons for rejecting an application for a firearms license and even for revoking an existing license.

Joining the police with a criminal record

A criminal record is a significant obstacle (and may even block the possibility) to joining the police, although it is not a threshold condition. The case of a person with a criminal record applying to the police will be examined individually according to the type of record, the severity of the offense and the time that has passed since the offense was committed.

Criminal record and a US visa, and criminal records at embassies

People with a criminal record cannot use the ESTA system (visa waiver) and must therefore submit a full visa application through the US Embassy. Not every criminal record will lead to a visa refusal, but it creates difficulties, and ultimately the consul will examine the application according to the severity of the offense and the time that has passed. For certain offenses, special approval can be requested from the US immigration authorities on the consul's recommendation, in a procedure called a Waiver.

Criminal record check

A criminal record check is carried out in accordance with the Criminal Information Law. Every person may view the criminal and police information held about them free of charge,and is entitled to receive a printout of the information at a police station for their personal review (but the law prohibits passing it on to employers or unauthorized parties).

Certificate of no criminal record and certificate of good conduct - which document do you need?

A certificate of no criminal record, also known as a "certificate of good conduct", is officially called a "criminal information certificate". This document is issued only by the Israel Police. The document required from the police varies according to the need: for an Israeli employer – a printout of the information cannot be obtained from the police, but bodies authorized by law can request the information and receive it directly from the police. If the certificate of good conduct is needed for use abroad or for foreign missions, a dedicated application must be submitted through the Israeli government website or at a police station so that the certificate is sent directly to the requesting body (sometimes with an apostille stamp).

Certificate of no criminal record

A certificate of no criminal record is a police confirmation stating that the person has no criminal record. In principle, in Israel it is forbidden to require a person to present criminal information about themselves (when applying for a job, being accepted into a community, etc.), except for bodies authorized by law to receive the information directly from the police. A criminal information certificate for foreign missions is issued by the police following a formal application and is sent directly to the requesting body.

When is a certificate of good conduct required?

A certificate of good conduct (or criminal information certificate) is a police document confirming whether or not a person has a criminal record. It is required when the law mandates a criminal background check to ensure a candidate's suitability for a sensitive position, a special legal procedure, or at the request of an authorized authority abroad.

Certificate of good conduct from the police online

An application for a criminal or traffic information certificate for foreign (non-Israeli) bodies can be submitted online through the government services and information website. However, a physical copy of the certificate of good conduct cannot be obtained directly from the website, since under the Criminal Information and Rehabilitation Law, 5779-2019, this certificate is sent directly to the requesting body. A person who wishes to view their own criminal record must go to a police station and view the information in person.

Traffic criminal record certificate

An application for a criminal or traffic information certificate (or both together) can be submitted through the Israeli government website or in person at any police station. This document contains the holder's entire criminal or traffic record and is intended for foreign authorities or authorized bodies.

Form confirming no criminal record - when is a declaration required and when is a certificate required?

In most private-sector workplaces, employers are completely prohibited from requiring an employee to provide a certificate or declaration regarding their criminal past (and such a demand is a criminal offense on the employer's part). By contrast, a certificate of no criminal record – that is, an official police confirmation - is required by certain bodies for certain jobs, such as work with minors and vulnerable people, government and security positions and more. A certificate of no criminal record is also required in other cases, such as applications for visas or foreign citizenship, or in adoption proceedings.

Criminal record limitation period - how long does the record remain?

Under Israeli law, for a criminal record to be expunged it must go through two stages: a limitation period and an expungement period. The length of these stages depends on the severity of the sentence and the type of offense.

Criminal record limitation period

The limitation period is counted from the date the judgment or sentence was given and lasts several years (depending on the type of offense and the severity of the sentence). At the end of this period, the number of bodies with access to the information is reduced.

Criminal record expungement period

At the end of the limitation period, the expungement period begins, and its length is also affected by the severity of the offense and the sentence and by the existence of other offenses. At the end of the expungement period, the criminal record will be visible only to a very limited number of security and official bodies.

What is the difference between the limitation period and expungement of a criminal record?

The limitation period of a criminal record is the stage before its expungement.As a rule, for criminal convictions the expungement stage begins only at the end of the limitation period. The difference between the periods lies in the range of bodies authorized to view the information

When is a criminal record expunged?

A criminal record is expunged after the limitation period and at the end of the expungement period – the length of these stages being affected by the severity of the sentence and the conviction, as well as by the existence of other convictions/offenses. At the same time, it is important to emphasize that the record is not deleted completely – that is, it does not physically disappear from police systems – but access to it is restricted to very specific bodies.

Is a criminal record expunged automatically after 7 years?

A criminal record is not expunged automatically after 7 years. For a criminal record to be expunged, it must go through a "limitation" stage and an "expungement" stage. The limitation stage usually ranges from 4 to 7 years – depending on the severity of the offense and the sentence – while the expungement period ranges from a further 5-10 years. When it comes to deleting closed police files (police records) here, files closed on grounds of "lack of evidence" or "lack of public interest" are supposed to be deleted automatically by the police after 7 years.

Criminal record expungement - in which cases can the record be shortened or cancelled?

Expungement of a criminal record resulting from a court conviction takes place after the limitation period and the expungement period set by law have passed. These periods can be shortened or cancelled through a pardon application to the President of the State. This is the only legal route for early cancellation of a criminal record.

How do you expunge a criminal record?

A criminal record is expunged automatically once the period set by law has passed, after the limitation period and the expungement period. If the record holder wishes to shorten or cancel the record, they must submit a pardon application to the President of the State. It is important to emphasize that "expungement" is not physical and the record remains in the police database, but after expungement it is blocked from view for most bodies in Israel.

Expungement of a criminal record without a conviction

Expungement of a criminal record without a conviction refers to a situation in which a person was indicted and found guilty of the charges, but the judge chose not to convict them because of certain circumstances. Where guilt was established without a conviction but a probation order or community service order was imposed, the record is expunged automatically at the end of the expungement period set by law (usually 5 years). A pardon application to the President of the State is needed only if you wish to have it expunged early, before that time has passed.

In cases of closed investigation files (police records), a file closed on grounds of 'lack of guilt' is deleted from the records immediately. By contrast, a file closed on grounds of 'insufficient evidence' or 'the circumstances of the case do not justify prosecution' is cancelled automatically after 5 years (for a misdemeanor) or 7 years (for a felony). To cancel the record earlier, you must apply to change the grounds for closure to 'lack of guilt' or apply to delete the police record."

Application to expunge a criminal record

An application to expunge a criminal record usually requires waiting for the limitation and expungement periods. If it is necessary to shorten or cancel them, a pardon application must be submitted to the President of the State.

How long does it take to expunge a criminal record?

By law, expunging a criminal record involves two periods – the limitation period and the expungement period – and the total time varies from offense to offense, depending on the sentence and on any additional criminal record. If the record holder wishes to shorten the expungement period through a pardon from the President of the State, processing the application is expected to take anywhere from several months to a year.

Criminal record expungement price - how much does it cost?

Submitting a pardon application to expunge a criminal record (after a conviction) involves no government fee, and anyone can apply on their own. However, in many cases record holders prefer to use a criminal lawyer to handle the case, and here the fee depends on the complexity and severity of the offense and on the lawyer's experience and expertise.

Cancelling a criminal record

A criminal record is created as a result of a court conviction, and to cancel it, a limitation and expungement period or a pardon from the President of the State is required.

Cancelling a police record - what do you do in the case of a closed file?

A police record is created as a result of an investigation file that was closed without an indictment, and it is deleted through the police or the prosecution by an application to cancel the criminal record or to change the grounds for closure.

Israel Police criminal record expungement

A police record is deleted in accordance with the Criminal Information and Rehabilitation Law. A file closed on grounds of "lack of guilt" is deleted automatically immediately after the decision in the file is made. For files closed on other grounds, you can apply to change the grounds for closure to "lack of guilt" or wait for the record to be cancelled automatically after 5 years (for a misdemeanor) or 7 years (for a felony), and you can also submit a proactive application for its deletion in accordance with the criteria set by law.

Expungement of a closed file record

The record of a closed police file (closed for lack of evidence or lack of public interest) can be deleted in two main ways: changing the grounds for closure to "lack of guilt" – so that the record is deleted entirely – or applying to cancel the police record after the cooling-off period set by law (felony – 5 years for a minor and 7 years for an adult; misdemeanor – 3 years for a minor and 5 years for an adult).

Lack of public interest and criminal record - does a police record remain?

When a police file is closed on grounds of "lack of public interest" (officially: the circumstances of the case as a whole do not justify prosecution), no criminal record of a conviction remains, but an internal police record remains in the police databases.

Criminal record in the army - what are the rules for military convictions?

Usually, a conviction in a military court leads to a criminal record in the police register. However, military law distinguishes between disciplinary proceedings, which do not create a criminal record, and court convictions, which do (and which are themselves divided into a reduced criminal record and a full criminal record).

Military criminal record and reduced criminal record

A full criminal record is created when a conviction in a military court comes with significant prison sentences beyond the threshold set by law, and it stays with the offender going forward. A reduced criminal record is given for misdemeanor offenses (offenses punishable by up to 3 years' imprisonment), provided that a light sentence was imposed. In cases of a reduced record, the record is passed on to a limited number of bodies and reaches its limitation period and is expunged after only five years.

Desertion and criminal record

Desertion from the IDF may lead to a conviction in a military court and a criminal record. The nature of the record depends on the length of the desertion and the severity of the sentence. Thus, imprisonment of less than 90 days will lead to a reduced criminal record that will be expunged after five years. A longer sentence (or repeat offenses) will create a full criminal record.

Expungement of a criminal record in the army and expungement of a military criminal record

Expungement of a military criminal record or a criminal record in the army is carried out through a pardon application to the President or an application to the Chief of Staff for a reduction of the sentence and the record. (By contrast, a special military committee headed by the Chief Education Officer is authorized to recommend to the President the expungement of a civilian criminal past accumulated before enlistment.)

Special cases of criminal record expungement

There are special cases in which people with a criminal record receive significant relief that gives priority to rehabilitation.

Expungement of a criminal record for a minor and expungement of criminal records for minors

The limitation and expungement periods for minors are significantly shorter than for adults. Where the proceedings ended without a conviction in juvenile court, the expungement period begins on the date of the judgment (with no separate limitation period).

Expungement of a cannabis criminal record

Possession of cannabis for personal use is now considered an administrative rather than a criminal offense in Israel, so for the first two times no criminal file is opened, only a fine is imposed – and the record is an internal police record only, not a criminal one. For a third cannabis offense, the offender will be referred to a conditional arrangement, while on the fourth occasion a regular criminal file may be opened. For people with old records for these offenses, there is a dedicated pardon track for expunging the criminal record (convictions), alongside a shortened track for cancelling the police record.

Expungement of criminal records for Ethiopian immigrants

In recent years, the Knesset passed the Expungement of Criminal and Police Records of Ethiopian Immigrants Law, 5784-2024. This law provides for the automatic expungement of records for public order offenses committed up to the end of 2020 (for those who were not sentenced to imprisonment). The expungement is carried out by the police with no need to submit an application.

Expungement of criminal records for reservists and for Swords of Iron

Following the "Swords of Iron" war, a special pardon track was launched by the President of the State and the Ministry of Justice. This track allows reservists who served significantly during the war to submit a lenient application for expungement of a criminal record for offenses committed before enlistment or between their release from regular service and the war.

Criminal record expungement lawyer - when should you get legal advice?

A criminal record can harm its holder's personal and professional life – whether in getting a job, wanting to adopt children, obtaining a particular professional license, getting a visa abroad and more. If the criminal record is a burden on the offender, it is advisable to seek legal advice so that a lawyer can help expunge or cancel the record or submit a pardon application to the President of the State. Police files that were closed on grounds other than lack of guilt can also make life difficult, so in these cases too, if there is any concern about this, it is advisable to get legal advice.

FAQ about criminal records

What is a criminal conviction?

A criminal conviction is a court's determination that the defendant is guilty of the criminal offense attributed to them in the indictment. A conviction in a criminal trial is entered in the criminal register and is accompanied by a sentence imposed by the court.

Why do you need a certificate of good conduct?

A certificate of good conduct, or criminal information certificate, is a government document attesting to a person's criminal history or to the absence of a criminal record. It is required to prove reliability and law-abiding behavior in various situations – such as working with vulnerable populations, emigrating, obtaining special licenses and more.

How can I get a certificate regarding my criminal record?

Israeli law provides that a person may go to any police station and receive a printout of their criminal and police information for their personal review only (the law prohibits employers from requiring or receiving this printout). When an official certificate is required for an embassy or a foreign body abroad, a dedicated application can be submitted and the certificate will be sent directly to the foreign mission.

Are a criminal record and a police record the same thing?

These are two separate types of records kept in the police databases, and they differ in their severity, their source and the extent to which various bodies can see them. A criminal record documents criminal convictions in court, while a police record documents police investigations that ended without an indictment and without a conviction.

Can you check another person's criminal record?

Under the Criminal Register Law, criminal and police information is confidential, so a person may receive information only about themselves. There are exceptions, such as the guardian of a legally incapacitated person or a lawyer holding a power of attorney for this purpose. In addition, certain bodies authorized by law may receive information from the criminal record.

Can you check a criminal record by ID number?

No, in Israel a criminal record cannot be checked by ID number alone, and additional identity verification is required.

Can an employer check an employee's criminal record?

An employer in Israel may not ask or require an employee or job candidate to provide a criminal record printout (certificate of good conduct) or oblige them to disclose such information. Such a demand is contrary to the Criminal Information and Rehabilitation Law and constitutes a criminal offense.

Does questioning under caution create a criminal record?

Questioning under caution does not create a criminal record but a police record (an MBD file – pending determination). A criminal record is created only after a conviction in court. Questioning under caution creates a police record attesting to the very fact that the investigation took place.

Does a closed file remain in the police record?

It depends on the grounds on which the file was closed. A file closed for "lack of guilt" will be deleted immediately once the decision is made; for files closed on other grounds (lack of evidence or lack of public interest), the record will remain in the internal police database.

Is a criminal record expunged automatically?

A criminal record is expunged automatically by law after the limitation period and the expungement period (these periods are set according to the severity of the offense and the sentence). However, it is important to note that this is not complete "deletion", but rather a restriction of access to the information to certain parties only.

After how many years is a criminal record expunged?

A criminal record of a conviction is expunged automaticallyat the end of the limitation period plus an expungement period ranging from 4 to 10 years (depending on the severity of the sentence). In proceedings that ended without a conviction, there is no limitation period at all, and the expungement period is 5 years from the date of the decision..

What is the difference between the limitation period and expungement of a criminal record?

For a criminal record to be expunged, it must go through two stages – the limitation stage and the expungement stage. The expungement stage begins only after the limitation stage ends. After the limitation stage, access to the criminal record information is reduced, and after the expungement stage it is reduced even further.

How do you cancel the record of a closed file?

When there is a record of a closed police file, there are two ways to cancel it. One way is to change the grounds for closure to "lack of guilt", and the other is to submit an application to cancel the police record.

Can an Israel Police criminal record be expunged without a pardon?

Definitely. You can delete or cancel the police record of closed files through the police, or wait for convictions to be expunged automatically without applying to the President.

Can you apply to expunge a criminal record on your own?

Yes. Anyone may submit an application to expunge a criminal record or police record themselves, without the help of a lawyer. However, precise legal wording and presenting the arguments in a certain way are sometimes required – and these can be complex without legal advice.

How long does it take to expunge a criminal record?

From the moment a person is convicted until their criminal record is expunged (without intervention), many years can pass (up to about 17 years). When a person submits a pardon application, processing takes anywhere from several months to about a year from the date of submission.

How much does criminal record expungement cost?

The cost of expunging a criminal record varies according to the type of procedure. Submitting an application on your own involves almost no state fees – for both police and criminal records. Legal fees for representation and advice vary according to the complexity of the case and the lawyer's expertise.

What is the difference between a certificate of no criminal record and a certificate of good conduct?

There is no substantive difference between these terms. "Certificate of good conduct" is the common name for a document officially called a "certificate of no criminal record". Both terms refer to the same document issued by the police.

Do traffic offenses create a criminal record?

In most cases, traffic offenses do not create a criminal record but only a traffic record. However, serious traffic offenses (hit-and-run, driving under the influence of drugs or alcohol, etc.) are offenses whose conviction may lead to a criminal record.

Can I become a lawyer if I have a criminal past?

Yes, but it depends on the severity of the offense, the circumstances and whether the conviction involves "moral turpitude". Under the Israel Bar Association Law, the Bar may refuse to admit a candidate who was convicted of a criminal offense if it believes the act undermines the integrity of the profession. An old or minor conviction will not automatically rule out practicing law.

What is the limitation period for criminal offenses?

The limitation period for criminal offenses varies from case to case and depends on the type of offense and the severity of the sentence.

When should you turn to a criminal record expungement lawyer?

A criminal or police record can be a burden on its holder and prevent rehabilitation, earning a living and, in general, getting on with their personal and professional life. An experienced lawyer specializing in criminal record expungement can help expunge it, change the grounds for closing the file (in cases of a police record) and submit a pardon application to the President of the State. Professional, experienced legal representation can benefit anyone who has been questioned by the police, charged or convicted – so that they can put the past behind them and start afresh without a stigma or criminal record on their back.

This information does not replace legal representation or advice.