eSignature Legality in Israel

E-Signature Legality Summary

This guide explains the electronic-signature framework in Israel, including the governing laws, legal effect, accepted signature methods, validity requirements, exclusions and practical business uses.

Applicable Laws

Electronic Signature Law 5761-2001, as amended

Legal Status

Electronic records and signatures receive legal recognition in Israel under Electronic Signature Law 5761-2001, as amended. The signing process must also satisfy every document-specific rule on identity, evidence, delivery, retention, witnessing, notarization, registration or filing.

Regulatory Authority

Privacy Protection Authority, Israel

Legal Recognition (Effect)

A certified Electronic Signature (SES), or another Electronic Signature that satisfies a signature requirement with sufficient certainty in the circumstances, is functionally equivalent to a handwritten signature, pursuant to Article 2 of the Electronic Signature Law.

Accepted Types of Electronic Signatures

Secure electronic signature

Certified electronic signature (the CAs on the official website are all local CAs; no foreign international CAs have been found for now)

Electronic signature: an electronic signature of electronic information or an electronic mark attached to or linked to an electronic message

Secure electronic signature:

• (1) unique to the owner of the signing means;
• (2) it allows the apparent identification of the owner of the signing means;
• (3) it is produced by means of a signing means under the exclusive control of the signing means;
• (4) it is capable of identifying changes made to the electronic message after the date of signing;
• Certified electronic signature: a secure electronic signature issued by an authorized entity in respect of an approved electronic certificate, which certificate relates to the certification means of the signature identifying its identity;

An Electronic Signature (SES) is electronic information or an electronic mark attached to or linked with an electronic message. A secure Electronic Signature (SES) must be unique to the owner of the signing method, permit apparent identification of that owner, be generated through a signing method under the owner’s exclusive control, and permit identification of any alteration made to the electronic message after signing. A certified Electronic Signature (SES) is a secure Electronic Signature (SES) issued by an authorized entity under an approved electronic certificate that identifies the holder of the certified signing method.

Legal Requirements for Electronic Signatures

Secure electronic signature:

A legally effective signing process should preserve evidence of:

• the signer's intention to sign and the parties' consent to use an electronic process;
• reliable identification and attribution of the signature to the signer;
• integrity of the signed record and detection of later changes;
• delivery of, access to and reproduction of the final signed record;
• timestamps, authentication events and a complete audit trail; and
• every certificate, witness, notarization, registration, filing or retention requirement that governs the transaction.

Limitations and Exceptions

1. A will under Section 1965 or Section 1965 pursuant to Sections 20-22 of the Succession Law (hereinafter - the Succession Law) requires the use of a certified electronic signature

2. A memorandum of understanding regarding an oral will under Section 23(b) of the Succession Law requires the use of a certified electronic signature

3. Document types for which electronic signatures cannot be used: a handwritten will under Section 19 of the Succession Law.

Industry Applications and Typical Use Cases

Supported in most scenarios

Electronic signatures support commercial contracts, sales and procurement, employment documentation, internal approvals and customer onboarding when the governing document and sector rules are satisfied.

For regulated or cross-border workflows, record the governing law, required assurance level, signer-authentication method, evidence package, retention period and receiving-party requirements before launch.