Type of marriage

Will we be registered at Interior Ministry as “married”?

Will our children be mamzers?

Process for getting divorced

How do I protect myself?

Ceremony through the State Rabbinate

Yes

Not mamzerim

Must obtain a "get" through the State Rabbinate. Without a get, any children of the women with a new partner will be mamzerim.

We strongly recommend signing CWJ's Contract for a Just and Fair Marriage

Ceremony with an Orthodox Rabbi but not through the State Rabbinate

No

Not mamzerim

Halakhically, must obtain a “get”. If the Rabbinate finds out, they will require a get through the State Rabbinate. Without a get, any children of the women with a new partner will be mamzerim.

We strongly recommend signing CWJ's Contract for a Just and Fair Marriage

Halakhic but non-Orthodox ceremony (for example, Conservative ceremony)

No

Not mamzerim

Halakhically, need for a “get” depends on the religious elements of the ceremony. If the Rabbinate finds out, they may or may not require a get through the State Rabbinate.

We strongly recommend signing CWJ's Contract for a Just and Fair Marriage

Non-Halakhic ceremony

No

Not mamzerim (provided the mother is not concurrently Halakhically married to someone else)

The couple is not considered legally married in Israel.

We strongly recommend signing CWJ's Declaration of Partnership

Civil wedding abroad

Yes

Not mamzerim (provided the mother is not concurrently Halakhically married to someone else)

The couple must get divorced through the State Rabbinate. The Rabbinate may or may not rule that a get is needed. Even without a “get”, children of the woman with a new partner will not be mamzerim

We strongly recommend signing CWJ's Declaration of Partnership