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Can a couple get an uncontested divorce by mutual agreement in Israel?

Yes. When both spouses agree, they sign a divorce agreement (heskem gerushin) that settles property, child custody, and support, and submit it to the court for approval. Once approved it carries the force of a judgment. For a Jewish couple the marriage still ends only when the get is given and accepted before the Rabbinical Court, but by consent this is usually a single short hearing. An uncontested divorce commonly takes a few weeks to a few months, far less than a contested case.

An agreed divorce has two parts. The first is the written agreement, which a court must approve to make it binding. Approval gives it the standing of a judgment and closes off later disputes, and property terms can be ratified under Section 2 of the Spouses (Property Relations) Law 5733-1973. The second part is ending the marriage itself. For Jewish spouses this happens through the get, the religious bill of divorce, arranged at the Rabbinical Court under the Rabbinical Courts Jurisdiction (Marriage and Divorce) Law 5713-1953. Mutual consent removes the contested hearings that make divorce slow and costly.

Foreign nationals can use this route if there is a jurisdictional link to Israel, such as citizenship or residence. A couple married in a Jewish ceremony must still obtain a get to be free to remarry, even while living abroad, so the religious step cannot be skipped by agreement alone. Parties are often represented by counsel and can handle much of the process without both attending every hearing in person. The agreement should also address assets held outside Israel and be drafted so it is recognized in your home country. See our guide to divorce in Israel for foreigners.

⚖ In Practice
  • Governing law: Rabbinical Courts Jurisdiction (Marriage and Divorce) Law 5713-1953; property agreements ratified under the Spouses (Property Relations) Law 5733-1973, Section 2
  • Competent authority: Rabbinical Court (Beit Din) for the get; Family Court (Beit Mishpat LeMishpacha) may approve the agreement
  • Timeline: often 4 to 12 weeks when everything is agreed; contested cases run much longer
  • Court fees: a few hundred shekels to file; agreement drafting fees vary by complexity
  • Key point: the agreement is not binding until a court approves it, and the get must be physically given and accepted

From the full guide: Divorce in Israel for Foreign Nationals: Everything You Must Know

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Get a Free Consultation with Adv. Eli ShimonyPrepared under the direction of Adv. Eli Shimony, Eli Shimony Law Office · Editorial policy

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