Israeli identity card

Teudat Zehut תעודת זהות بطاقة هوية
The front cover of a Teudat Zehut
Personal-information page of a Teudat Zehut
Issued by	Israel
Type of document	National identity card
Purpose	Identification
Eligibility requirements	16 years of age legal permanent residence status (including non-citizens)
Expiration	10 years after acquisition, or July 2022, the later of the two

Teudat Zehut (Hebrew: תעודת זהות‎‎; Arabic: بطاقة هوية‎‎ biṭāqat huwiyyah) is the Israeli compulsory identity document, as prescribed in the Identity Card Carrying and Displaying Act of 1982: "Any resident sixteen years of age or older must at all times carry an Identity card, and present it upon demand to a senior police officer, head of Municipal or Regional Authority, or a policeman or member of the Armed forces on duty."

It is a criminal offence to not carry an identity card or to misuse the document (A person can be fined about ₪1,400 as of 2016^[update]). However, the law explicitly forbids pressing charges if the offender contacts the relevant authorities within five days and identifies himself properly.

Furthermore, in December 2011, a Peace Court (Magistrate Court) in the Krayot region acquitted an Israeli citizen from Nahariya who refused to present his identity card before a policeman upon the policeman's request. The judge ruled that the current reading of the law must be in the spirit of the Basic Law: Human Dignity and Liberty (enacted in 1992); such a refusal should be deemed legitimate unless the state-official has a reason to suspect that the person before him has committed an offence.

In addition to the above law, the identity card is required in order to exercise certain civil rights. Until recently, it was the only valid identification for voting in general elections. However, since 2005, the law also permits the use of a valid drivers license or a valid Israeli passport.

When not specifically required by law, other identification may be used. In Israel, access to many office buildings or guarded areas requires showing ID.

Identity cards are issued by the Israeli Ministry of Interior through offices across the country. The document is issued to all residents over 16 years old who have legal permanent residence status, including non-citizens. Up until July 2012, the document had no expiry date, and it could be used as long as it was intact. Since July 2012, any new identity cards issued expire after 10 years. Any previously issued cards will expire in July 2022.