After a prolonged period of experimentation, Israel beginning June 1, 2017, moved to biometric passports and identification cards exclusively. To date, one had the option to select biometric or the old regular ID card or passport.

This means one will be photographed digitally when one applies for either, and one will have an option regarding one’s fingerprints. One may opt to have them stored in the national database and receive a 10-year passport, or decline and have a passport which is only good for 5 years. Fingerprinting will only apply for applicants over 12. Minors must be accompanied by a parent to validate one’s identity. All applicants over 16 are interviewed as well as part of the process to validate one’s identification.

While a citizen does not have to have a passport, all Israelis 16 and older must have an ID card, which must be carried on one’s person at all times.

(YWN – Israel Desk, Jerusalem)