Deleting a Criminal or Police Record in Israel: The Complete Guide (2026)

In short: a practical guide to deleting criminal and police records in Israel, removing obstacles to a firearms license, and a real example of a successful record cancellation (March 2026).

Deleting a criminal or police record in Israel: clearing your name and getting a fresh start

Deleting a criminal or police record is closely tied to the right to rehabilitation and to the ability to start over once a certain period has passed since an offense or an investigation. It is one of the cornerstones of the Israeli legal system.

A criminal or police record can be a serious obstacle for people trying to enter the job market, volunteer in the community or obtain government licenses, especially when a police record must be cleared for a firearms license.

In the past, a “certificate of good conduct” was seen as a physical document a person carried with them. Today, under the Criminal Information and Rehabilitation of Offenders Law, 5779-2019, the legal reality has changed completely.

This guide analyzes the legal options for cancelling records, through a real case handled by our office and the effects of the 2022 reform on the rights of people who want to leave their past behind.

Case study: successfully clearing the name of an outstanding citizen

The story of Mr. A (name withheld) shows the gap between a person with an outstanding record of service and the bureaucratic “stain” left by a police record of closed files.

Mr. A is a combat reservist whose life has been devoted to the security of the state and public order. He served as a combat soldier and commander in an infantry battalion and was highly regarded by his commanders. In civilian life he has worked for many years in senior security roles at a large national infrastructure body, where he advanced to management and field-command positions. He has also been commended by the police for risking his life to protect civilians during a security incident.

Despite this record, Mr. A had two entries in files that were closed without an indictment: one closed on the ground that “the circumstances as a whole do not justify prosecution”, arising from his operational work as a security guard, and another closed for “lack of evidence” after an argument in a public place, which the client described as a false complaint. These entries prevented him from advancing to further sensitive roles in the national security system.

Through a reasoned legal application by Adv. Emanuel Trach, based on the time that had passed, his exceptional personal circumstances and his contribution to national security, a request was filed to cancel the police records. On 5 March 2026 the police approved the cancellation, giving Mr. A a completely clean record and opening new career opportunities.

How the law developed: from the 1981 Criminal Register Law to the 2019 Criminal Information Law

Until recently the field was governed by the Criminal Register and Rehabilitation of Offenders Law, 5741-1981. Although it laid the foundations for the right to rehabilitation, over the years it came to be seen as outdated and as failing to protect citizens’ privacy against the demands of employers and other bodies.

On 12 July 2022 the Criminal Information and Rehabilitation of Offenders Law, 5779-2019 came into force, replacing the old law with a broad reform. The new law is based on a modern concept of the “right to be forgotten”. It provides that the criminal register is not public property and that information from it may be disclosed only under strict restrictions. The main goal is to prevent a one-time mistake from becoming a lifelong mark that seriously harms a person’s ability to earn a living and integrate into society.

The basic distinction between types of records

For anyone who wants to clear a police record, it is critical to understand the types of records that exist:

1. The criminal register: includes court convictions, sentences imposed (including imprisonment, fines or community service) and orders issued following an offense even without a conviction (such as a probation order). Information in this register is erased automatically only at the end of the limitation and deletion periods set by law, unless a presidential pardon is granted.
2. The police record: includes information about closed files (where it was decided not to indict), pending files and files in which proceedings were stayed. Even a closed file leaves a police record, unless it was closed on the ground of “lack of guilt”.

The 2022 reform: privacy and rehabilitation

The Criminal Information Law reform that took effect in 2022 redefined what may and may not be done with criminal information. The main changes concern both the deletion mechanisms and protection against unlawful demands for information.

Ban on demanding affidavits and record printouts

In the past, many private employers required job candidates to present a printout of their criminal record as a condition of employment. The reform imposed a sweeping ban on this. Today a person can view their criminal and police record only on a computer screen at a police station, with no printout, photo or copy.

The law also prohibits demanding an affidavit or written statement from a person about their criminal past. Demanding criminal information contrary to the law, particularly for employment purposes or a decision about the person, is a criminal offense punishable by up to two years in prison.

Shorter limitation and deletion periods

One of the most welcome changes is a significant reduction in the periods required for the limitation and deletion of criminal records, especially for people with a single entry for an offense that did not involve imprisonment.

The Commissioner for Oversight of Criminal Information

As part of the new mechanisms, the role of Commissioner for Oversight was created at the Ministry of Justice. The Commissioner supervises public bodies authorized to receive criminal information (such as government ministries and local authorities) and makes sure they weigh it reasonably and according to procedure. A citizen who believes their rights were violated – for example, if an employer asked about their criminal past contrary to the law – may file a complaint with the Commissioner.

Deleting a police record of closed files: conditions and criteria

Unlike the criminal register, where deletion is usually automatic at the end of the statutory periods, a police record of closed files usually requires the person to take action. These are files closed without an indictment for “lack of evidence” or “lack of public interest”.

Threshold conditions for a cancellation request

A formal request to cancel the record can be filed with the Criminal Information Section at Police National Headquarters once the following periods have passed since the incident:

• Adult suspected of a misdemeanor (up to 3 years’ imprisonment): 5 years
• Adult suspected of a felony (more than 3 years’ imprisonment): 7 years
• Minor suspected of a misdemeanor: 3 years
• Minor suspected of a felony: 5 years

There is also automatic deletion of closed files for misdemeanors and minor offenses after 7 years, provided it is a single file with no other records. For certain offenses (such as fraud, sexual harassment or obstruction of justice), the police retain discretion not to cancel the record automatically, so legal intervention is needed.

How the police exercise their discretion

A decision to cancel a police record is not merely technical. It weighs several factors:

• Severity of the offense: a minor property offense or serious violence?
• Personal circumstances and rehabilitation: the applicant’s age at the time, whether they lead a normative life today, their career achievements and contribution to the community.
• No other files: open pending files will almost always lead to rejection.
• Approval to carry a firearm: if the police or the Ministry of National Security have already approved the person to carry a weapon (organizational or private), this strongly indicates the absence of danger.

Changing the closure ground to “lack of guilt”

When a file is closed for “lack of evidence” or because “the circumstances do not justify prosecution”, a police record remains that is visible to security bodies. By contrast, closing a file for “lack of guilt” leads to the immediate and complete deletion of the record from police systems, as if the incident never happened.

Many people whose files were closed do not know that the closure ground can be appealed within 30 days, or that a request to change the ground can be filed years later. This requires an in-depth analysis of the investigation material and showing that the likelihood that the suspect committed the offense is very low. Succeeding in changing the ground is the most effective way to obtain a truly clean record without waiting for years.

Clearing a police record for a firearms license in 2026

Following recent events and the “Swords of Iron” war, there has been a dramatic rise in demand for personal firearms licenses. However, the Firearms Licensing Division applies a very strict policy: any police record, even of a file closed a decade ago, may lead to automatic rejection on the grounds of a “police objection”.

The right strategy is to clear the police record before applying for the license, or immediately after an initial refusal. Deleting the record removes the main obstacle and allows the applicant to present themselves as a fully normative person who meets the criteria.

Questions and answers about clearing criminal and police records

What is the difference between a criminal record and a police record?

A criminal record includes court convictions and judgments. A police record (known as a “closed files record”) is information about investigations that ended without an indictment. Even though the file is closed, the entry remains in the system and may appear in checks by security bodies or when applying for a firearms license.

Is the police record deleted automatically?

Since the 2022 reform, some records (mainly misdemeanors) are deleted automatically after 7 years. For felonies, or where there are several records, deletion is not automatic. In such cases the only way to obtain a truly clean record is to file a reasoned request.

How does a police record affect a firearms license?

It is one of the main obstacles today. The Firearms Licensing Division receives information directly from the police, and even a file closed a decade ago for “lack of evidence” may lead to rejection. We work to change the closure ground or cancel the record entirely to open the way to the license.

Can an employer demand a certificate of good conduct?

Under the new Criminal Information Law (2022), a private employer is strictly prohibited from requiring you to obtain a police printout or sign a confidentiality waiver. The information is available only to a closed list of bodies (such as the police, the Shin Bet or certain government ministries). An employer who demands it is breaking the law.

What does changing the closure ground to “lack of guilt” mean?

It is the best way to clear the past. Closure for “lack of guilt” causes the record to be physically deleted from police records, as if it never existed. Other grounds (lack of evidence / circumstances of the case) leave an internal record. We examine each case on its merits to try to move the record into the “lack of guilt” category.

Should I file the request myself or with a lawyer?

You can file on your own, but experience shows that unprofessional requests are often rejected, and a rejection may block a new request for years. An experienced lawyer knows which supporting documents to attach (recommendations, proof of excellence and service) and how to build a legal argument that will persuade the record-cancellation unit at Police HQ.

Why choose Adv. Emanuel Trach?

Deleting criminal and police records requires specific expertise and an understanding of the internal procedures of the Israel Police and the State Attorney’s Office. Adv. Emanuel Trach has extensive, proven experience in these procedures, with complete discretion and attorney-client privilege.

What we offer

• Comprehensive review: we examine the client’s full record and identify closure grounds that can be changed and records whose deletion period has passed.
• Building a personal-circumstances file: we know which supporting documents (reserve-duty certificates, employer recommendations, certificates of excellence) tip the balance in the applicant’s favor.
• Firearms licensing expertise: we accompany clients all the way, from deleting the police record to filing an appeal and obtaining the license.
• Enforcing your rights under the reform: we make sure that the various bodies act in accordance with the 2022 law and, where needed, turn to the Commissioner for Oversight to protect the client’s privacy.

A police record is a shadow that follows you everywhere: it shows up in background checks, in firearms license applications, and it can block your career. Don’t let the past define your future. Determined and precise legal action can lead to the cancellation of the record and the clean record you are entitled to.

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