Marriage in Morocco - Frequently asked questions

Below is a list of frequently asked questions about marriage in Morocco. The information on this website on marrying in Morocco is provided as a general guide and is based upon information provided to the FCO by the relevant local authorities. The information on this website is therefore only up to date and accurate to the extent that such authorities provide us with timely and accurate information. Accordingly, the FCO does not guarantee that this information is accurate and will not be liable for any inaccuracies in this information. British nationals wishing to obtain information about marriage must also contact the relevant local authority to be sure of the requirements for signing a Moroccan marriage contract.

Can I get married in Morocco?

British nationals can only get married in Morocco if at least one of the parties is a Moroccan national. British Consular staff in Morocco cannot currently perform consular marriages.  Therefore, two British nationals cannot at present be married in Morocco.  All marriages in Morocco are carried out under Moroccan Islamic law.

I plan to marry a Moroccan in Morocco. Do I need your help?

Yes. We can provide you with some essential documents that you must have to marry in Morocco.

Do I need to go to the British Embassy or can I visit my local British Consulate?

• If you plan to marry in Tangier, Asilah, Larache, Tetouan or Chefchaouen,  go to the British Consulate in Tangier

• If you plan to marry in Agadir, AsilaTaroudant, Inezgane, go to the British Honorary Consulate in Agadir.

• If you plan to marry in Marrakech, go to the British Honorary Consulate in Marrakech.

• If you plan to marry anywhere else in Morocco, go to the British Embassy Consular Section in Rabat

Do we both need to come to see you?

Yes, your Moroccan fiancé(e) must be present with you when you apply.

How much does it cost?

As of 21 April 2009 the fees are:

Certificate of No Impediment/ No Objection Fee 32   =   Dh  855
Certificate of Nationality Fee 3(a) =   Dh  490  
Notice of Marriage and Declaration of Honour Fee 29    =  Dh  855
Certified copy of passport (required for some parts of Morocco) Fee 8(a) = Dh    490

I live in the UK (or within a British Consular District overseas other than in Morocco). What documents do I need to bring to you?

You will need to present the following documents:

• Your passport;
• The Certificate of No-Impediment issued in the UK by your local Registrar’s Office, or from the British Consulate within the Consular District in which you reside
• If you have been married before, your decree absolute for each marriage, or if widowed, your late spouse’s death certificate;
• Your Moroccan fiancé(e)’s passport (or if he/she does not have a passport, his/her identity card).
• If your fiancé(e) has been married before, he/she will need to produce the original divorce certificate in Arabic (and a translation) for each marriage, or previous spouse’s death certificate if widowed.

Please see below for a list of documents which the Moroccan authorities will ask you to provide at the Family Court.

We will give you:

A Certificate of No-Objection
A Certificate of Nationality

Both these documents are issued in French, which is acceptable by the Moroccan authorities. They are valid for 3 months from the date they are issued. If you do not make arrangements to be married within 3 months of that date, you will need to re-apply.

I live in Morocco. What documents do I need to bring to you?

If you plan to marry a Moroccan and you are resident in Morocco (for which purpose you must have lived in Morocco for over 21 days before giving notice), you will need to:

• Make a Declaration of Honour that you are free to marry

Bring the following documents:

• Your passport;
• If you have been married before, your decree absolute for each marriage, or if widowed, your late spouse’s death certificate;
• Your Moroccan fiancé(e)’s passport (or if he/she does not have a passport, his/her identity card).
• If your fiancé(e) has been married before, he/she will need to produce the original divorce certificate in Arabic (and a translation) for each marriage, or previous spouse’s death certificate if widowed.
• Evidence of  your address in Morocco

A Notice of Marriage will be displayed at the British Embassy Rabat or the British Consulate Tangier for 21 clear days. (Therefore the minimum period for this process is six weeks.)

After the Notice of Marriage has been displayed for 21 days we will give you:

A Certificate of No Impediment (in FRENCH)
A Certificate of Nationality (in FRENCH).  

Both these documents are valid for 3 months from the date they are issued. If you do not make arrangements to be married within 3 months of that date, you will need to re-apply.

I have been given the two certificates by members of your Consular team.
What happens next?

The signature on all of the documents issued by British Consular Staff will need to be legalised at the nearest Ministry of Foreign Affairs Legalisation Office for which you may need Dh20 fiscal stamps.

The address of the Legalisation Office in Rabat is:
Bureau des Légalisations du Ministère des Affaires Etrangères
8, rue de Tetouan
Hassan,  Rabat     Tel: 05 37 76 61 02

The address of the Legalisation Office in Tangier is:
Bureau des Légalisations du Ministère des Affaires Etrangères
44, Avenue Tarik Ibnou Ziad
(Immeuble Wafabank), 1er Etage
Idrissia, Tangier

For details of Legalisation offices in Agadir and Marrakech, please contact the relevant Honorary Consulate.

The legalised documents must then be presented to the Family Court Judge in the district where you plan to be married in Morocco.  If you are a non-resident, you should take them to the Family Court Judge in the district where your fiancé(e) lives.  

The address of the Family Court in Rabat is:
Tribunal de 1er Instance (Court of First Instance)
Rue de Madagascar
Rabat

The address of the Family Court in Tangier is:
El Mendoubia
Place du 9 avril (Socco Grande)
Tangier

For contact details of other Family Courts in Morocco, your Moroccan fiancé(e) should be able to find out the address for you.

Will I need to provide any other documents for the Family Court Judge?

Will I need to provide any other documents for the Family Court Judge?
The following is a list of documents that may be required. We cannot guarantee that this list is complete and strongly advise you to check with your local Family Court:
1. For British men: A certified copy of your certificate of conversion to Islam, or a document proving that you were born Muslim.
For British women: Any of the following:
For Christians: a baptismal certificate
For Jewish women: a document showing you are Jewish
For Muslim women: a certificate of conversion or a document showing that you were born Muslim.
2. If you are under 18 years old: written permission from your legal guardians (normally mother and father) for you to marry.
3. A certified copy of your marriage certificate and divorce decree absolute if you have been married before.
4. A copy of your full Birth Certificate (stating both your parents' names).  
5. A copy of your fiancé(e)s full birth certificate
6. A certificate of no-objection issued by the British Consulate and certified by the Ministry of Foreign Affairs office
7. A letter addressed to the judge saying that you both wish to be married, with your personal details (including UK address), and passport details, and your Moroccan fiancé(e)'s personal and identity card details. This letter must be written in Arabic.
8. A certificate of nationality issued by the British Embassy/Consulate in Morocco
9. A police record issued by the local police in the UK for UK residents. Please apply at the police station closest to your home in the UK.  
10. Whether your are a resident in the UK or in Morocco, a  record of no previous conviction for non-Moroccans issued by the Ministry of Justice, Rabat, (extrait de casier judiciaire)                                                                                                            11. A document proving your occupation and income
12. A certified copy of a valid identity card and a certificate of residency for those residing in Morocco or in a country other than their country of origin
13. A copy of the passport and a copy of the page showing the date of entry into Morocco
14. A medical certificate for each fiancé(e)
15. A certificate of celibacy for the Moroccan fiancé(e)
16. A certificate of residency for the Moroccan fiancé(e)
17. 5 photos for the British person and 1 photo for the Moroccan fiancé(e)

Once we are married, can my spouse travel to the UK?

Marriage does not automatically entitle your spouse to UK Entry Clearance. After you have married, and obtained your marriage certificate, if you and your spouse wish to live in the United Kingdom, your spouse will need to apply for UK Entry Clearance (settlement visa). For further information on applying for UK Entry Clearance please visit the following websites: www.visainfoservices.com and www.visa4uk.fco.gov.uk.

Will my marriage under Moroccan law be recognised in the UK?

A marriage celebrated in Morocco and valid under Moroccan law will generally be recognised in the UK. However, only the UK courts can rule definitively on this issue and validity under Moroccan law is no guarantee that a marriage will be recognised in the UK. If you need guidance as to whether your Moroccan marriage will be recognised in the UK we would advise you to obtain appropriate legal advice.

After marriage to a Moroccan, may I continue to reside permanently in Morocco?

Yes if you apply for Residency in Morocco (see Residence in Morocco).