The birth certificate extract is issued by the civil status office of the commune where the birth was registered, and not by the one where you live. For a Moroccan living abroad who was born in Morocco, that often means giving authority to a relative or going through the consulate.
There is a bilingual Arabic-French version, which has to be asked for explicitly: it is the one that foreign authorities expect.
Documents required
The procedure, step by step
- Identify the commune of registration
It is the place where the birth was declared, which is not always the physical place of birth.
- Specify which version you want
Ask explicitly for the bilingual version if the document is going abroad.
- Submit the application
In person, through a representative holding a power of attorney, or via the consulate.
- Collect the copies
Take several: in practice they are accepted only for a short time and files often call for two.
Pitfalls to avoid
- Applying to your commune of residence: only the office where the birth was registered can issue the extract.
- Leaving with the Arabic version alone when the file is intended for a European authority.
- Putting the file together three months in advance and discovering, when you submit it, that the extract is no longer accepted.
Official sources
Civil-status extracts are issued by the commune of registration and, for Moroccans abroad, by consulates. The national portal service-public.ma describes civil-status procedures and points to digital channels where the commune is covered. From abroad, the entry point remains the consular network of the Ministry of Foreign Affairs.
Frequently asked questions
Can it be applied for online?
The national civil status portal allows paperless applications for a growing number of communes. Coverage is not uniform, so check whether yours is included before giving up on the trip.
Can a relative collect it for me?
Yes, with a legalised power of attorney and a copy of your identity document. It is the usual solution for Moroccans living abroad.
What is the difference between an extract and a full copy?
The extract sets out the essential particulars and is enough in the great majority of cases. The full copy reproduces the entry with all its marginal notes: it is sometimes required for a marriage or an inheritance.
Last updated: January 2026 · Indicative estimate - check with the relevant administration.