A marriage involving a Moroccan living abroad can be celebrated in Morocco before the adoul notaries with the authorisation of the family court judge, or abroad before the local authorities and then at the consulate.
In both cases the decisive point is the same: the certificate must be transcribed into the Moroccan civil status registers. Without transcription, the marriage does not exist as far as the Moroccan authorities are concerned, with everything that this entails for the parentage of children, inheritance rights and later procedures.
Documents required
- Full copy of the birth certificateFor both future spouses, recent
- Certificate of single status or of capacity to marryDepending on where the marriage takes place
- Certificate of residenceOr consular registration certificate for the spouse living abroad
- Criminal record extractBulletin no. 3, less than three months old
- Medical certificatePre-marital, less than three months old
- Identity photographsOf both spouses
- Documents for the foreign spouseCertificate of custom, certificate of single status, and certificate of conversion where applicable
The procedure, step by step
- Put the file together
Every document must be recent, and translated if it is in a foreign language.
- Submit it to the family court
The judge examines the file and issues the marriage authorisation.
- Celebrate the marriage before the adoul notaries
The marriage certificate is drawn up and then approved.
- Transcribe the certificate into the civil status registers
Within the regulatory time limit. This is the step people forget, and the most expensive one to put right.
- Have it registered in the other country
Depending on your spouse’s nationality, a reciprocal registration is needed for the marriage to take effect there.
Pitfalls to avoid
- Neglecting to have the certificate transcribed: without it, the marriage does not exist as far as the Moroccan authorities are concerned.
- Putting the file together too early - half the documents are valid for three months.
- Underestimating how long things take for a foreign spouse: a certificate of custom and the legalisations take weeks.
- Marrying during the summer without planning ahead: the courts and the adoul are overwhelmed from July to September.
Frequently asked questions
Can we marry at the consulate?
Moroccan consulates can, subject to conditions, celebrate the marriage or receive the transcription of a marriage celebrated before the local authorities. The arrangements vary from country to country; ask the consulate you come under directly.
How long do we have to transcribe the certificate?
A regulatory time limit applies after the celebration. Beyond it, transcription remains possible but involves a heavier procedure, sometimes a judicial one.
Does the foreign spouse have to convert?
The question arises for the marriage of a Muslim Moroccan woman to a non-Muslim, where a certificate of conversion is required. Find out exactly what applies to your situation before putting the file together.
Last updated: January 2026 · Indicative estimate - check with the relevant administration.