Can Foreigners Legally Marry in Morocco?
Yes. Morocco allows foreign nationals to legally marry on Moroccan soil. However, the process requires specific documents and advance preparation. Most couples need 2–3 months to gather all required paperwork, so start early.
Required Documents
Both partners need: a valid passport (with at least 6 months validity), a birth certificate (apostilled and translated into French or Arabic by a certified translator), a certificate of celibacy or non-impediment to marriage (from your home country's embassy or consulate), a medical certificate from a Moroccan doctor, and passport-sized photos. If either partner was previously married, you'll also need a divorce certificate or death certificate (apostilled and translated).
The Apostille Process
Documents from countries in the Hague Convention must be apostilled — this is a government stamp that verifies the document's authenticity for international use. In the UK, this is done through the Foreign, Commonwealth & Development Office. In the US, through your state's Secretary of State office. In France, through the Court of Appeal. Allow 2–4 weeks for apostille processing.
Timeline
6 months before: start gathering documents. 4 months before: submit apostille requests. 3 months before: contact the Moroccan consulate and begin the marriage file (dossier de mariage). 2 months before: schedule medical exams in Marrakech. 1 month before: submit final dossier to the family court (tribunal de la famille). Day of: the Adoul (Moroccan notary) performs the legal ceremony.
Symbolic vs Legal Ceremonies
Many couples choose to have their legal ceremony at home and hold a symbolic ceremony in Marrakech. This is simpler and avoids the paperwork entirely. Symbolic ceremonies have no legal standing but allow you to have any type of ceremony you want — religious, secular, or personalised — without bureaucratic constraints.
Common Mistakes
Starting too late (allow 3+ months minimum). Not getting documents properly apostilled. Forgetting that translations must be done by certified translators recognised by Moroccan courts. Not budgeting for the Adoul fee (€200–500). Assuming a symbolic ceremony has legal weight. A good planner will handle the entire legal process — see WPM's planner rankings at /planners to find one that offers full legal support.
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