Mixed Marriage Process in Morocco

jess1406 · 2016-10-06T22:32:03+02:00

Hi everybody, I am a British female who has recently married my Moroccan fiancé in September 2016. I wanted to write a post on an up to date process to help those who are in a similar situation going through the process or planning to get married in Morocco in the future! ☺ We were married in Tinghir on September 30th after travelling back and forth to court in Ouarzazate. It can be a very long and tiring process, if you are not prepared. In total it took us about 10 working days to complete the papers, get the permission and get married. I do believe that we could have done it in less time, had we known about some papers and there were also days where we decided to wait an extra day. However, I know it can often take people a lot longer but the key is preparation and organisation – it can be done within 2/3 weeks if you are patient and organised. The papers for the marriage need to be dated within a 3 month period to be accepted within Morocco. Both my fiancé and myself prepared the papers that we could prior to me arriving in Morocco. In the UK the papers you need to get are: - A birth certificate issued within the last 3 months (this must be a FULL birth certificate – with information of mother and father) - Letter of employment (stating where I work, start date of employment, working hours and annual salary) - Payslips for the 3 months before arriving in Morocco to submit the papers - A UK police check – ensure this is the ACRO police certificate, which can be ordered online. (Mine took around 10 days to arrive upon placing the order). I had taken copies of these over to Morocco on a prior visit to get translated in preparation to completing the process. If unable to take these over in person, I would suggest emailing/faxing them to your partner to translate prior to arrival, as this usually takes a couple of days. There are a number of different documents that your fiancé will need too. He can contact the local court or an adoul and they will be able to provide a list of the documents. They include: a copy of identity card, updated birth certificate, police check, capacity to marry (single status), medical check. My fiancé needed the medical check and 2 witnesses in order to get the capacity to marry paper, so it is important to begin planning these papers in advance otherwise it can add extra time to the process. The papers you will then need to get whilst in Morocco: - Medical check - Police check from Morocco – Ministry of Justice (Rabat) - Capacity to Marry – British Embassy (Rabat) - Certificate of Nationality – British Embassy (Rabat) We were also asked for a certificate of religion for me when we presented our papers at the court. We completed this in Arabic and had it certified, so it may be worthwhile to also prepare this paper, as I believe some courts do still require it. (The paper we prepared just stated my name, date of birth, passport number and that I am of Christian faith). Make sure that you book an appointment at the British embassy for marriage online in advance. They only have appointments on Tuesday’s and Thursday’s. I recommend doing this a few weeks in advance to ensure you get an appointment! Make sure you also have a number of photocopies of your different papers also – the original documents and the translated versions and have these with you at all times. We did 5 copies of everything. We also got 8 passport size photographs each. Below is our experience: MONDAY I had arrived in Marrakech over the weekend and we stayed here for a number of days whilst completing further documents. This day we picked up the papers that we had previously submitted for translation (police check, employment letter, birth certificate). We also then went to a local clinic and requested a medical check. The doctor just asked if I had any medical problems, then wrote a paper to say there was nothing wrong with my health! This cost us 250 MAD, make sure that you take your passport when getting the certificate. TUESDAY We caught the 4:45 train to Rabat from Marrakech. We arrived in Rabat by around 9:30. First – we went to the Ministry of Justice to request a Moroccan police check. I had to go in alone as fiancé’s are made to wait outside. I went inside and was given a form in French to complete – basic details, passport number, mother/father names etc. I then sat and waited before I was called to a desk, I gave the form and a copy of my passport and was given a card saying to come back at 3pm. 11:30 – we had our appointment in the British Embassy. We filled in a couple of forms and were then given the 2 documents we needed. This took 30 minutes. From the Embassy – straight to the Ministry of Foreign Affairs. We were given a ticket, and we were both allowed in together. We sat downstairs and a man came in calling out numbers, once they call your number you head upstairs. Once again you wait, they call your number and then you go to a desk where the clerk stamps your papers. It was all finished within about 15 minutes. 3pm – headed back to the Ministry of Justice. Took the card they gave earlier and also a 10DH stamp, which can be bought from a shop just around the corner. Went inside, waited until being called and then collect your paper from the ladies at the desk, and get it stamped by the police officer at another desk. We then headed to a nearby fax shop in order to fax the documents to the translator that we use, so we were able to pick them up the next day. All finished by 3:30pm and we got the next train back to Marrakech. WEDNESDAY Collected our translated papers from the day before at 12. We then made photocopies of all of these (original and translated version). We then made the long 8 hour bus ride to Tinghir. THURSDAY The nearest court to Tinghir is Ouarzazate, another 2 hour journey! Went to submit our papers at the court. Was told all of my papers were correct and good to go. However, they requested that my fiancé got another 2 papers – a paper to state where he is currently living and that he is single (despite already having a number of papers stating this!!). Back to Tinghir to complete these papers. FRIDAY My fiancé headed back to the court the next day with the papers in order to try again. This time was told that I needed the certificate of religion. Myself and my fiance’s father completed this paper in Tinghir and faxed it to the court in Ouarzazate. Papers then submitted, given an envelope to be taken to the Criminal court. Taken there and signed by the representative of the King, then given an envelope to take to the police. MONDAY Went to the police first thing and gave them the envelope. This is easier if you have connections, which we were lucky in that my fiance’s father knew the head of the police in Tinghir. The only things they asked me was the name of the company I worked for, when I started work and the last time that I visited Morocco. They then prepared a paper that they said would be sent to the court the next morning. TUESDAY – we decided to wait a day for the papers to arrive to ensure that we hadn’t wasted another journey to Ouarzazate! WEDNESDAY Went first to the Criminal court, they had received the papers from the police. Gave us a paper to take to the family court. Back to the family court, was told that the judge was not there today. Gave us 2 papers to fill in and said they would get it signed by the representative of the court. Went back at 3pm, the clerk had given the representative the Moroccan marriage papers to sign and had forgotten to give the mixed marriage papers to sign! (Very frustrating!!!). Waited to see if the representative would come back to sign our paper, however he was not able to. THURSDAY Try again – my fiancé went back to the court the next morning. Received our permission to marry signed and stamped by the judge around 10am. FRIDAY Went to the adoul and completed the marriage! All finished! The marriage certificate has then been sent back to the court to certify – once again this may a few weeks for it to be ready. It is hard work but persevere as it all pays off and is so worth it once you are married. Good luck to those of you who are completing this process - if you have any questions feel free to ask I just hope this post will be able to help someone and to understand that it is not always a lengthy, difficult process ☺ Kind regards, Jess

Last activity 26 September 2024 by Bill Shepherd

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magic2019Active member05 December 2019 19:42:08

#281

Once you have them legalised in the UK (Police check and birth certificate) you only need to have them translated in Morocco and not legalised.

Sjw92Member05 December 2019 19:43:30

#282

Can anyone help... is it an ACRO police certificate needed or a DBS certificate?

magic2019Active member05 December 2019 19:46:03

#283

ACRO

Sjw92Member05 December 2019 20:03:11

#284

Thank you! Also where do I apply for a certificate of no impediment stating I am not married? I believe this needs to be legalised too?

magic2019Active member05 December 2019 20:09:03

#285

You do not need this from the UK anymore. You need to book an appointment at the British Embassy in Rabat to get a capacity to marry certificate and nationality certificate.

Sjw92Member05 December 2019 20:13:37

#286

Ahhh ok I see. I was going off the Moroccan consulate website as it states you need this.

Sjw92Member05 December 2019 21:41:38

#287

Can anyone advise if I am correct in thinking all the documents need to be dated within 3 months prior to the marriage? If so how does this apply with the birth certificate?

magic2019Active member05 December 2019 22:21:14

#288

Correct but not birth certificate

Sjw92Member06 December 2019 07:23:19

#289

magic2019 thank you for all your help! Final question! How long before the marriage should I book any appointments? Up to 3 months before?

magic2019Active member06 December 2019 09:26:32

#290

Yes 3 months. You need to keep checking for a date on the govuk site for the British embassy appointment which is the main one.

G_oranMember07 December 2019 10:41:02

#291

Thanks! That's great. I was wondering how the Foreign Office was going to translate the documents into Arabic

ImadIlyasMember14 December 2019 17:51:24

#292

Hi Jess

You dont know how useful this information is for people like myself who are in the same boat

Thank you

Sjw92Member23 December 2019 14:28:16

#293

Hi,

Can anyone tell me how long the embassy in Rabat take to confirm appointments? I requested an appointment 3 working days ago.

Thanks

G_oranMember23 December 2019 21:29:22

#294

They are useless you have to chase them up. I waited 10 days then sent them a chasing email only then did they confirm the appointment.

Sjw92Member24 December 2019 07:32:14

#295

Ahhh! Thanks so much! Do you have an email address or can you direct me on where I can find this. Thank you.

G_oranMember24 December 2019 17:00:37

#296

Yes,email
Consular.Replies@fco.gov.uk

Ferdous77New member25 December 2019 21:00:59

#297

Hi can anyone help?

I plan to get married in Morocco and have gatheted all my documents i need to take from the UK.

Do any of the documents i take from the UK have to be apostille stamped?

I'm getting mixed messages and want to clarify.

Thank you

Ferdous

Riazgunner14Member26 December 2019 20:54:32

#298

Hi
Im from the uk and I will be getting married in morocco next month
I have gathered all the documents to take and also have made an appointment in Rabat with the Britsh Embassy.
However there are a few things im still unsure of and would appreciate some clarification.

Does the following need legalising (apostille) here in the UK ?
1.Certificate of no impediment
2.Arco police certificate
3.Official birth certificate

Also my will my proof of employment letter along with payslips need translating?
I have some slight errors on my payslips regarding my annual salary but I dont know if this will be an issue because my proof of employment letter is pretty clear with my annual salary

And finally when i go to the British embassy for appointment what to i take for proof of address?

Thank you in advance

Ferdous77New member27 December 2019 00:06:18

#299

Hi Jess

I hope your still active on here, your post was really helpful and I had a question if you could kindly help as I'm getting married in Feb to.

On Wednesday you said you collected some documents from the translator, what were these documents you sent the day before to your translator??

Thank you

Ferdous

Ferdous77New member27 December 2019 00:07:17

#300

Sjw92Member30 December 2019 13:07:57

#301

Thank you! I’ve emailed them today. How long did they take to reply to your email?

Sjw92Member22 January 2020 13:47:27

#302

Hi everyone!

As you can appreciate Jess who originally posted about her experience, posted this 4 years ago and processes may now differ or have been changed. I am due to go through the process at the beginning of March and it would be great if someone would be happy to share their experience from start to finish, which may be more recent. Any messages or posts welcome! Thank you all for your help so far!

Sarah

magic2019Active member22 January 2020 14:02:58

#303

If you'd like to direct message me I can run through with you and add you to our whatsapp group

LON123Member30 January 2020 14:57:19

#304

Thank you very much for the detailed post
I have my
I would like to know if it is a must that I should get my (Birth Cert Passport non- impedment and Police check) legalised in the UK? or I can do without it being legalised??
or what I get in British Embassy Rabat suffices??
Please help
Regards

Kimv111Member03 February 2020 19:34:16

#305

Can anyone tell me how much you have to pay at the british embassy in Rabat for a marriage affidavit?

magic2019Active member03 February 2020 21:14:36

#306

£75 using your UK visa card

Smarah86New member10 February 2020 23:16:42

#307

Can you explain the process in steps from start to finish

GuestPoster323Guest21 February 2020 01:10:46

#308

214245

OMG
What alot of work just to get married is Morocco the only country that have to go though a long dew out process
Unbelievable

Saad fadelNew member21 February 2020 10:06:21

#309

***

Moderated by Christine 4 years ago
Reason : ?? off topic post

Pallab ElahiMember22 March 2020 13:57:16

#310

Thanks for your detail... but Is there anyone from South Asia who is a male and already married a Moroccan girl. I need to know a detail what procedure should follow ...

GuestPoster323Guest18 May 2020 12:17:59

#311

214245

OMG
Thank you for all your information to get married in Morocco
I have to say what alot of work to marry and why so much paperwork people to see unbelievable
It's not so simple it's quite timeless but if you want to marry this is what has to happen
Am new New Zealander had no ideal so much work that has to be done there Police check etc
If your partner has a criminal record what happens ? Also if he has a medical condition which has to be discreet then what these are just examples
There laws are on marriage is far to much and reasons why ?
It's not a straight forward process ?
For me coming into Morocco I don't need a Visa which is a bonus but for marriage that's another issue
Bit like you said it was well worth it
And Congratulations to you and your husband wish you all the happiness to you both
Noho mai
Vicki

AbidaroMember05 June 2020 02:35:06

#312

Yes it's Morocco the kingdom
Anyway its just an control

GuestPoster323Guest05 June 2020 03:18:57

#313

214245

Yes sounds like it control n money is the key to marrying in Morocco

AbidaroMember05 June 2020 03:50:25

#314

Mean its protocol as the system of morocco like that , I think traditional

stephandayoub1989New member23 June 2020 11:02:23

#315

I am a New Zealander and i got married in Janurary this year to My Moroccan Man 😊 I am happy to shed some light on our process, because i can certainly agree that it is a intense process, it takes alot of preparation, commitment,time and Money. My husband is from Souk El Arbaa which is part of the Kenitra province and we got married in SK4 😁 we were lucky because our good friends actually went through same process years ago shes kiwi and her hubby is also moroccan so they helped us alot. 😁

Skarlet_ladee05New member22 November 2020 04:32:30

#316

Hi is there any uk 🇬🇧 British National female that has got married recently to there Moroccan fiancée that can share there experience and can give some Up to date guidance experience for 2020
Would be so great full as so much has changed with the original thread
For example what documents they needed from the Uk - passport , birth certificate etc and if you had got certain documents certified in the Uk and what ones did you need to do that with?
I wanted to also ask what document did you show for your permanent residence in the Uk and how I would get that? Or do I need that?
And do you still need to take a certificate of no impediment?
And what documents they had to show when they went for there appointment at the British Embassy in Rabat For example was it just there documents that they had to take and if they had to show for there fiancée’s documents too and what was the documents that they had to show and what was the procedure
Please I would be great full to any one who can share some knowledge and information
Thank you

GuestPoster323Guest22 November 2020 04:48:18

#317

214245

Just stay away from the Moroccan scammers. They are after to get into UK. I have been victimised by this scam . I’m telling you stay away and stay safe. Good luck .

Skarlet_ladee05New member22 November 2020 04:55:57

#318

Hi I’m very sorry in what happen to you And it’s sad as I read back on feeds
But not every one is the same
;(

AbidaroMember23 November 2020 18:39:18

#319

becareful of scammers you can find them but as 1 %
but generaly most people are good
Mr ibrahim is my friend like brother . and he was fall in trap before
welcome in anytime

Skarlet_ladee05New member23 November 2020 18:55:15

#320

Yes I understand I read what happen to him but I still feel not every one is the same as there is good and bad in every country
But thank for your message

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