Moroccan marriage process for uk citizen
This is how my process went for getting the paperwork sorted in Morocco for my marriage as a British Citizen.
Firstly, I must say, I was really stressed about this process as it’s very different to how we do things here in the UK, but it’s not as complicated as some people say.
these are a list of things I got sorted in the UK before I made my trip to Morocco.
- got my CNI from my local council (get an apostille on it)
- criminal record (I used basic DBS)
- 3 months payslip (if employed)
- got my passport certified by a solicitor
- my original birth certificate
Now, because I got my CNI and certified passport copy done in the UK, I didn’t have to visit the embassy in Morocco, which saved me ALOT of time.
a week before I traveled to Morocco, I sent over all of the documents over to my Fiancé to get translated by a court approved translator l, so by the time I arrived, it was ready for pickup.
sunday I landed in Morocco, Monday morning we went to go collect my translated documents, then straight after I got all of my documents photocopied and took 8 passport sized photos, then we went straight to the adoul we contacted 2 weeks before I arrived to see what are the next steps. The adoul told us we both needed health certificates for both me and my Fiance, which didn’t take long at all, that was all for the Monday.
Tuesday, we both went back to the Adouls office to give them all the translated copies and also they drafted up a letter confirming I’m a Muslim.
Wednesday, we had our interview with the judge, who asked a few questions which took no longer than 2 minutes, then we went and received an envelope and had to take it to the police station for our interview there, which again took no more than 15/20 minutes, just basic questions, we were then finished with the process part and we went back to the Adoul and we were told it’s just a waiting game now.
fast forward Friday, we get a call from the Adoul in the afternoon, saying we are now free to get married.
so to cap it all off, it took us in total 3 days to finish everything, it wasn’t stressful at all, just a lot of running around so be prepared for that part, I hope my story makes sense lol if there’s any questions regarding the process then don’t hesitate to ask or comment, good luck to everyone!
3 days, wow it was fast.
I am from Canada it took us 2 weeks to finalized everything and get the marriage done.
Congrats.
@ooiihoel
Yeah Alhamdullilah, as long as you’re organised and know what you have to do when you get to Morocco then it’s a simple process, although it helps if the courts and police station aren’t too busy.
@Shaw7mick
May Allah swt give you plenty barakah to you your spouse and family and everything goes smoothly Ameen
@Shaw7mick
Congratulations.
it does seem that the marriage progress has simplified in the last two years or so.
I had to go to the consulate in Marrakech when I got married and then take my documents to Rabat to have them verified by the Ministry of Foreign Affairs - you dont mention this, so assuming that is now no longer needed which saves a day.
@Shaw7mick
Salaam.
what are the steps to get the CNI apostilled. Where do I send it to and how long does it take
thanks
@laurencej96
You only need to get them legalised if you’re getting what you need from the consulate but I didn’t do it but because I had an apostille for my CNI and passport certified in the UK, then there was no need for me to get them legalised at the ministry of foreign affairs, so yes it did save a day.
@Shahmiah2000
There’s many apostille services in the UK, personally I used a place in Coventry, I drove there which took me 30 mins, dropped it off to them and the next day it was ready for me to collect.
@Shaw7mick
Hi, Congratulations on getting married.
We are planning to get married in Morocco too Insha Allah. My case is bit different as I’m an Indian national residing in Canada.
As I understand I need (before)
- Capacity of Marriage (apostilled)
- Indian PCC (apostilled)
- Birth Certificate (optional?)
- Employment letter
- Payslips
- Residence proof
- Passport copy
From Indian Embassy (Rabat)
- Certificate of non impediment
- Certificate of Nationality cum Birth cert
- Certificate of Single Status
Ministry of Foreign Affairs
- Get documents attested from ministry
Ministry of Justice
- Stamped Criminal Record (online)
Medical Certificate
Translation
- Above all documents to be translated to Arabic (4-6 certified copies)
The process
Save time by sending Scanned copies of your documents in advance to your fiancé for translation
Day 1
- Arrive in Rabat, visit Indian Embassy to get Certificate of non impediment + Certificate de Nationality and Birth
- Get criminal records (stamped) from Ministry of Justice, Rabat
- Fax documents for translation same day for fast
Day 2
- Grab Translated documents, make 4-6 certified copies and visit Adoul to receive letter of request for marriage
Day 3
- Visit to Family and Social Affairs court for approval.
- After this, go to police station for interview and verification
- They will inform when to go to court again (3-7 days?)
Day 4-10
- Wait till approval letter received
- Once received, call Adoul and he will arrange to sign the contact of marriage.
@Shaw7mick, Please let me know If I’m missing something and your advise on making the process faster.
@sayeedmgmt19
The only thing I’d say is that it’s a must to have your original birth certificate with you, other than that, your daily plan seems great, you have a chance to get it done within 7-8 days if all goes planned and there’s no delays over there with the police and courts, I’d advise you to give your adoul a little something as a gift too to help you abit more.
@Shaw7mick
Thanks for your advice. 🙂
Does original birth certificate or copy need to be attested or apostilled and same for police clearance ?
@sayeedmgmt19
Your birth certificate doesn’t need to have an apostille, your police record will need one.
@Shaw7mick
Thanks
I checked with Indian consulate and they issue PCC for below purposes not marriage:
- Immigration purpose other than Citizenship
- Employment/Employment Visa/Work Permit
- Residence Permit
- Citizenship/Nationality
- Adoption
- Education/Research
- Tourist Visa
- Long Term Visa/Stay
Wondering which one would be acceptable in Morocco court, Please guide?
@Shaw7mick
Could you give me the name of the place in Coventry that does the apostille service?
thanks
You need apostille for only the Certificate of no impediment (CNI). Still check with your local court as they may have it different. ask for a list of requirements from the court. Everything will be on it:
CNI (apostilled)
a basic DRB certificate
birth certificate
employment letter
doctors certificate from Morocco for both of you
police report for foreigners (apply online and collect from a police station of your choice).
divorce certificate if divorced (certified to be a true copy by solicitor).
passport photo page copy (certified by solicitor).
The Hague Apostille (in Coventry) google them.
£92 per document but you’ll only need to apostille one document and that’s the CNI (unless the court asks for additional documents to be apostilled.
@Shahmiah2000
Hague apostille service on new union street
@Shaw7mick
Hello, I sent you a private message. Thank you
@Shaw7mick
Hi, I'm from UK, what city did you submit your documents if you don't mind me asking?
@Shaw7mick
Hi, I'm from Uk, which city did you submit your documents if you don’t mind me asking?
Salam, i see some people have mentioned Apostille is only required for the CNI and others have mentioned it is also required for the Acro, would it be wise to get both done ? Also do any other documents require Apostille ? Anybody here gone through the process in Marrakech and had any other experience with the process which might be helpful info ? Thanks in advance.
@Shaw7mick
Hi, thanks so much for sharing your experience — it’s super helpful and definitely makes the process sound less intimidating!
Quick question — when you say you got an apostille on your documents in the UK, could you clarify exactly which ones needed it? Was it just the CNI and the certified passport copy, or did you also apostille your birth certificate, DBS check, and payslips?
Thanks in advance!
@Shaw7mick
Thanks for this. Did you not have to get the ACRO police check? Also what is meant by getting your passprd certified
@Shaw7mick
Hi
I'm currently trying to sort my documents for marriage in Morocco (Agadir) to a Moroccan myself and too, finding this sooo stressful. from what i believe I need to have the following notarized and apostille stamped:
Birth Cert, Apostille
ACRO Police Cert, Apostille
Divorce Final Order Cert, Apostille & Notary signed
CNI (I will receive in September), Apostille
Copy of passport Apostille & Notary signed.
Also send an employment letter and 3x payslips.
4x passport photos
Medical cert and revert to Islam I will get in Morocco.
My Question is: Will I need to visit the British Embassy in Morocco for a Capacity to marry ?
if I do then it will delay the marriage and my documents will probably go out of date due to the 3 month document date rule. A whole lot of stress and a whole lot of expense, its like they don't want people to marry!
@Shaw7mick
Can you recommend the adoul you used for your marriage process? Also can you recommend the translator that you used?
Thanks
@Shaw7mick
Is the nationality certificate required in the marriage or only my passport is enough ?! Urgent !!!
If any uk citizens require help on this topic, message me direct please. I got Married in Marrakech so can provide contacts in Marrakech if required and any other info i can provide on documents required from the UK etc. You dont need anything from the UK embassy in Morocco. Unfortunately Morocco doesn't have a simple process like the UK, nor will everybody go through the exact same process and greasing a few palms along the way to speed things up may also be required.
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