Documents Needed to Get Married in Morocco: 2026 Guide

Marriage in Morocco is governed by the Family Code (Moudawana) and requires putting together a precise file, whether it's a marriage between two Moroccans or a mixed marriage with a foreign spouse. This guide summarizes the documents to gather and the steps to follow.

The legal framework for marriage in Morocco

Moroccan marriage is based on a contract concluded before two "adoul" (traditional notaries) and approved by the family court judge. This framework guarantees the rights of both spouses, particularly regarding property regime, alimony, and child custody in the event of a later separation.

Documents for a marriage between Moroccans

For a marriage between two Moroccan nationals, the following documents are generally required:

• Full copies of both future spouses' birth certificates, dated less than three months prior.
• Celibacy certificates issued by the municipality of residence.
• Copies of the national ID card of both parties and two witnesses.
• A prenuptial medical certificate confirming the absence of conditions that would contraindicate marriage.
• Recent ID photos of both future spouses.

Documents for a mixed marriage

When one of the future spouses is a foreign national, additional documents are required:

• A certificate of custom or capacity to marry issued by the foreign spouse's home country, translated and legalized.
• A copy of a valid passport.
• A declaration of no religious affiliation contrary to the marriage conditions, as applicable.
• Proof of residence in Morocco if the marriage is celebrated on Moroccan soil.

These documents often need to be translated into Arabic by a sworn translator, then legalized by the relevant consulate and the Moroccan Ministry of Foreign Affairs.

The role of the family court

Once the file is complete, it is submitted to the family court (Moudawana section) of the place of residence. The judge verifies the documents' compliance and issues a marriage authorization, which is required before the deed is concluded before the adoul.

The adoul and the marriage deed

The adoul draft the marriage deed ("aqd zawaj") in the presence of both spouses, their guardians where applicable, and two witnesses. The deed is then approved by the judge and registered with civil status, allowing official copies to be obtained later.

Marriage for Moroccans living abroad

Moroccans living abroad can marry either during a stay in Morocco or at the Moroccan consulate in their country of residence, if both parties are Moroccan. Our practice frequently helps families prepare documents in advance, even before the future spouse's arrival in Morocco, to shorten the time needed once there.

Timeframes and costs

Putting together the marriage file generally takes one to three weeks, depending on how quickly the relevant administrations respond. Our fees for full file preparation range between 200 and 500 MAD, excluding translation and legalization fees billed separately by the relevant bodies.

Common mistakes

• Celibacy certificates or birth certificates exceeding the three-month validity period at the time of filing.
• Foreign documents not translated or not legalized by Moroccan authorities.
• Missing witnesses with valid ID on the day the deed is signed.

Conclusion

A well-prepared marriage file saves weeks of unnecessary waiting. Our practice supports you in gathering, translating and formatting all required documents, whether you are marrying in Rabat or preparing your file from abroad.