Morocco is known for many incredible things. First, this is the perfect stop for anyone who loves sampling different cuisines – you get to do so while taking in breathtaking views of natural landscapes. Secondly, this is a shopping haven. There are so many options that people often buy extra luggage just to fit all their new buys. Let’s add its fantastic weather, incredible culture, some of the most exotic tourist attractions, and an ocean to boot! Organizing a wedding here and taking advantage of the scenic views and vibrant traditions is one way to tie the knot memorably. Let us show you how to get married in Morocco as a U.S. citizen:
How to Get Married in Morocco As a U.S. Citizen?
Desert treks, long beach days, hidden waterfalls, and historical tours are some of the many things you can enjoy in Morocco. And by getting married in Morocco, you can add these incredible elements to your nuptials and honeymoon. Here is how you do it:
Before Arriving in Morocco
Since you need several checks to prove your eligibility to marry in Morocco, here are the things you must do before leaving the U.S.:
- Book an appointment with the U.S. consulate or embassy in Morocco: Embassies have limited slots each month and often experience an influx of applicants during peak holiday seasons. So, this should be your first step to allow you to get a calendar date close to your wedding date.
- Get an FBI background check: Moroccan authorities are strict about morality and require marriage applicants to prove they uphold the law. As such, your criminal record is integral to your marriage application, and you will thus need to apply for one, citing marriage as the reason. If you are a Moroccan resident, you must get a police report in Morocco in addition to the FBI background check.
- Hire a wedding planner: While planning a wedding in most destinations is easy, organizing one in Morocco requires navigating a lot of bureaucracy. Working with a Morocco-based planner can take the work off your hands as they will know how to speed up the process without hurting your vision.
- Book a wedding venue: Moroccan weddings are known for their luxury and beauty. The best way to ensure this elegance in yours is to get a venue early, as the good ones are often booked months in advance. This step is something your planner can work out on your behalf.
- Prepare the documents you will need in Morocco: You must present sufficient documentation to show your eligibility for marriage. Such paperwork includes your birth certificate, pay slips, an employment letter, and an affidavit of eligibility to marry. Other documents may also be necessary, as discussed in a later section.
- Get an apostille: Moroccan authorities will only accept apostilled documents as this verifies the integrity of their stamps, seals, and signatures. You should do this for all your documents except your passport and FBI background check. Doing this in the U.S. saves you time, so you will have fewer documents to process in Morocco. TVP can help you complete this within a few days by expediting the process.
- Translate the documents: The official language in Morocco is Arabic, and you thus cannot use English documents when getting married. You should have your documents translated by a certified translation service – TVP does this and can ensure your documents meet the marriage requirements in Morocco.
- Find an adoul: These officials receive your marriage application documents, present them to the court, and guide you through the process to ensure you get permission to marry. Moreover, they also write the marriage contract. Your marriage will take place under an adoul in the city where you will marry. For example, if you want to marry in Rabat, you should find an adoul there. Your wedding planner can help you with this.
After Arriving in Morocco
You can choose to find an adoul before or after arriving in Morocco, as advised by your wedding planner. But once you have one, proceed as follows:
- Attend your appointment at the consulate: When your appointment date nears, ensure you are in Morocco to avoid missing this appointment – booking another one could delay your wedding by months. The embassy will provide you with an affidavit of nationality, an affirmation of marriage, and a notarized copy of your passport.
- Legalize the consulate documents: Take the documents received from the consulate to the Ministry of Interior in Rabat and have them legalized. You will also need to translate the documents as they will be in English. TVP can help you with this.
- Get a medical report: All marriage applicants must have a health checkup to ascertain they are in good health. These tests must take place under an authorized doctor. Luckily, they are fast, and you can complete them within a day.
- Submit the documents to your adoul: The adoul will review them and let you know if you need to include anything else. If everything checks out, they will submit them to a judge who will ask you some questions to gauge your eligibility. Once you have passed the questioning, the judge will send the documents to the adoul who will create the marriage contract. This process can take two to three weeks.
- Get married: The marriage process is simple. You and your partner will sign the marriage contract, which will be in Arabic. They will then process it and give you a marriage certificate within a few days or weeks, depending on the backlog in the office.
If you get married in Morocco, is it legal in the U.S? Any marriage conducted under the Moroccan marriage laws is recognized in Morocco and the U.S. You will not need to register the marriage with the U.S. consulate in Morocco and can instead use the marriage certificate as it is. Of course, you must have it translated and apostilled before using it in the U.S. for official purposes – TVP can help with this!
What are the Different Types of Marriage in Morocco?
You have three options when getting married in Morocco and must thus assess what best works for you and your partner, as follows:
1. Religious Weddings
Per Morocco marriage laws, all legal wedding ceremonies fall under Islamic law. If the man is not a Muslim and does not live in Morocco, he can marry without converting to Islam if the woman is also not Muslim. In this case, he would need to present a notarized statement of religious denomination to prove Jewish or Christian religion. The Islamic wedding only legalizes the union but does not change one’s denomination.
If the man is not Muslim but wants to marry a Muslim woman, he must convert to Islam and obtain a copy of a conversion document from an adoul or court notarial. The man can also convert even if he is not marrying a Muslim woman. The wedding would still take place under Islamic law.
2. Civil/ Mixed Marriages
Many countries accept civil weddings, which are often popular due to their straightforward nature. But can you choose a civil marriage in Morocco? Yes. However, these ceremonies are not always legally binding. You must thus check with your attorney and get advice from your adoul and wedding planner on how to approach such marriages. Doing this before proceeding with the marriage paperwork is best to ensure your marriage is legally binding.
3. Symbolic Ceremonies
Due to the lengthy processes and paperwork for marriage, a U.S. citizen getting married in Morocco may choose this route. In this case, you don’t need to prepare legal documents, get medical checkups, or even obtain police reports. Instead, you choose a wedding venue and get married on your terms.
Is a marriage in Morocco recognized in the United States? Religious weddings conducted under Islamic law and some civil weddings are legal and thus hold up in the U.S. However, symbolic weddings do not have this status. Talk to your attorney before deciding the kind of wedding ceremony you will have.
Marriage Requirements in Morocco for U.S. Citizens
Marriage in Morocco encompasses many checks to ensure you and your partner are eligible to marry. You must thus meet the conditions below:
- Residency: You do not need to reside in Morocco to get married if you are both U.S. citizens.
- Religion: Men must either be Muslims or prove they belong to Jewish or Christian faiths to marry a non-Muslim woman. Those marrying Muslim women must convert to Islam. Women do not need to be Muslims and can marry Muslim men without converting.
- Single status: While Morocco allows men to have more than one wife, U.S. laws do not permit this. As such, you cannot commit bigamy by getting married while still married. You must prove you are single by producing an affidavit of eligibility to marry, a divorce decree, or your previous spouse’s death certificate.
- Consent: You and your partner must be willing and able to marry. Forced marriages are not valid.
- Health status: You must undergo tests to gauge your overall health status and whether you have STIs.
- Witnesses: You should have two adult witnesses to oversee the marriage contract signing.
- Age: Only people aged 18 and above can marry – this applies to all genders.
- Translations: You should have your English documents translated into Arabic.
Additionally, you must translate your documents into Arabic and have them apostilled to ensure they are acceptable to the court. Getting married in Morocco for foreigners who meet these criteria should be a cakewalk.
What Documents Do I Need to Get Married in Morocco?
Most of the legwork leading to a marriage in Morocco revolves around documentation. So, what do you need to get married in Morocco? All applicants should review the documents below:
- A valid passport: You must have a valid passport to enter and leave Morocco. It will also serve as your identification, and you should ensure it is in good condition and valid throughout your stay.
- An affidavit of eligibility to marry: This document lasts six months from its date of issue, and you should plan the wedding accordingly,
- An original or certified copy of your divorce decree: You need this if your last marriage ended in a divorce,
- An original or certified copy of your previous spouse’s death certificate: This applies to widows and widowers,
- A written statement of your intention to marry,
- An original or certified copy of your birth certificate,
- Four recent passport photos,
- Copies of your witnesses’ passports,
- Apostilles: You must verify the signatures, stamps, and seals on official documents with these,
- Evidence of your source of income: You can use your employment letter or business records,
- An FBI background check: If you are a Moroccan resident, you will also need a police report from Morocco,
- A statement of religious denomination: If you are Christian or Jewish and don’t wish to convert, you should use this,
- A conversion to Islam document: You can get this from an adoul or court notarial if you wish to convert to Islam,
- A medical certificate from an authorized Moroccan doctor, and
- A residence card: You only need this if you are a Moroccan resident.
Besides the above, you will also get the following documents from the consulate in Morocco:
- An affidavit of nationality, and
- A notarized copy of your passport.
Once you submit this to your adoul, you can prove your case to the judge overseeing the application. The adoul will then obtain a marriage contract, allowing you to get married in this beautiful country.
How Old Do You Have to Be to Get Married in Morocco?
Many countries impose a minimum age of ability to marry. And Morocco is no different. So, how old do you have to be to get married in Morocco? The law caps the minimum age at 18.
How Much Does It Cost to Get Married in Morocco?
Locals often spend about $20,000 for an awe-inspiring Moroccan wedding. But how much does it cost to get married in Morocco for foreigners? The averages range from $30,000 to $50,000 due to additional flight and accommodation costs.
How to Choose a City and Wedding Venue in Morocco?
Finding a wedding venue comes down to the following:
- Is the venue accessible to your guests?
- Does it match the wedding theme?
- Is it big enough to host your guests?
- Does it offer the inclusions you want, e.g., catering?
- Do you like it?
- Are the terms favorable?
You can then consider your budget and choose the options within this limit.
How to Find a Wedding Planner in Morocco?
Given the document requirements and processes to get married in Morocco, you need an experienced wedding planner to hold your hand. Here’s how to find one:
- Get referrals from friends, family, and social media.
- Consider their experiences with foreigners’ weddings.
- Look at their style and whether it matches your vision.
- Review their calendars and whether they are available for your wedding.
- Understand how much work they can do on your behalf.
- Gauge their pricing compared to what you are willing to spend.
Finally, test your feelings about working with them by asking them questions.
