How to Plan a Wedding in Morocco
If the exotic locales of Casablanca or Marrakech are beckoning you and your spouse-to-be, a destination wedding in Morocco is on the horizon. Although weddings in Morocco are not limited to those two places, they are often the ideal choices for brides and grooms because of their rich history and modern conveniences. Moroccan weddings require some planning, however, due to the country's strict requirements. Although there can be some variation between cities, there are a several general steps to be taken for U.S. citizens to marry in Morocco.
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Instructions
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Gather the documents that will be required for you to marry, including your passport, birth certificate, and police or FBI record from the United States. If you have been divorced, you will need to provide proof of dissolution of your previous marriage. If a previous spouse has passed away, you must provide the death certificate of your former spouse for proof.
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In Morocco, go to the U.S. Consulate General to obtain an Affidavit of Nationality and Eligibility to Marry. You'll need to pay a small fee, around $30, to have it notarized.
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Find a Moroccan doctor to perform a health check and provide you with a medical certificate of good health. This document must be provided by a doctor within Morocco.
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For men wishing to get married, have your statement of religious denomination notarized. Alternately, you can provide a certified copy of your conversion to Islam.
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Have the affidavit as well as all other requirement documents translated into Arabic, which is the official language of the country. This can be arranged through the Moroccan Embassy. The only exceptions to this are your birth certificate and passport. Everything else must be translated to be accepted.
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Take all of the documents to a Government of Morocco office to have them certified. You'll pay a small fee for this service. This process can take anywhere from a few days to months to complete depending on your situation.
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Contact the Family Law Section at the Prosecutor's office at the Court of Appeal in whatever city you have chosen for your marriage. Provide it with all of your required documents to receive authorization to marry. Again, the time length of this process can vary from case to case.
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Tips & Warnings
Know that this list of required documents may or may not be exhaustive. Be prepared to provide other personal information as well, such as proof of employment, etc . Also, be prepared to pay a fee for submitting your application to be married. The fee is around 150 Moroccan dirhams or about $20. The best times of the year for great weather in Morocco are January-May or October-December. Avoid the middle of the summer (June-September). Because a Moroccan marriage is recognized in the United States, you won't need to register with the U.S. Consul. However, you don't forget to go there to get the affidavit and have it notarized.
