Full adoption is prohibited in Morocco under Islamic law. Only kafala — a legal child care institution — is available. For MRE wishing to take in a Moroccan child and bring them to Europe, the procedure involves two stages: obtaining the kafala judgment in Morocco, then having it recognized in the country of residence.
Costs & fees
| Family court filing fees | 200–500 MAD | Varies by court |
| Moroccan lawyer fees | 3,000–8,000 MAD | Recommended but not mandatory |
| Social inquiry | Free | Ordered by the judge, conducted by local authority |
| Apostille / legalization of judgment | 50–150 EUR | For recognition abroad |
| Consular fees (child visa) | 99 EUR | Long-stay visa for the child |
Timeline
Prepare the kafala application file
The file submitted to the Moroccan family court must include: a copy of the national ID or passport, legalized marriage certificate (for couples), a clean criminal record less than 3 months old, proof of stable income (pay slips, tax returns), a medical certificate showing no contagious diseases, proof of adequate housing, and recent photographs. For MRE, foreign documents must be legalized and translated into Arabic by a sworn translator.
💡 Tip — Contact SOS Orphelins Maroc or INSAF for guidance in preparing the file. They know the specific requirements of each court.
Submit the file to the Moroccan family court
The complete file is submitted to the registry of the family court in the child's place of residence or that of the host family in Morocco. MRE without a fixed address in Morocco may file at the court in their family's place of origin. A receipt will be issued. The family affairs judge reviews the file and orders a social inquiry. While a Moroccan lawyer is not mandatory, it is strongly advised to ensure the file is complete and speed up proceedings.
💡 Tip — Choose a lawyer specializing in family law. Some firms in Casablanca, Rabat, and Marrakech are experienced with MRE cases.
⚠️ Warning — Ensure all translated documents bear the stamp of a translator approved by a Moroccan court. Non-certified translations are systematically rejected.
Interview and court-ordered social inquiry
The judge orders a social inquiry conducted by the local authority to assess the living conditions and capacities of the host family. This inquiry includes a home visit, interviews with the applicants, and verification of financial and family stability. For MRE, the judge may require physical attendance at a hearing in Morocco. Plan a trip to Morocco of at least one week during this phase.
💡 Tip — Prepare for the interview by clearly explaining your life plan with the child: schooling, medical follow-up, maintaining ties with Moroccan culture.
⚠️ Warning — The social inquiry may raise sensitive issues such as housing abroad being difficult to verify or income in foreign currency. Anticipate this by providing very detailed supporting documents from the outset.
Kafala judgment issued by the court
After the social inquiry and hearings, the judge issues a judgment granting or refusing kafala. The judgment names the kafil and specifies the terms of care. It must be obtained in several certified copies from the court registry. The child does not legally take the host family name and does not become a legal heir — kafala is a care arrangement, not a parental bond. However, a will can bequeath assets to the child under kafala.
💡 Tip — Request at least 4 certified copies of the judgment: you will need them for the apostille, consular procedures, and recognition abroad.
Recognition in the country of residence and visa for the child
Once the kafala judgment is obtained, it must be recognized in your country of residence. In France, kafala has been recognized since 2010 as a child protection measure permitting delegation of parental authority. Submit the apostilled judgment to the French family court judge. Simultaneously, apply for a long-stay visa for the child at the French consulate in Morocco, with the kafala judgment, your residence permit, proof of income, and housing certificate. In Belgium, a similar procedure applies through the family court.
💡 Tip — In France, contact the Child Social Services (ASE) in your department at the start of the procedure — some departments require prior approval.
⚠️ Warning — The United Kingdom and Canada do not recognize kafala the same way as France. If you reside in these countries, consult a specialized lawyer before starting the procedure.
In depth
Kafala differs fundamentally from full adoption: it creates no parental bond, the child retains their original name and biological lineage, and does not become a legal heir of the kafil family. A will (wasiyya) can bequeath up to one third of the kafil estate to the child. Moroccan courts carefully examine the marital stability of applicants — a couple married for less than 2 years will face greater difficulties. For single applicants, kafala is possible but often restricted to women in many courts, particularly for girls. The requirement to be Muslim is strictly verified: MRE of non-Muslim faith generally cannot obtain kafala in Morocco, even with Moroccan nationality.
❌ Common mistakes to avoid
- ✕Starting the procedure without verifying that the country of residence recognizes Moroccan kafala — in the UK and Canada, the legal situation differs greatly from France.
- ✕Failing to have the Moroccan judgment apostilled before returning to the country of residence — without an apostille, the document is not admissible abroad.
- ✕Believing the child under kafala automatically acquires nationality or a right of residence in the host country — neither is automatic.
- ✕Compiling an incomplete file from the outset — incomplete files result in rejections or additional delays of several months.
- ✕Forgetting that kafala does not grant inheritance rights to the child — consider drafting a will and taking out life insurance in their favor.
🔗 Official links and resources
❓ Frequently asked questions
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