Since August 14, 2016, Morocco joined the Hague Convention on apostilles, revolutionizing the legalization procedure for Moroccan documents used abroad. The apostille now replaces chain legalization for the 125 signatory countries. Understanding the difference between apostille and legalization, and identifying the competent authority based on document type, will save you valuable time.
Costs & fees
| Apostille for civil status document (birth, marriage, death certificate) | 50 to 100 MAD + fiscal stamp | Issued by the Moroccan Ministry of Foreign Affairs |
| Apostille for judicial document (criminal record, judgment) | 50 to 200 MAD + fiscal stamp | Issued by the Moroccan Ministry of Justice |
| Certified translation (per document) | 50 to 150 EUR | If the destination country requires a translation in addition to the apostille |
| Proxy/Moroccan lawyer for procedures in Morocco | 100 to 300 EUR | If you cannot travel to Morocco |
| Chain legalization (non-Hague Convention countries) | Variable by country | Moroccan MAE + consulate of the destination country |
Timeline
Identify the competent authority based on document type
In Morocco, the authority responsible for issuing the apostille depends on the type of document. For civil status documents (birth, marriage, death certificates, municipal register extracts), it is the Ministry of Foreign Affairs and African Cooperation (MAE) that is competent. For judicial documents (criminal records, judgments, court decisions, notarial acts), it is the Ministry of Justice. For administrative documents issued by specific ministries (diplomas, professional certificates), the apostille may be issued by the issuing ministry or the MAE depending on the case. When in doubt, consult the MAE website or contact the authority directly.
💡 Tip — Always check which Moroccan authority issued the original document before approaching an apostille authority. A civil status document comes from a municipality, so the apostille goes to the MAE.
⚠️ Warning — Do not confuse the Moroccan apostille with a town hall or consulate legalization: only the MAE and the Ministry of Justice are authorized to affix the official apostille in Morocco.
Obtain the original document with original signature and seal
The apostille can only be affixed to an original document bearing an original official signature and seal (not a photocopy, even a certified one). Start by obtaining the recent original of the document from the Moroccan issuing authority: municipality for civil status documents, court for the criminal record, etc. The document must be recent (generally less than 3 months) for certain uses, especially civil status documents. If you reside abroad, you will need to go through a proxy in Morocco (lawyer, family member) or use the Wraqi.ma platform for certain document types.
💡 Tip — Order several original copies of the document from the start: you will need them for each distinct use (bank, town hall, notary, etc.), and each copy will need to be apostilled separately.
⚠️ Warning — An apostilled photocopy has no legal value. The apostille must be affixed to the original document.
Submit the apostille application to the competent authority
If you are in Morocco, go directly to the MAE counters in Rabat (for civil status documents) or the Ministry of Justice (for judicial documents) with the original document, your ID, and the required fiscal stamp amount. Some regional MAE offices may also process requests depending on the city. If you are abroad, you have two options: authorize a lawyer or family member in Morocco with a legalized power of attorney, or use the Wraqi.ma platform which offers certain online legalizations. The on-site procedure generally takes a few days to a week.
💡 Tip — If you use a proxy, make sure the power of attorney is legalized by the Moroccan consulate in your country of residence. An unlegalized power of attorney will be rejected.
⚠️ Warning — The MAE and Ministry of Justice counters have limited opening hours. Check hours and reception days before making the trip.
Collect the apostilled document
Once the application is processed, the document is returned to you with the apostille attached: it is generally a square certificate affixed to the back of the document or attached as an annex, bearing a reference number, date, signature of the competent authority, and an official seal. This apostille certificate is standardized under the Hague Convention and recognizable in all signatory countries. If the procedure was done by proxy, they send you the apostilled document by registered mail or hand it to you directly. Check that the apostille is complete and legible before using it.
💡 Tip — Check the apostille reference number: you can often verify its authenticity online on the Moroccan MAE or Ministry of Justice websites.
⚠️ Warning — A damaged, illegible, or incomplete apostille may be rejected by foreign authorities. Immediately report any issue to the issuing authority.
Have the document translated if the destination country requires it
The apostille authenticates the origin of the Moroccan document but does not translate it. If the destination country requires a translation in addition to the apostille (which is common for non-French-speaking or non-Arabic-speaking countries), you must have the document translated by a sworn translator accredited by the courts of the destination country. In France, sworn translators are registered with Courts of Appeal. The translation must be certified and stamped by the sworn translator. For some countries, the translation itself must also be apostilled. Check the specific requirements of the destination country before starting.
💡 Tip — If you have several documents to translate, negotiate a group rate with the sworn translator: translators often offer a discount for multiple documents from the same file.
⚠️ Warning — Never ask the apostille to authenticate a translation: the apostille covers the original Moroccan document only, not its translation.
In depth
The Hague Convention of October 5, 1961 abolishing the requirement of legalization for foreign public documents transformed international documentary diplomacy. The apostille is a standardized formality, recognizable in the 125 signatory countries, which certifies the authenticity of the signature, the capacity in which the author of the document acted, and where appropriate, the identity of the seal or stamp with which the document is impressed. Morocco, by joining this Convention on August 14, 2016, put an end to the chain legalization procedure that was long, costly, and a source of many delays: previously, a Moroccan document had to first be legalized by the Moroccan MAE, then by the embassy of the destination country in Rabat. This procedure is now replaced by the simple apostille for the 125 signatory countries. For non-signatory countries (including some African and Middle Eastern countries), chain legalization remains necessary. The Wraqi.ma platform, launched by the Moroccan government, has since 2021 allowed certain administrative legalizations to be carried out online, further reducing the need for travel.
❌ Common mistakes to avoid
- ✕Confusing apostille and consular legalization: since 2016, the apostille replaces chain legalization for the 125 signatory countries, but not for others
- ✕Apostilling a photocopy instead of an original document: the apostille is invalid on a copy
- ✕Forgetting that the apostille authenticates the document but does not translate it: a sworn translation is often still needed in addition
🔗 Official links and resources
Moroccan Ministry of Foreign Affairs - Apostille
Competent authority for apostilling Moroccan civil status documents
Moroccan Ministry of Justice
Competent authority for apostilling Moroccan judicial documents
Wraqi.ma - Online administrative legalizations
Moroccan government platform for certain online administrative procedures
❓ Frequently asked questions
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