Apostilles and Certified Translations for Morocco
Start with two details: where the document was issued and where you will submit it. Then ask the receiving office whether it wants an original, an authenticated copy, a translation or some combination. Get the requirements for your particular application before paying for a translation.
| Your document | Where to start |
|---|---|
| Issued abroad, for use in Morocco | Ask the Moroccan receiving office what it accepts. If it requires an apostille and the convention applies, identify the designated authority in the country that issued the document. |
| Issued in Morocco, for use abroad | Ask the foreign receiving office what it requires. Use the Moroccan apostille portal to identify the Moroccan authority responsible for that type of public document. |
| Apostille convention does not apply | Ask the receiving office or relevant consulate whether a legalisation route or an exemption applies. |
Find the authority for your document
Morocco is a party to the Hague Apostille Convention. An apostille authenticates the origin of a public document, including its signature or seal. It does not certify the document’s contents or guarantee the receiving office will accept it. Check both countries and their designated authorities through the Hague Conference Apostille Section.
In Morocco, the competent authority depends on the type of document. A court document and an administrative record may go to different offices. Use the portal’s authority list before taking the document anywhere.
Confirm the translation order
Ask which language the receiving office wants, whether it requires a sworn translator (traducteur assermenté) and which translators it accepts and whether the translation should include the apostille. If the office asks for separate authentication of the translation, ask it to specify the process. These answers determine whether to get the document authenticated before sending it to the translator.
Keep the original, any authentication and the translation together. For a residence application, confirm the office’s requirements for your category before ordering records abroad. See the carte de séjour guide for how the documents fit into the application.