Marrying a Moroccan spouse
in the United States: licence,
ceremony and USCIS
In the United States, marriage is a matter of state law, applied at county or local level, while your Moroccan spouse's documents follow Moroccan rules. This guide follows the order of a typical file: licence, ceremony, recording, Moroccan registration, then immigration. It was adapted from DAR TISLIT's experience in France; requirements vary and change, so always confirm with the official source.
You apply for a marriage licence from the county or local office, sometimes with a waiting period. The ceremony must be performed by an authorised officiant, after which the licence is returned and recorded. Requirements vary by state. The Moroccan spouse adds Moroccan documents, the marriage is registered with the Moroccan consulate, and settling in the US is a separate immigration process.
Marriage is state law
Each state sets its own rules, so what applies in one state may not apply in another. You normally apply at the county or local office where you intend to marry. Ask that office what it needs before you travel or book a date.
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Some offices impose a waiting period between applying and marrying, and charge a fee for the licence. Your state may also require witnesses. Allow for this in your calendar, particularly if a spouse is travelling from abroad.
- valid government ID for both future spouses;
- a birth certificate, in some counties;
- proof that any previous marriage has ended (divorce decree or death certificate);
- the fee for the licence, and the witnesses required by your state;
- a certified English translation of any document in Arabic.
After the ceremony: returning and recording the licence
The ceremony must be performed by an authorised officiant. Afterwards the licence is returned and recorded. Make sure someone is responsible for this step, and keep the certified marriage certificate: it is among the documents usually requested for consulate registration.
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Your spouse will usually need a recent Moroccan birth certificate, a certificate of celibacy and a copy of their ID or passport, sometimes with further documents under the Moroccan Family Code (Moudawana). Check whether any need an apostille or legalisation.
If one spouse is a Moroccan national, register the American marriage with the Moroccan consulate so that it is recognised in Morocco. Documents usually requested include the certified marriage certificate, the spouses' birth certificates and ID.
Immigration is a separate process
If the Moroccan spouse lives abroad, entering or settling in the United States is a separate process handled by U.S. Citizenship and Immigration Services (USCIS) and the Department of State, with its own requirements and timescales, distinct from the marriage. Read the official USCIS guidance before setting dates, and never pay an intermediary who promises an outcome.
Mistakes we see most often
Assuming every state is the same. Check the state and county where you will marry.
Forgetting the recording step. The licence must be returned and recorded after the ceremony.
Ignoring the waiting period when fixing dates and travel.
Expired or mismatched documents. Moroccan certificates expire quickly, and spelling differences between documents cause delays.
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