Marrying in Morocco as contract worker

[Crossed_fingers 128]

Happy Christmas Eve to those who celebrate in MENA-land!

I have a quick question. I've read that in order for an American to get married in Morocco, the American needs to provide some sort of proof of employment or proof of income. I am a contract worker, and I would be between projects during trips to Morocco. What sort of proof of employment could I provide in this instance? I think it is almost impossible to get a letter from the place where I last worked. I've also got unemployment insurance that could fill in any time in between contract jobs, if that matters.

Has anyone here married in Morocco while being self-employed or unemployed? Any ideas? Assets, pay stubs that will likely be a couple of months old, proof of unemployment payments? I'm not sure exactly what Morocco is looking for here, so I don't know if there is a minimum amount of money I should try to show or what.....

Thanks in advance!

[Gugusitolindo 32]

Marriages cannot be performed at U.S. Embassies or Consulates, nor do U.S. diplomatic personnel have the authority to preside over marriages. A Moroccan marriage is recognized in the U.S.; you do not need to register your marriage at the U.S. Consulate General in Casablanca.

The length of time needed to marry in Morocco varies. A non-Muslim man who wishes to marry a Muslim woman may anticipate one to three months to complete the process, including the time needed to convert to Islam. In general, the process is less complicated for a Muslim man who wishes to marry a non-Muslim woman.

Documents a U.S. Citizen Needs to Marry in Morocco

Note: These are Moroccan Government requirements, thus all documents not in Arabic must be translated into Arabic.

A valid U.S. passport and copies of the biographic page and the page containing your date of entry to Morocco. Some, but not all, local authorities require the U.S. Consulate General to certify these copies.

If divorced, proof of dissolution of any previous marriage(s). Provide original or certified copies of these documents.

If former spouse is deceased, his or her death certificate. Provide original or certified copies of these documents.

A completed Affidavit of Nationality and Eligibility to Marry. This document may be obtained at the U.S. Consulate General in Casablanca during our public hours. There is a US$ 30 fee for a Consular Officer to notarize the document. The document is in English and you will need to have it translated. This document is the only reason you will need to visit the U.S. Consulate General in relation to getting married in Morocco.

A birth certificate. Provide an original or certified copy of this document.

An American police record must be obtained from a police department in the state where you last resided or from the FBI at: http://www.fbi.gov/hq/cjisd/fprequest.html

If resident in Morocco, a valid residency card.

If resident in Morocco, obtain a Moroccan police record from the Ministry of Justice in Rabat (Office of Penal Affairs and Pardons). (For U.S. citizens resident in Morocco, you will need both an American and Moroccan police record.)

If male, a notarized statement of religious denomination or a certified copy of a

conversion document to Islam. (Conversion documents are obtained from and notarized by adouls, or religious/court notarials, at the Ministry of Justice in Rabat). Women do not need this document.

A medical certificate of good health from a doctor in Morocco. This document must be obtained in Morocco.

Four (4) recent passport photos (3cm x 4cm, please note this is the same size required for a Moroccan passport)

The fee for submitting an application for marriage to an adoul is 150 Moroccan Dirhams.

Important note about document requirements: This list is not exhaustive. Moroccan authorities may ask for additional information or other documents proving evidence of employment or a source of income.

What do I do next?

The marriage process is handled by the Government of Morocco. After obtaining a completed Affidavit of Nationality and Eligibility to Marry, you will not need to return to the U.S. Consulate General in Casablanca. You will need to have your completed Affidavit of Nationality and Eligibility to Marry translated into Arabic. Be certain all documents that are not in Arabic are translated into Arabic.

Take your completed Affidavit of Nationality and Eligibility to Marry and other documents to the following Government of Morocco offices to be certified. There is a fee for this certification. The length of time needed to complete this phase of the process varies from a few days to a few months.

Annexe du Ministère des Affaires Etrangères

Zankat Tetouan

Hassan, Rabat

Tel: 0537-76-61-02

After obtaining the certification from the office listed above, you and your fiancé(e) must contact the Family Law Section at the Prosecutor’s office at the Court of Appeal in the city where you will be married. You will need to provide that office all the required documents. Authorization to marry will be granted after the court completes administrative processing. The length of time required for this process varies. The file with your documents is forwarded to a family judge who will inform you of the next steps you must take in order to obtain your Moroccan marriage certificate.

What I suggest you submit copies of your 1099 if you have contract work, and the evidence of unemployment compensation document you use to file your taxes.

[Crossed_fingers 128]

Thanks for the reply and the ideas. Unfortunately, because of when I became a contractor I won't yet have tax forms from my contract work to show them.

Has anyone else tried to marry in Morocco either while unemployed or doing temp work? I know of women who have married there while receiving SSDI, but I could see that Morocco may view that income differently than unemployment benefits, since they are temporary.

If anyone has either had any trouble with the employment/financial documentation requirement to marry in Morocco, or has done it smoothly without having a regular full-time job at home, I'd really appreciate hearing from you in a PM or reply. Thank you!

[Vanessa1 7]

Thanks for the reply and the ideas. Unfortunately, because of when I became a contractor I won't yet have tax forms from my contract work to show them.

Has anyone else tried to marry in Morocco either while unemployed or doing temp work? I know of women who have married there while receiving SSDI, but I could see that Morocco may view that income differently than unemployment benefits, since they are temporary.

If anyone has either had any trouble with the employment/financial documentation requirement to marry in Morocco, or has done it smoothly without having a regular full-time job at home, I'd really appreciate hearing from you in a PM or reply. Thank you!

I brought my teaching contract and pay stubs. The pay stubs were acceptable and they didn't even look at the contract. If I remember correctly it was asked for at the police station stage of the paperwork, although they may have asked to see it at other stages as well. I can ask my husband if you want more details. But if you have pay stubs I know that was enough when we got married. I believe that as long as it's within 3 months it's ok. Everything seems to have a 3 month expiration date in Morocco but if have something less than 3 months, that's best. I hope this helps.

[Crossed_fingers 128]

Anyone have any experience marrying in Morocco while unemployed or self-employed?