Getting married in Morocco in December 2014 - advice requested

No worries.

Right the first thing you have to do is go to the British embassy in Rabat, this can be booked before you fly then go there on your first day in Morocco. It's a nice city to visit. They will give a certificate of your passport. Everything in English needs to be translated to Arabic but there are lots of places that do it, like solicitors here.

Then you go the aduls office in Marrakech, they will send you to various courts and the police until you have got all the stamps of approval. You can tell the adul you need to return to uk and give permission to carry on in your absence. Then when all that is left to do is the nikkah then you can return with family. I got married in Marrakech and basically you the adul completes the nikkah and it is in a small office, it's not organised and you just have to wait till it is your turn. It's not no ceromony in regards to setting or having guests or anything like that. It's like a doctors surgery!

I'm not sure if you will need a male relative or not, I would find out first but for will definitely need father to complete at the end, unless married before.

What is really important is taking the correct paper work when you go. Is your husband to be Moroccan and in Marrakech? Can he ask the family court what they need, it could have changed.

A fixer is basically someone who helps out and pays bribes. I didn't know the money I gave was for 'easing' things but unfortunately it was.

Are you aware of the five year spouse visa route? You have to earn £18.6k, visa costs about £1000 then £695 after 2.5 years for renewal and £200 a year nhs fee. Husband needs English certificate too.

There will probably be more recent posts on papers needed etc but ask away and will try to remember, it was over three years ago

Thank you sooooo much. I had read it was a small office and more of a formality, but im sure my mum and walli will want to be present. Like you said i will need my father or brother present for the nikkah (as i have never been married before).

Yes he is moroccan and in marrakesh. We will be applying for a UK visa for him and in terms of financisl requirements etc its all fine alhamdulillah. Im more concerned about getting approval from courts because some posts on this thread/site say it can take several months which i have been really worried about. But i feel better now knowing that i dont need to stay and wait in marrakesh whilst its all being dealt with.

I am visiting my husband-to-be inshaaAllah in a few weeks time in marrakech so i will go to the marrakesh family court and get a list of documents required. Im assuming i dont need an appointment for that. That way i will gather all my documents here in the UK to take woth me in april.

Sorry to ask but are you male or female? If you are female and didnt need a male relative with you at all times then i suppose i wont either.

How much did it cost u in total (approximately) for getting court approval? Translation fees etc included?

Also when you're running around getting papers stamped etc from different offices do both parties (my husband-to-be and myself) have to be present at all times/days?

Its just that he works 6 days a week in marrakesh and only has set holidays from work 😕

Many thanks again for your help and reassurance

My wife said you both need to be present so he will need to take time of work. We did a lot of waiting around at various courts, police departments etc. I'm not sure at what point you can give them permission to carry on in your absence, it's probably afte the police have given their go ahead.

I would look at it another way. Try and complete the nikkah, regardless of if your family are their or not and see the marriag as being completed once you have got the visa issued. It's a little different to when I got married as I'm male but the really it's the same. After completing the nikkah I was surprised we wasn't allowed to share a bed! But no parent is going to want his daughte pregnant and stuck in different countries if you don't get a visa. So why don't you try to complete the nikka in the two weeks, have a small wedding party in Marrakech and then have another wedding party in uk after visa. Then your parents can go to Marrakech, planned in advance, for what you can call the wedding visa party or if you can't complete in time then just to meet and get to know their family.

I went with about £2k, I think £400 on rings and most of the rest on fees, travel, food, taxes, fixers translations etc. Probably did some shopping and left some behind too. Maybe £1k should be enough. British embassy take about £100 of you.

The other option is he comes to uk on a marriage visa and you get married here, with you being the woman I think that would be a lot better option. I couldn't do that because the family couldn't just stick her on a plane and hope for the best, so I did that instead!

I would first visit CAB (Citizens Advice Bureau)/Immigration adviser/Lawyer - whatever appropriate expert - and present your case. Based on your situation, they can hopefully advise you on your chances of being granted a spouse visa for your husband-to-be. Last thing you would want is after going through all that just to get married, is to be turned down for a visa! He would be furious, asking why you married him and left him stuck there! Damn that won't be a laughing matter. So better not let him down. Before I went to my country for the purpose of marriage, I ensured my chances of being granted the visa for her was pretty much guaranteed. And then I went. While nothing in life is guaranteed (apart from taxes and death of course), I wanted to make sure that I wouldn't have any problems later down the line (especially problems with her endless abuse if she didn't get a visa). So this is what you should do first! Prepare! Figure out your chances of visa approval if you want to avoid unnecessary headache. If you don't know about it, CAB gives you free basic advice, on a walk in - first come, first serve basis on certain days, including on immigration matters, so it's worth a visit. A few of the spouse visa requirements has been mentioned here on this thread, and elsewhere on the site, but it doesn't tick all the boxes. Another thing for instance is Accommodation (adequate in size, and permission from the landlord where appropriate), and a few other things. While all the necessary info for a spouse visa can indeed be obtained from the official government website (gov.uk), it's better if you speak to someone who has actual knowledge. Laws constantly change. And you might misinterpret something, and only realize the error too late.

- Ensure your case is water-tight before travelling to Morocco.

- Investigate whether you're eligible for a Fiance-Visa. That way you can bring him here, get married quickly, without all the fuss that marriage in Morocco entails. I suppose you would need to again pay for a Spouse-Visa, but don't forget the costs involved in getting married in Morocco in the first place. It probably won't be a big cost difference, and even if it was, the convenience of getting married here in contrast with there, is worth the extra costs.

- If you are going to go for the Spouse-Visa route directly, then you will need to start applying asap for your Police Record, and Certificate of non-Impediment. I don't know when you plan to get married, but I believe they have an expiry date (if memory serves me right), I don't know, of 3 months? Meaning that they won't accept them in Morocco if they were issued over a certain time-frame. I don't know what they accept and what they don't. I went to the British embassy in my country to hand in the impediment cert/police cert at court, so basing it on that. Whatever it is, it takes a few weeks to get these required documents, so make sure you apply in time so you can take them with you when you go to start the process there. It's important you take all the necessary documents with you, otherwise you will be forced to fly back, and bring them. Even things like proof you're Muslim (certificate from your Masjid/Islamic Centre) is probably needed. Even I as an Arabic speaker, had to bring such evidence! I never thought it was necessary for someone like me. Point being, ensure you know exactly what's needed there (your fiance can help you out with the list of docs), so you don't mistakenly leave anything behind. One thing I noticed from my time on this site, is it appears many are simply rushing to get married there without much thought given to it. Take your time. Preparing carefully now will save a great deal of disappointment later on.

Best of luck for the future.

Hi again

Thank you so much for the detailed response.

Wow didnt think it would cost up to £2000 just to ger court approval to grt married. But i suppose you have included the cost of rings and the usual travel/holiday expenses. That aside, £1000 seems more reasonable for all the paperwork etc.

I know what you are saying re having a ceremony after the visa bt inshaaAllah I think i will take get everything signed and stamped etc and ask the Adoul to delay the nikka to when i return in August with parents/walli inshaaAllah... As i have a feeling that as a female I will not be able to have my nikkah done without a male relatuve present. So it would make sense to sort out all the paper work etc with the courts in april, then go back for nikkah in august when i can take parents/walli with me... that way we can have a small party there after nikkah with his family, and any of my family who go with me.

Hopefully once he has the visa (which can tske several months) and comes to the UK we will have a party in the UK again with family and friends who were unable to travel to morocco.

And yes we have the option of him coming to the UK on a fiance visa which would most definitely make life easier as we could have a nikkah here and then registry. I am considering this too. So far we meet all the requirements, however although he still needs to take his english test. The only other issue with fiance route is that his parents and family would not be present during or after the nikkah. Ideally i wouod like them to be included in the whole process as much as possible and be presrnt at the party following the nikkah.

Thank u so much once again for all your help

Hi XB23

Thank you for your advice.

I'm not too worried about the visa process at the moment. I meet all the requirements alhamdulillah, anything that i dont meet at the moment such as accomodation will be sorted inshaaAllah by the time i get married and apply for a visa. And he will be taking his english test beforehand inshaaAllah as that is also a requirement.

The visa process hopefully wont be an issue inshaaAllah as I worked in Immigration Law and dealt with such applications daily, also have a few friends who still specialise in immigration law.

I want to take the whole thing one at a time inshaaAllah. First thing is to get all papers/documents and get court approval. After that i will arrange to return for the nikkah and party.

Once thats done i will start to worry about the visa application.

Thank u for the well wishes. I just pray that Allah makes everything run smoothly.

When i visist in a few weeks i will go to the family court in marrakesh and get a list of all the documents neededd and their expiry/validity etc, hopefully they will tell me the cost of things too so I can make sure i go with all the correct documents and money in march/april inshaaAllah

I was speaking under the assumption that law won't be your background, so anyway, visa requirements won't be an issue for you then. That's good, as it's the main part.

He was speaking as a male, so I guess he has the obligation to pay for all expenses incurred, including jewellery and whatever else that goes with marriage. But you as a female, it shouldn't come anywhere close to 2 grand at all (unless you're willing to be the one paying for it all).

Well actually I don't know about the culture there, maybe the bride's family is expected to chip in or whatever. Or even pay for the entire thing. No idea. So I guess how much you need to take will depend on what's expected from you, but I thought at least for the costs related to travel/docs/translation/hosting/food etc, will all be on the male, and in that case, you won't need to take a lot.

Thanks and you were right with your advice re visa. I have had many clients in the past who have tried to make their own visa apps and made mistakes which delayed the whole thing.

Re cost - i was asking about the approx cost of just getting forms/papers and then getting them translated, and police report etc from morocco. So basically when i go in MArch/april for the purposes of grtting papers stamped, translated and approved etc and any court fees is the cost i was hoping to find out.

The other costs re actual celebration such as rings jewellery etc will be dealt with when i go back in august 2016 so not worried about that as such as its all down to personal preference and we will split the cost.

When i go in a few weeks i will visit the family coirt and get as much info inshaaAllah.

Thanks again, i appreciate all advice/tips/input

Hi

Sorry to be such a pain, i have a question. You said we both need to be present during the two weeks we are going from office to another etc.

In that 2 weeks for example will we have to go somewhere everyday?

Or when people say it can take 2 weeks do they include the time you are waiting to have a decision? Or does this mean we will literally be going somewhere every single day?

Sorry again for asking so many questions. Im just eager to be as prepared as possible, and I am a little worried taking the whole two weeks off in march/april may not be possible for my husband-to-be.

No worries, I know it's quite an adventure into the unknown.

Basically how it works is you submit your papers at one place, say family court, then once they have finished with it you take it to the next place, say back to the adul. They will give you an idea on when it will be ready but they don't ring or email when ready so you have to go back and see. Somethings are done while you wait, or the same day or when they feel like it. You will need lots of patience and spend lots of time waiting around. I was leaving the house by 8am to get to places for when they open. You go later and you could just que till they close then start queuing again the next day. It's a backwards system over their. It's good you are doing some in April and returning later. I can't remember the whole process but I remember I was waiting for different things to be ready so not everything is step by step, but some are.

Me I don't like wedding rings, I wouldn't have brought one for the wife or myself as there is no basis in Islam for this. I did so for the pictures for the visa. Never wore it since. The family did try to get me to dress in traditional Moroccan wedding clothes , they tried really hard, without success . You being a woman will probably have to have about five different outfits to change into. I rented these out and the Moroccan riffle lads who did a little show. Also the food for the guests. I can't remember what cost what but this all came out of the £2k.

Don't worry about the visa. If you earn the money, you have a place to live and you can show it's a real marriage then I'm sure they will issue it in a few months. Keep emails, phone bills, Skype records, details of visits passport copies showing in and out stamps etc and photos and DVDs of wedding. They will be happy to take your money for the visa, then again after 30 months, then some more for indefinite leave and citizenship - it pays their wages!

I just reapplied after the 30 months, they rejected it and gave me my money back because I didn't pay £500 nhs surcharge . I submitted another application £695 and paid the nhs surcharge and they processed it quite quickly. The good thing now is you get a biometric card instead of a paper in your passport. Before if the passport expired you had to pay for a new paper for your passport. It's all business.

You will read a lot of negative stuff about Moroccans on here. Morocco is a poor country. People in the uk can't comprehend being poor and what you would do in the same situation. But there is a social code there based on Islam, I found the people to be very friendly. Some of the people have got hardly anything and will give you everything they got. It is very good to have a Moroccan connection, low priced flights and not to far away. Your children learn Arabic, get to experience a Muslim country and there are lots of different places to go in Morocco, with different things to offer. I think I will migrate their when I stop working, house prices are a lot lower than here.

Salaams

JazakAllah, i feel a lot more positive after reading your message. I have read different messages on different threads today and have been worrying this afternoon that things wont work out. Your message has reminded me of the many positives about marrying a moroccan.

I never would have imagined that i'd be wanting to marry someone abroad, but life works in mysterious ways sometimes. My husband-to-be (i call him that instead of fiance as theres no such thing as fiance in islam)... anyway he has already brought me closer to my deen, ensuring i pray on time, or asking ALlah for help even if perhaps its for selfish reasons such as making dua to Allah for things to work out smoothly for us without any major complications or delays.

£2000 for the whole process (including party etc) is fine inshaaAllah as long as i am still earning. I will make all my enquiries in a few weeks when im there inshaaAllah.

Its nice to hear of success stories, im glad ur wifes visa was accepted. I pray you have a blessed life together, a lifetime of happiness with one another, and may Allah bless u with beautiful healthy pious children. Ameen.

Thank u again...sooo much. Your message has made me feel a lot more positive and put me at ease. I prayed istikhara several times in the early days which lead me to my decision (of marrying him inshaaAllah) and things have been going well so far. A few messages today made me worry, but you have erased most of my fears. I will continue to have tawakkul in Allah and pray for things to fall into place soon.

JazakAllah khayr

I would do the celebration only after the visa has first been approved. In a way, it would be a double celebration.

Nothing wrong with calling him fiance. Engagement is acceptable.

Anyway, I don't think you're asking too many questions at all. If it was me, I would put everyone to sleep. Such is my obsession with minute detail. If you live in London, there is a Moroccan-Consulate that deals with all sorts of stuff so maybe you can pop-in, and ask any specific questions you have about the process. I'm sure they would be glad to assist.

Thanks. Im hoping to have a celebration there after nikkah but before visa. Also the dvd and pics of celebration will also  cm in handy as evidence for visa app. Only having a small celebrstion there for his family mainly. I will have my party after the visa once he is in england inshaaAllah with rest of my family and friends.

im the same, i cant rest until i have all the info i need. Its just tje way i am i suppose.

Im in the uk bt just outside of london so dnt have time to visit the moroccan consulate in london bt have been meaning to call them since last week bt they close at 2pm and iv just been so busy at work lately.

Wa alaykum salaam

Yeah don't worry, you did istikarah. I had been Morocco twice before I got married just for holidays. I never imagined I would marry from abroad but it happened quickly and has brought a lot of benefits I would haven't of had if marrying from here. I have been Morocco I think eight times now and it takes some adjusting to, it's a different system their but once you get use to it, it's good. My Arabic has improved, my children learn Arabic easy from the beginning. There is a nice family network in Morocco, when you go it's visiting lots of people and they are very hospitable. Also if you got family to stay with, you can easily get a coach to agadir or essouria for a break.

Does your husband to be have a line of work he can do in the uk? Maybe it would be better for you to go to Marrakech and live their?

I think you are waiting a long time to get married, if you have both decided to marry then best to do so quickly. You leave the door open for the shaytarn to put doubts and worries in.

You will get a lot of negative posts on this site, but deep down these people love Morocco. If you meet the husbands to be family and they are good, most likely he will be good too. I've met lots of Moroccan mixed marriages and never seen any visa scams or the like everyone talks about. If the brother is on his deen then the rest is just practicalities

Barak Allah feeq

Jojojojojo2015 wrote:

Thanks. Im hoping to have a celebration there after nikkah but before visa. Also the dvd and pics of celebration will also  cm in handy as evidence for visa app. Only having a small celebrstion there for his family mainly. I will have my party after the visa once he is in england inshaaAllah with rest of my family and friends.

im the same, i cant rest until i have all the info i need. Its just tje way i am i suppose.

Im in the uk bt just outside of london so dnt have time to visit the moroccan consulate in london bt have been meaning to call them since last week bt they close at 2pm and iv just been so busy at work lately.

- Yeah it can be a little stressful having this sort of un-wanted feeling/urge that everything needs to be taken care of, that there are un-answered questions, feeling worried that you're missing something, and so on. It does consume me at times, and has taken it's toll from time to time. That's because I overthink everything, even when there is no need for it. But I don't think there is anything to fear in terms of paper-work. It's clear to all the process is is quite a lengthy one, but it doesn't appear to be complicated as many have been there, done that. If they've all  managed it, and now living together, then you will too. So there is absolutely nothing to worry about if you're confident in the zawaj. Whatever fate has in store, lets hope it's pleasant.

- In that case, send them an e-mail.

Salaams,

I completely agree with you about shaytan, and thats the reason i havent had an official engagement, and only want a nikkah because its the only islamically binding thing.

The reason i am leaving it so late is because i only have holidays feom work at set times of the year. I have a prebooked holiday in the christmas hols. After that i have a week off in feb but i dont think a week is enough for getting all the papers sorted in marrakesh which is why i have decided to wait until end of march when i have two weeks holiday to go and sort all the documents out there.

When i come back, i wish to return for the final stage of the whole process (receiving the decision on whether its approved or not, and having my nikkah inshaaAllah).

I know iv said i want to get married in August and will be returning in August (after my march/april visit), because i have a few weeks off then, but if all goes well in april and we get the approval soon after, i may return to marrakesh sooner than august to have my appointment with the adoul for the nikka...either in June but if my holidays fall within ramadan then i will go in july/august inshaaAllah after ramadan. i have to take ramadan into consideration, as well as when my walli is available to accompany me for the nikkah (thats if i need him present).

I agree with what you say about the people of morocco and how friendly they are. My fourth visit will be in a few weeks and im looking forward to it.

As for living there permanantly...well he wanted me to but i have persuaded him england is the better option... reason being i think i would find it difficult living there longterm. If i was to work there i wouldnt be saving, id probably just be making ends meet. That would be difficult, and i feel marriage in itself is such a huge life changing experience anyway so i dont want to add to that by having to adjust and adapt to a life im not used to. For him to come to england it would be different, although he will obviously have to adjust and adapt, the lifestyle here is a lot more comfortable financially speaking.

Also I have heard from other friends who live in marrakesh that the education system isnt great, and poverty is a huge problem. I wouldnt want to put my future children through that when I can inshaaAllah give them a good education and start to life in the UK. But for holidays its great and i love it.

Re his family - i met them in June. MashaAllah they are a humble, hospitable kind family and it was really nice to meet them. I just hope when parents/families meet each other it goes just as well inshaaAllah.

Thank u for your positivity and kind words.

Thank you XB23, inshaaAllah you too.

When did u get married? And was it in morocco also?

Do u live in the uk, or have u moved to morocco?

Salaam

I think it would be a lot easier for him to come here on a marriage visitor visa, get married and then apply for spouse visa. It would cost less too. Applying for the spouse visa is £1049 in Rabat or £649 in the uk, plus you won't have the experience and cost of the Moroccan marriage process.

Yes your right the uk is a lot better place to earn money and Marrakech is going to be difficult if you don't speak Arabic or French. Also it is good for the woman to be near family and friends more so than the man, especially with children.

Glad you are happy with the family, that's really important. Hope all goes well inshAllah

No. I had considered moving there, but decided not to for plenty of good reasons. It was certainly very disappointing, and I've let my feelings known about it, to the anger of many members of this site who are either married to Moroccans or have a business there or whatever interest in the country, so defend it out of emotion. The current situation in my own country means it wasn't an option to live there before anyone says why don't I move there. I would love to, but can't at the moment. I then looked into Morocco due to similar culture/religion, or at least what I thought was religion, and desire to live in a different environment for some change, and the fact it's only 3 hours away from me, and relatively stable. I live in a community full of them, that's how I first found out about the country, as many of them head there during their holiday, so I decided to check it out. As for marriage, most Islamic-marriages are pretty similar in their requirements regardless of country where it takes place. Certificate of non-impediment/police record/personal details like job,accommodation etc/Proof of religion are pretty much general documents needed in most places. In some places, you need to bring someone along with you, so do check if that's the case.

Anyway, you shouldn't care what people online say. People talk about my country on a daily basis but I don't feel offended as unlike others, I'm actually aware it's not a jennah and does have it's problems which I'm willing to acknowledge. Heck I criticize it on a number of forums regularly, to the point I'm quite fearful of travelling there now as I think I'm probably wanted for questioning. As for my disappointment in Moroccans, it's mostly down to the fact I actually live among them, so know exactly what they are like, and that's reflected in some of my comments. I've had plenty of problems with them, and still do. I don't think there is a sizable community of them outside London, so others don't have any experience with them. Going on holiday is different than living with them on a daily basis. Obviously anyone taking someone out of any third world country, and offering them an opportunity to live in a first, will be treated incredibly well by the entire family because they can and generally do benefit from this in the future. So I do find it quite bizarre when people talk about so-called hospitality, not realizing they are doing them a great favour and hence the treatment in return. Those around me don't need anything from me, so they are happy to show their true colours. Someones real character is best tested when they are in the same situation as the other, with neither needing the other. I do receive msg's from people who've read my comments, who don't want to cause a scene by posting it publicly as they've seen what people can be like on here to those they disagree with. For instance, plenty of people, have been banned, including myself several times, for basically speaking it as it is. Some of them were the biggest contributors to this forum, keeping it alive, hugely experienced expats who we all benefited from, which is why it's gone quiet since, as people are forced to keep their honest views to themselves or face abuse.

Unfortunately the marriage visitor visa does not allow you to stay and apply for a spouse vias whilst in the uk. He would have to return to morocco and apply from there. Marriage visitor visa is for those who want to marry i  the uk but not settle in the UK. Its also hard to get unless the foreigner has strong ties to their home country. otherwise this would have been the simplest option 

The fiance visa is for those who want to marry and settle in the uk, but again must return after 6 months. The requirements are similar to spouse visa for this. Also difficult to get unless someone has sonething to return to in their home country like a decent job, their own home, considerable amount of savings in the bank etc. Some people dont bother returning at the end of the 6 months and stay illegally which is why theyre so strict on this. Someone on this forum has nentioned their fiance visa has been rejected 3 times now.

Thats why, as much as id much rather avoid the long process of gaining approval in morocco, it seems like the only way.

As a muslim country you would think they would make nikkah easy for muslims. A simple nikkah shouldn't need, in my opinion, a police/medical check etc. Islam has made nikkah so simple, yet people just complicate things. But oh well... its a money-making thing for them partly im sure.

And thank you... inshaaAllah it will. I will keep you posted

Jojojojojo2015 wrote:

Unfortunately the marriage visitor visa does not allow you to stay and apply for a spouse vias whilst in the uk. He would have to return to morocco and apply from there. Marriage visitor visa is for those who want to marry i  the uk but not settle in the UK. Its also hard to get unless the foreigner has strong ties to their home country. otherwise this would have been the simplest option 

The fiance visa is for those who want to marry and settle in the uk, but again must return after 6 months. The requirements are similar to spouse visa for this. Also difficult to get unless someone has sonething to return to in their home country like a decent job, their own home, considerable amount of savings in the bank etc. Some people dont bother returning at the end of the 6 months and stay illegally which is why theyre so strict on this. Someone on this forum has nentioned their fiance visa has been rejected 3 times now.

Thats why, as much as id much rather avoid the long process of gaining approval in morocco, it seems like the only way.

As a muslim country you would think they would make nikkah easy for muslims. A simple nikkah shouldn't need, in my opinion, a police/medical check etc. Islam has made nikkah so simple, yet people just complicate things. But oh well... its a money-making thing for them partly im sure.

And thank you... inshaaAllah it will. I will keep you posted

I see, best to go the Moroccan route then. The reason it is difficult now is because too many rich Muslims from gulf countries where going to Morocco, marrying pretty girls and then abandoning them after their holiday their. Often leaving them pregnant with no financial support.

XB23 is quite right in what he says. You will have to control people's expectations. A European is rich in Morocco in a way. I see people who eat in McDonald's in uk as poor but in Morocco they are seen as rich. I neve go to Morocco with gifts. A custome when visiting people is to take yougurt and bread or whatever, I said from the start I'm not Moroccan and I'm not doing this. One relative asked my wife's family if I send money over! Never ever, I don't bank roll anyone. I do pick up the costs of visits to uk, the odd meal out or I might come back with some sweets etc but I made it quite clear I don't chuck money around in the uk or abroad. The family never asked or expected, just happy I give their daughter a good life but most Moroccans would expect a lot more from me. I know many others who send money back. I said to my wife forget about working and if you do work definitely forget about sending money home, use to for the canoe we are paddling not someone else's.

If you keep the purse open I'm sure you will find lots of people willing to dive in, I don't necessarily mean husband to be or family, but Morocco is a poor country. I would never do business their, it's too risky. An example you rent out a flat, tenants don't pay, it takes ten years through the courts to get your flat back and you had to pay bribes. As you know their are lots of begging in the streets of Morocco. Sometimes I can't help giving a little but it never ends so best to just ignore, a lot only complain you didn't give enough anyway.

When my wife got here I said there are lots of Moroccans in Leicester, she said I don't want Moroccan friends. I understand why, a lot would come to eat all the time, bringing their friends too. My house would become a Moroccan cafe!

I did teach my 18month old son to put his hand out and say bismillah , which I found really funny but he has forgot now and it was wrong.

The thing with these forums is you don't know the people who are getting married and presumptions can be good or bad. You sound like you have got your head screwed on, meet the family, looked at what is required. Anyone you could marry could be good or bad.

It will be a challenge for your husband-to-be to financial support the family, it is for most here. With your job you can help out in the beginning but you will have to make it clear it's not your responsibility. He works six days a week anyway so I'm sure he will want to carry on doing the same here.

Many Moroccans think that in the uk we all get benefits from the government and the streets are lined with gold but once here they see how it is.

Any way I'm sure you will enjoy the marriage process in Morocco, it's like a triathlon, in the hot weather and each day is a challeng, reacting to what happens at each office. During this time you will see husband-to-be under pressure and see how he copes with it all. It is quite a good process really, you have plenty of time to back out if you feel you are making a mistake. Mine was difficult as my wife's English wasn't that great at the time, translating was hard work for here and it's hard to translate when you don't completely know what's going on.

Really it's a good start to a marriage, as you have just been through it together and got to know each other under the circumstances.

Jojojojojo2015 -  "its a money-making thing for them partly im sure."

That's precisely why I found Morocco very disappointing. When I said there was no deen, well actually there was - deenul dollar. Everything there appeared to me to revolve around money. Getting anything done tended to involve paying a rashwa. Without it, don't expect much. This is of course not the right way Islamically to deal with people, that's what I meant by there is no deen, because of this obsession with getting filoooooooss using any way. Including lying.

As for my issue with some Moroccans, that's because I've found them generally hot-headed, very aggressive, with a short-fuse. And quite deceiving. Not all of them are like that, but you wouldn't want to upset them or deal with them in any money related matter. Very nice on one-hand when you're friends, and quite the opposite when you're not. It seems to be one extreme or the other. I've had run-ins with them even in a Mosque, out of all places, where they would push in the queue after Maghrib prayer to get their iftar before you. Oh, and Algerians are similar. So maybe it's a berber thing to be quick to resort to violence to deal with disputes. As you may have guessed, I've had a few fights with them.

As for why the marriage process is lengthy there, it's probably to do with the fact many Muslims from all walks of life are using the place for the purpose of a mut'ah marriage. Having their fun in a "halal" manner, then that's it. Gone and never to return back to their "wife". Maybe they should head off to Iran for that. It suits them. It's good the Moroccan government saw them for what they are and dealt with this issue. It's unfair exploiting the poverty in the country, flashing your cash about, making false promises, getting them in bed, then running off. Personally I know a few guys here, Muslim and non-Muslim alike, who went to Morocco to have a "good time". Disgusting. It upsets me greatly how cheaply they view them. I hope the marriage process is toughened further.

GoldKhalipha - "You will have to control people's expectations. A European is rich in Morocco in a way."

Exactly - that was the problem I faced. The thing is, Morocco attracts the very wealthy from the Gulf, America, Asia, Europe, and elsewhere, who come and holiday there, and even have multi-million pound properties. Including the famous - Premiership footballers, Hollywood actors, etc. David Beckham quite recently celebrated his 40th birthday at a luxury resort there. Not all of us foreigners are in the same level as them. Not even close. Yet I found myself getting treated that way. Unlike the very rich, we must plan our travels carefully financially-wise to avoid problems down the road. I don't have that freedom the rich do, to go around spending all over the place to my hearts content. So it ruins the experience when you realize many are trying to eat at a limited amount that you brought along with you. Believe me, I do have a heart, and sympathize with the less fortunate. I did give anyone who asked, and had to stop when I got told off by the Moroccan guy with me because he said they are not genuine beggars. Regardless of whether they are or are not, I didn't mind giving them 10, 20 dirhams. But it seemed endless, and I would run of money if I kept doing that every day. It is a poor country compared to the UK, but my own is suffering far more at the moment, and people say Alhamdulilah for the very little to nothing they have. They don't view foreigners/visitors as a walking cash-machine. Maybe the rich foreigners who travel to Morocco have given the people the false impression we are all alike. Also those going to visit their family like to give the appearance they are doing great abroad by coming along with gifts they've saved up to afford. So they might not be at fault for thinking we have plenty to throw around. I would love to collect the pound notes that seemingly grows on the trees here, and give it to them all, but that's not how life here works!

Trying to stay there, living like a local, didn't work out for me. I've got the same mentality as them when it comes to driving a hard bargain, not wasting pointlessly, and spending only on what is necessary. I naively thought speaking the language would mean I would fit right in with them. But I was always viewed as foreign, and dealt with like one, to my anger, no matter how hard I tried. I guess I should blame myself for this outcome I wasn't expecting. The trick to enjoying yourself there is to accept that you may have to spend more than you would otherwise like (including in bribes), pay a higher price than locals, but that's not what I do here. An expat who lives there told me he avoids it by arguing with them, and not letting them get away with it. For instance he wouldn't leave and would remain in the Taxi until the guy gives him the exact change back. That's against my personality. I rather just pay whatever it is they ask, and get out of there, than sit and argue. So for someone who doesn't shy away from holding their ground, they will do fine there.

hello how are you?
i want to ask some questions about morocco marriage ..can you help me please ?
as i am living in Pakistan (muslim) and i want to marry a moroccon boy(muslim)
he is living in fes morocco..do you have any knowledge about this ?
thank you ..and if any one has any information please private messgae me or give me your facebook id so i can get reply fast..again thanks

Salaams, apologies for the late reply. Im in marrakesh now and have just visited the court to get a list of all documents required.

Bumped into a female Lawyer at the court who gave me a quote of 7000 dh for badically submitting my documents (and i suppose chasing the courts for a decison). Thats around £600 i think. A bit extortionate id say. Does anyone know of any solicitor/lawyer in marrakesh they would recommend? Or does anyone at least have some experience of the same thing and can advise of how much they paid a Lawyer so I know what to expect and not get ripped off?

Thank you so much in advance.

Jojo

Also I asked the Lawyer if I need a mehram present and she said no because Im not moroccan, but i dont think she knew herself. I will take my brother with me inshaaAllah when I return for the actual nikkah as im sure iv read in this forum somewhere that I would need a father/brother present for the nikkah as im Muslim and have never been married. When i visited the court today it was so busy and no reception or help desk, i just asked the first two people i saw in official lawyer gowns. I didnt grt to ask anyone about if i need a brother or father present during any other stage such as when visiting the aduls office initially and going to courts to get documents stamped. The lawyer i did speak to kept saying she is 100% sure i dont need a male relative so i just hope she is right because not everyone can take time off work each time i need to come to marrakesh for this. Keep me in ur duas please.
W/salaam

is it necessary to bring ur father or brother as ur muslim .. i dont have  a brother and my father cant travel.. so can u tell is it compulsory ?

I asked a lawyer and she said no. But i dont think she usually deals with marriage matters. Its probably best you contact a lawyer their or the courts somehow who deal with these matters and find out for sure.

To be on the safe side i plan to take my brother when i go for the signing of the marriage contract inshaaAllah

The father has to be give permission for the daughter to marry, unless daughter has been married before, in islam. Because of this i'm quite certain the adul will not complete the marriage without the fathers permission. If father cant be there in person then you need to speak to aduls office for advise. Only accept the advise from the adul. I found in morocco everyone wants to give advise, wants to be helpful, but always ask the person that makes the decision

Thank you so much for this info!
Congratulations

I will be going at the end of February to marry my fiancé in Morocco and it's nice to see a good guide line to go by.  I only have two weeks to complete everything. Inshallah
I don't speak Arabic or French either might be crazy .

2 weeks us very tight!!
You need to be super organized.
I wrote a more detailed response ... but It accidental got deleted.

Watch out for the police.  If you still need to get some paper from them.  If they lie or write anything suggesting the Moroccan person is getting married to be able to leave or suggesting it is a business marriage you are in deep trouble.  We had this problem and it almost ruined out wedding plans.

I think I created a letter my parents signed.  I think I also needed my parents IDs.  They need your parents information for the marriage act.

Better to ask the Adul you plan to deal with in advanced.  In my opinion the Aduls have all the power in the end.

Hello! Can I bring my background check from where I live or it has to be statewide?