Morocco is not party to the Hague Convention on Protection of Children and Co-operation in Respect of Intercountry Adoption (Hague Adoption Convention). Intercountry adoptions of children from non-Hague countries are processed in accordance with 8 Code of Federal Regulations, Section 204.3 as it relates to orphans as defined under the Immigration and Nationality Act, Section 101(b)(1)(F).
IMPORTANT NOTICE FOR ADOPTIVE PARENTS: Although this website uses the term “adoption” throughout, prospective adoptive parents considering adopting a Moroccan child should be aware that Moroccan law and process provide for a custody/guardianship certificate issued for the purpose of the child’s immigration and adoption. In Morocco, this guardianship is referred to as “Kafala” and is awarded by a Moroccan court. Under these circumstances, an eligible child will be issued a category IR-4 immigrant visa, and will need to fulfill certain requirements, including the child’s adoption after arrival in the United States, before the child may acquire U.S. citizenship under the Child Citizenship Act of 2000.
If you are in the beginning stages of the adoption process in Morocco and would like to learn about the following:
- Immigration Requirements
- Who Can Adopt
- Who Can Be Adopted
- How to Adopt
- How to Obtain Legal and Physical Custody of the Child in Morocco
- Traveling Abroad and enrolling in the Smart Traveler Enrollment Program (STEP)
please visit the State Department’s website on Intercountry Adoption.
Once you are in Morocco, please read the following information on required documentation and how to schedule an interview at the U.S. Consulate General Casablanca.
Gathering Required Documents
Once in Morocco, you will need to appear before a Kafala court. If your case is approved, the Kafala court will issue you the following required documents for your interview:
- An Abandonment Order;
- A Grant of Kafala Guardianship;
- An Execution Order of the Kafala Judgment (where the court transfers physical custody of the child from his/her previous guardians to you);
- An Authorization to Apply for the Child’s Passport;
- An Authorization to leave Morocco and Permanently Reside with the Child Abroad;
These documents will give you permission to take the child out of Morocco for the purposes of immigration and adoption in the United States.
- Morocco ’s Kafala Guardianship Authority:
Ministry of Justice
Le Ministère de la Justice et des Libertés
Place el Mamounia, Rabat, Morocco
Tel: +212 (0) 537-732-941 to 946
Fax: +212 (0) 537-734-725
Internet: justice.gov.ma (currently, in Arabic only)
Translation
The official court documents from the Kafala Guardianship Authority will be written in Arabic. Therefore, you will need to obtain sworn English translations for each document listed above. The Consulate does not provide translation services. A list of translators is available here. Please note, the Consulate assumes no responsibility for the professional ability or integrity of the individuals or firms listed.
Copies
Be sure to make a copy of each official document and attach the relevant certified translation to it. All of your original Kafala court documents will be returned to you after the interview. We will keep the copies of the Kafala documents and the original, certified translations.
Apply for the Adopted Child’s Moroccan Birth Certificate and Passport
- Birth Certificate
If you have obtained a Kafala guardianship certificate in Morocco for the purpose of adopting your child in the United States, you will first need to apply for a new birth certificate for your child. Your name will be added to the new birth certificate. - How to obtain a new birth certificate for the child in Morocco
A court issued abandonment order is required to apply for the child’s local birth certificate at a local administrative office. - How to obtain a Passport for your child in Morocco
Your child is not yet a U.S. citizen, so he/she will need a travel document or passport from Morocco. Once the prospective adoptive parents receive a court-issued abandonment order, and obtain an authorization to apply for the child’s Moroccan passport, they may apply for the child’s passport at a local administrative office or city hall. It is important that you apply in the city hall located at your adopted child’s official city of residence. Your adoption agency will be able to guide you through this process. Obtaining a passport can take anywhere from two days to two weeks.
Schedule Your Interview
Once you have all your Kafala documents in order and received your adopted child’s passport, then you are ready to schedule your interview at the U.S. Consulate General Casablanca.
Please email CasaAdoptions@state.gov to schedule your appointment.
Scheduling the Medical Exam
After receiving your adopted child’s passport and scheduling your interview, you will need to schedule a medical examination by one of our panel physicians below. Please contact the panel physician of your choice and make an appointment to have the child examined a few days before your visa interview.
Janah Abdelaziz
104 Blvd Abdelmoumen
3eme Etage (3rd Floor), Apt: 8
Casablanca, Morocco
Telephone: 0522-23-01-01
Mounia Berrada Belkhayat
15 Rue Kadi Lass
Maarif, Casablanca, Morocco
Telephone: 0522-25-14-34
What You Will Need for Your Interview
In addition to the Kafala documents, copies, and certified translations, you will need to bring the following to the interview:
- Your adopted child’s Moroccan passport
- Your adopted child’s original birth certificate with a certified English translation
- A completed Form I-600 with your adopted child’s information. You can find the form here.
- A completed Form DS-260, with your adopted child’s information. The form must be completed online.
- Your adopted child’s CSB Case Number (i.e., CSB20XXXXXXXX)
- Affidavit of Support (Form I-864 and I-864A) and your most recent tax return transcripts
- Your adopted child’s medical exam (which will be given to you in a sealed envelope that you cannot open)
- Exemption for your adopted child’s immunization requirement
- Two photos of your adopted child (2 inches x 2 inches with a white or light-colored background)
- A $325 Immigrant Visa Fee payable at the U.S. Consulate General Casablanca in U.S. dollars or Moroccan dirham
- Copies of all original documents with certified translations
- Your local telephone number in Morocco (if applicable)
You will also need an original or copy of an agreement with an accredited Adoption Service Provider.
At the Interview
When you arrive at the U.S. Consulate General Casablanca, you will be asked to show your appointment confirmation form. This document will be sent to you by email prior to the appointment. You will then pass through security. Please be aware that you will not be able to enter with any electronics or large bags, such as a backpack.
Please bring all of the required documents with you to the interview. During the interview, the consular officer adjudicating your case will make sure all the required documents are in order and will return all original Kafala authorization documents to you.
If you are missing any documents or your case requires further administrative review or processing, the case will be refused under Section 221(g) of the Immigration and Nationality Act until missing documents are submitted or we complete the administrative review or processing. The consular officer who interviews you will tell you at the end of your interview if your case is being refused under 221(g) and will explain what you need to submit and how upon completion of the interview.
If your case is approved, your adopted child’s visa and immigration packet will be ready for pick up at the Consulate in approximately two to four business days. The consular officer will explain the pick-up process upon completion of the interview.
Contact Information
U.S. Consulate General
8, Boulevard Moulay Youssef, Casablanca
Tel: +212 (0) 522-264-550
Fax: +212 (0) 522-204-127
Email: CasaAdoptions@state.gov
Embassy of Morocco in the United States of America
1601 21st Street, NW Washington, DC 20009
Tel: 202-462-7979
Fax: 202-265-0161
Internet: https://www.embassyofmorocco.us/
*Morocco also has a consulate located in New York City at the following address:
10 East 40th Street,
New York, NY 10016
(212) 758-2625
Internet: http://www.moroccanconsulate.com/
Office of Children’s Issues
CA/OCS/CI
SA-17, 9th Floor
Washington, D.C. 20522-1709
Tel: 1-888-407-4747
Email: AskCI@state.gov
Internet: adoption.state.gov
U.S. Citizenship and Immigration Services (USCIS)
For questions about filing a Form I-800A application or a Form I-800 petition:
USCIS National Benefits Center (NBC):
Tel: 1-877-424-8374 (toll free); 1-913-275-5480 (local); Fax: 1-913-214-5808
Email: NBC.Adoptions@uscis.dhs.gov
For general questions about immigration procedures:
USCIS Contact Center
Tel: 1-800-375-5283 (TTY 1-800-767-1833)
Internet: uscis.gov