8 Boulevard Moulay Youssef,
Casablanca, Morocco
Telephone: +(212) (522) 642-099
Emergency After-Hours Telephone: +(212)(661) 13-19-39
Fax: +(212) (522) 29-77-01
acscasablanca@state.gov
The normal work week in Morocco is Monday through Friday.
U.S. Embassy Rabat
KM 5.7, Avenue Mohammed VI
Souissi, Rabat
10170, Morocco
Telephone: +(212)(537) 63-72-00
Emergency After-Hours Telephone: +(212)(661)13-19-39
Fax: +(212)(537) 63-72-01
Please note that U.S. Embassy Rabat does not offer consular services and does not have entry facilities for public visitors.
Morocco and the United States have been treaty partners under the 1980 Hague Convention on the Civil Aspects of International Child Abduction (Hague Abduction Convention) since December 1, 2012.
For information concerning travel to Morocco, including information about the location of the U.S. Embassy, the Smart Traveler Enrollment Program, entry/exit requirements, safety and security, crime, medical facilities and health information, traffic safety, road conditions and aviation safety, please see country-specific information for Morocco.
The U.S. Department of State reports statistics and compliance information for individual countries in the Annual Report on International Child Abduction. The report is located here.
The U.S. Department of State serves as the U.S. Central Authority (USCA) for the Hague Abduction Convention. In this capacity, the Department’s Bureau of Consular Affairs, Directorate for Overseas Citizens Services, Office of Children’s Issues, facilitates the submission of applications under the Hague Abduction Convention for the return of, or access to, children located in countries that are U.S. treaty partners, including Morocco. Parents are strongly encouraged to contact the Department of State for assistance prior to initiating the Hague process directly with the foreign Central Authority.
Contact information:
United States Department of State
Bureau of Consular Affairs
Office of Children’s Issues
CA/OCS/CI
SA-17, 9th Floor
Washington, DC 20522-1709
Telephone: 1-888-407-4747
Outside the United States or Canada: 1-202-501-4444
Fax: 202-485-6221
Website: travel.state.gov
Email: MiddleEastIPCA@state.gov
The Moroccan Central Authority for the Hague Abduction Convention is the Ministry of Justice and Liberty. The Ministry of Justice and Liberty has an administrative role in processing Hague Abduction Convention applications. Upon submission of a Hague application, the Moroccan Central Authority will work with the Prosecutor’s Office to locate the child, attempt resolution through voluntary means if appropriate, and forward the case to the court of first instance. The Moroccan Central Authority can be reached at:
Ministère de la justice et des libertés
Direction des Affaires Civiles
Service de l'entraide judiciaire en matière civile
Place de la Mamounia
10 000 Rabat
Maroc
Tel: +212 (0)5 37 21 36 75; +212 (0)5 77 72 11 51
Fax : +212 (0)5 37 73 05 51
To initiate a Hague case for return of, or access to, a child in Morocco, the USCA encourages parents or legal guardians to review the eligibility criteria and instructions located on the State Department website. It is extremely important that each document written in English be translated into Arabic or French. The Moroccan Central Authority (MCA) will not take action on a case until they receive application documents in Arabic or French. The USCA is available to answer questions about the Hague application process, to forward a completed application to the Ministry of Justice and Liberty, and to subsequently monitor its progress through the foreign administrative and legal processes.
There are no fees for filing Hague applications with either the U.S. or Moroccan central authorities. Additional costs may include airplane tickets for court appearances and for the return of the child, if so ordered.
A parent or legal guardian may file an application under the Hague Abduction Convention for return to the United States of a child abducted to, or wrongfully retained in, Morocco. The U.S. Department of State can assist parents living in the United States to understand whether the Convention is an available civil remedy and can provide information on the process for submitting a Hague application.
Contact information:
Bureau of Consular Affairs
Office of Children's
CA/OCS/CI
SA-17, 9th Floor
Washington, DC 20522-1709
Telephone: 1-888-407-4747
Outside the United States or Canada: 1-202-501-4444
Fax: 202-485-6221
Website: travel.state.gov
Email: MiddleEastIPCA@state.gov
A person may file an application under the Hague Abduction Convention for access to a child living in Morocco. The criteria for acceptance of a Hague access application vary from country to country. The U.S. Department of State can assist parents living in the United States to understand country-specific criteria and provide information on the process for submitting a Hague application.
Retaining a private attorney is not required in order to submit a Hague Abduction Convention application to a court in Morocco. A public prosecutor presents Hague return cases to the court. Parents or legal guardians may hire a private attorney at their own expense to follow up on the case and to provide direct information to the court, and to generally advise as to the best course of action for their individual circumstances. A privately hired attorney should contact the MCA as soon as possible after the Hague Abduction Convention application has been filed with the MCA.
The U.S. Mission in Morocco posts a list of attorneys including those who specialize in family law.
This list is provided as a courtesy service only and does not constitute an endorsement of any individual attorney. The Department of State assumes no responsibility or liability for the professional ability or reputation of, or the quality of services provided by, the persons or firms included in this list. Professional credentials and areas of expertise are provided directly by the lawyers.
The MCA encourages mediation in abduction cases; however, there are no governmental offices in place that offer these services in custody disputes.
Exercising Custody Rights
While travelling in a foreign country, you are subject to the laws of that country. It is important for parents to understand that, although a left-behind parent in the United States may have custody or visitation rights pursuant to a U.S. custody order, that order may not be valid and enforceable in the country in which the child is located. For this reason, we strongly encourage you to speak to a local attorney if planning to remove a child from a foreign country without the consent of the other parent. Attempts to remove your child to the United States may:
- Endanger your child and others;
- Prejudice any future judicial efforts; and
- Could result in your arrest and imprisonment.
The U.S. government cannot interfere with another country’s court or law enforcement system.
To understand the legal effect of a U.S. order in a foreign country, a parent should consult with a local attorney in the country in which the child is located.
For information about hiring an attorney abroad, see our section on Retaining a Foreign Attorney.
Although we cannot recommend an attorney to you, most U.S. Embassies have lists of attorneys available online. Please visit the local U.S. Embassy or Consulate website for a full listing.
For more information on consular assistance for U.S. citizens arrested abroad, please see our website.
Country officers are available to speak with you Monday - Friday, 8:00 a.m. - 5:00 p.m. For assistance with an abduction in progress or any emergency situation that occurs after normal business hours, on weekends, or federal holidays, please call toll free at 1-888-407-4747. See all contact information.
DISCLAIMER: The information in this flyer is provided for general information only, is not intended to be legal advice, and may change without notice. Questions involving interpretation of law should be addressed to an attorney licensed in the relevant jurisdiction.
