Papers · Guide

Criminal record, apostille, life certificate, driving licence

Four documents that come up again and again, and the fastest way to each.

Checked: October 2026

Key facts

Criminal record extract: request it online at casierjudiciaire.justice.gov.ma. Born in Morocco, you collect it at the court of your place of birth. Born abroad, it comes from the national centre in Rabat. A consulate can also take the request with a copy of your CNIE and a 10 dirham stamp.
Apostille: since August 2016 a Moroccan public document only needs an apostille to be used in most countries, with no chain of legalisations. The list of countries is on apostille.ma.
Life certificate: issued at the consulate on presentation of your registration, family booklet and ID. It is free for pensioners.
Driving licence: once you settle back in Morocco you may drive on your foreign licence for one year. After that you exchange it, where an agreement exists, or pass the Moroccan test.

Watch out

A power of attorney legalised at the consulate lets a relative collect your criminal record in Morocco.
Driving in your country of residence on a Moroccan licence is only allowed for short stays. Long-term residents must convert it under local rules.

Official sources

casierjudiciaire.justice.gov.ma apostille.ma consulat.ma

Checked: October 2026. Independent guide, not a government site. Rules change: confirm on the official page before you act.

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Since January 2024 you can book passport, CNIE, legalisation and certificate services at any Moroccan consulate, not only the one for your area. Civil status records stay with the consulate of your district. Find your consulate

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Official online servicesFifty government websites and phone lines: what each one does, what you need to sign in, and whether it works from abroad.

More guides in this section

Renew or get a biometric passportApply in person at a consulate after an online pre-application. Adults get five years.National ID card (CNIE)Compulsory from age 16, valid ten years, requested in person at the consulate or in Morocco.Consular registration and appointmentsRegistration opens the door to every other service. It is done once, in person.Register a birth abroadHave the local birth certificate transcribed at the consulate so your child exists in Moroccan records.When a loved one dies abroadThe consulate issues the authorisation to bring the body home. Insurance usually pays; the State helps families who cannot.Power of attorneyFor property, only a deed drawn up by a notary, an adoul or an authorised lawyer is accepted.