International adoption country guide
Morocco: adoption records and family tracing
Practical guidance for adoptees based in the UK who were adopted in Morocco, were born there and adopted in the UK, or have a birth parent from there.
Research last refreshed: September 2026
Ask the Adoptee Rights Assistant
Start by identifying the records and rules that apply
Court, prosecutor, city, civil status office, institution and year determine the record map. Preserve Arabic and French spellings. A later birth certificate or receiving country adoption record may not reproduce the earlier Moroccan material.
If the person came to the UK, obtain the UK adoption or receiving agency file, court papers, immigration and nationality papers in parallel. The UK file may show whether a later UK adoption order was made, while Moroccan court, civil status and institution records remain separate.
Check the current procedure before applyingThis guide explains the likely process, but forms, contact details, eligibility and access rules can change. Check the linked source before sending identity documents or paying a fee.
Choose the situation that describes you
Adopted in Morocco
What applies: Confirm that the legal adoption, guardianship or kafala was made in Morocco, and identify the date, place, court or authority and institution.
How to look for records: First establish whether the Moroccan process was kafala guardianship rather than adoption. Identify the Family Court, prosecutor, abandonment decision, kafala order, civil status office and institution. Request those holdings separately, and also identify any later adoption order made in the receiving country.
How to look for family: No verified nationwide specialist origins service for adults subject to Moroccan kafala was found. Use the Ministry of Justice and the competent Family Court to locate the judicial file, then use reliable names and places for supported, consent sensitive family searching. Kafala does not itself create a full adoption under Moroccan law.
Important: Confirm whether the original order was kafala and whether a later receiving country adoption exists.
Born in Morocco and brought to the UK
What applies: Establish whether the legal adoption was made overseas, in the UK, or in both places; keep the two countries' records processs open until that is known.
How to look for records: If the person came to the UK, obtain the UK adoption or receiving agency file, court papers, immigration and nationality papers in parallel. The UK file may show whether a later UK adoption order was made, while Moroccan court, civil status and institution records remain separate. First establish whether the Moroccan process was kafala guardianship rather than adoption. Identify the Family Court, prosecutor, abandonment decision, kafala order, civil status office and institution. Request those holdings separately, and also identify any later adoption order made in the receiving country.
How to look for family: No verified nationwide specialist origins service for adults subject to Moroccan kafala was found. Use the Ministry of Justice and the competent Family Court to locate the judicial file, then use reliable names and places for supported, consent sensitive family searching. Kafala does not itself create a full adoption under Moroccan law.
Important: A UK adoption or registration record does not automatically disclose or replace the overseas birth, court, welfare or institution file. Confirm whether the original order was kafala and whether a later receiving country adoption exists.
A birth parent was from Morocco
What applies: Start with the records of the country where the person was born and adopted. A parent being from Morocco does not by itself mean that Morocco holds the adoption file.
How to look for records: Obtain the adoptee's own birth and adoption records first. If they confirm the parent's identity or a locality in Morocco, use the relevant civil registration, archive and family history sources there.
How to look for family: Use verified names, Arabic and French spelling variants, dates and locality with court, civil status, institution and archival sources. Approach living relatives carefully and with consent sensitive support. DNA may provide a parallel family finding lead, but first check current Moroccan law, provider availability and rules affecting collection or export of samples. Database representation may be limited. A match is a lead, not proof; corroborate it with shared matches and records and obtain consent before testing another person.
Important: Do not assume nationality proves birth, citizenship or registration in Morocco. Confirm full names, spelling variants, dates and an actual locality before making overseas enquiries.
Records and family finding
Start with records
First establish whether the Moroccan process was kafala guardianship rather than adoption. Identify the Family Court, prosecutor, abandonment decision, kafala order, civil status office and institution. Request those holdings separately, and also identify any later adoption order made in the receiving country.
Looking for family
No verified nationwide specialist origins service for adults subject to Moroccan kafala was found. Use the Ministry of Justice and the competent Family Court to locate the judicial file, then use reliable names and places for supported, consent sensitive family searching. Kafala does not itself create a full adoption under Moroccan law.
DNA
DNA may provide a parallel family finding lead, but first check current Moroccan law, provider availability and rules affecting collection or export of samples. Database representation may be limited. A match is a lead, not proof; corroborate it with shared matches and records and obtain consent before testing another person.
Peer support
ICAV currently lists no Morocco specific birth country group. Its broader African adoptee listing may offer peer support; check language, eligibility, privacy and current activity before referral.
Practical next steps
If you have no namesUse the kafala, travel and receiving country papers to identify the Moroccan Family Court, prosecutor, institution and civil status office. Ask the Ministry of Justice or court registry to confirm current adult access and representation requirements.
If you have a name or placeUse verified names, Arabic and French spelling variants, dates and locality with court, civil status, institution and archival sources. Approach living relatives carefully and with consent sensitive support.
If the search has stalledAsk every identified holder whether the record survives, was transferred or is restricted, and request the applicable review or court process in writing. Then consider archives, community sources and carefully corroborated DNA.
Verified sources and resources
Official services and independent or adoptee-led resources are shown separately. Check current eligibility, security, costs and capacity before supplying personal information.
Other verified resources
Current justice and court information
Things to check: Adult kafala file access procedure requires a live check
Kafala, court, abandonment and civil document map
Things to check: US guidance is not a Moroccan adult access entitlement
Civil status and kafala document descriptions
Things to check: Confirm current Moroccan application mechanics
Online civil status document requests where eligible
Things to check: A civil status document is not the whole kafala or court file
Check Morocco specific or broader African peer support
Things to check: No Morocco specific group currently listed
General search, contact and DNA safeguards
Things to check: Not a Moroccan government service
This country guide provides general information, not legal advice or a tracing service. Records and family finding across borders can involve privacy, consent and personal safety considerations. Verify the current official procedure before acting.
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