Guidance only, updated November 2026. Always check the requirements with the receiving authority.
Anyone who has to present a Moroccan document in Italy – a birth certificate, a marriage contract, a judgment – is usually asked for two things: a sworn translation and an Apostille. Here is how they work and in which order to proceed.
What is the Apostille?
The Apostille is a certificate provided for by the Hague Convention of 5 October 1961. It certifies the authenticity of the signature and the capacity of the public official who signed a public document. Between countries that are parties to the Convention, it replaces consular legalisation.
Morocco and Italy
Both Italy and Morocco are parties to the Convention; for Morocco it has been in force since 14 August 2016. This is why, for many Moroccan public documents intended for Italy, an Apostille is now required instead of legalisation at the Consulate.
In which order to proceed
- Request an up-to-date document from the competent office in Morocco (civil status, court, administration).
- Have the Apostille affixed to the original. In Morocco the request form can be filled in on the apostille.ma portal: for judicial documents and sworn translations the competent authority is the King’s Prosecutor at the court of first instance; for administrative documents, the local authorities of prefectures and provinces. For notarial deeds the official sources do not agree: we will point you to the right office for your document.
- Have the document translated together with the Apostille, so that the Italian authority receives everything in Italian.
- Have the translation apostilled too: according to the Italian Embassy in Rabat, translations by sworn translators must also be apostilled. Some authorities may have their own requirements: we check them with you before starting.
Mistakes to avoid
- Translating a document before obtaining the Apostille: the translation may have to be redone.
- Using a certificate that has expired or does not match what the authority asked for.
- Spelling names differently from the passport: always state the correct spelling.
Sources
- Italian Embassy in Rabat – Translation and legalisation of documents
- HCCH – Competent authorities for the Apostille in Morocco
- ATAJ – Association of sworn translators at the Moroccan courts
- HCCH – Apostille Convention status table
Do you have a document to prepare?
Send a legible scan and tell us the receiving authority: we will tell you which formalities are needed, the timing and the cost of the sworn translation.