Decree of Nullity
An annulment is a Declaration given by a Church tribunal (a Catholic church court) when a marriage, thought to be valid according to Church law, fell short of at least one of the essential elements required for a binding union.
The process to obtain an Annulment (officially called Declaration of Nullity) is frequently misunderstood. For frequently asked questions, click here.
A convalidation is usually necessary when at least one party is Catholic, and the marriage did not observe the canonical form (being married before a priest or deacon and two witnesses). The Church considers such a marriage invalid due to the impediment of lack of form, even if the couple had a valid civil wedding.
In the Catholic Church, convalidation (or marriage validation) is the process where a previously invalid civil marriage is recognized and becomes sacramental through a new exchange of vows before Catholic clergy. This occurs when a Catholic married outside the Church, for example by a justice of the peace, brings their union into compliance with Church law, enabling them to receive the sacrament of matrimony and fully participate in Church life, including Holy Communion.
The process requires a new act of consent, removal of the prior impediment, and typically involves a Marriage Preparation Program.
What it is:
- A new act of consent - A convalidation is a fresh exchange of vows, constituting a new beginning of the marriage in the eyes of the Church, rather than merely a blessing.
- Sacramental Marriage - In a sacramental marriage, God's love becomes present to the spouses in their total union and flows through them to their family and community. It transforms a natural marriage into a sacramental one
- Full participation - A convalidation allows a couple to return to the full sacramental life of the Church, including receiving Holy Communion.
The Convalidation Process requires the following:
- Recent copies of baptismal certificates for any Catholic parties dated within six months of convalidation.
- Copy of your civil marriage certificate.
- Completion of the standard forms for the pre-nuptial investigation. The priest will review these with the couple.
- Participation in the Marriage Preparation Program to prepare for sacramental marriage.
After meeting with a priest and completing the above requirements, the couple then exchanges new vows before Catholic clergy and two witnesses, forming their sacramental marriage.
If you would like to explore the possibility of receiving a Declaration of Nullity for a previous marriage, please call the Administrative Assistant to the Pastor to make an appointment.