Annulment Process
An annulment is a declaration by the Tribunal that a marriage, from the beginning, lacked some essential element. A Church annulment has no civil or legal ramifications.
The Tribunal of the Eparchy of Passaic serves those persons whose marriages have ended in divorce. By studying the history of their relationship the Tribunal determines if there was a valid bond according to the laws of the Catholic Church.
Those who would like to marry in the Catholic Church or desire to convalidated their current civil marriages to Catholics are encouraged to petition for such a study, which may result in their previous marriage being declared null.
GUIDELINES FOR STARTING A MARRIAGE NULLITY CASE (ANNULMENT PROCESS)
Contact your parish or the parish you regularly attend. A parish priest will assist you during the initial phase of the examination of the marriage in question.
The forms to be filled out to begin the Annulment process are available here but they are password protected. Please refer to your parish priest who can download them for you and assist you in filling out those forms and submitting them to the Tribunal.
REQUIRED DOCUMENTS
Before you reach to your priest please make sure to have the following documents which will accompany your petition.
- If you are baptized, a recent copy of your baptismal certificate (issued within the last 6 months)
- Marriage and divorce certificates