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Learn how a convalidation ceremony can bring your civil or non-Catholic marriage into the Church
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For many Catholics, marriage is a religious commitment as well as a personal one. But what if you get married outside the Church? If you’re asking yourself this question, a convalidation ceremony could be exactly what you’re looking for. Convalidation offers a way to fulfill your or your spouse’s obligations as a Catholic. This article explains how convalidation works, why it could be beneficial, and how to arrange a convalidation ceremony with a local church. Keep reading to learn how to bring your civil or non-Catholic marriage into the Church.
Things You Should Know
- Convalidation is a Catholic ceremony in which a legally-married couple has their marriage formally recognized by the Catholic Church.
- Convalidation allows Catholics and non-Catholics to marry within the Church. It can also affirm the importance of Christ and God in the couple’s relationship.
- Contact your local church to arrange a convalidation ceremony. You may need to submit paperwork and complete martial preparation requirements.
Steps
Section 3 of 3:
Planning Your Convalidation Ceremony: Step-by-Step Guide
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Contact a local Catholic Church and meet with a pastor. Explain that you and your spouse are legally married and wish to have a convalidation ceremony. Ask to meet with a pastor (a priest, bishop, or deacon) to discuss paperwork and other requirements for arranging the ceremony. [6] X Research source
- Contact your church 4-6 months before your desired ceremony date.
- If you want to have the ceremony at a specific church, such as in a different city or state, contact that church directly.
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Obtain a copy of the Catholic spouse’s baptismal certificate. Contact the church or parish where the spouse was baptized to request a copy. If both spouses are Catholic, obtain both baptismal certificates. [7] X Research source
- If you’re unable to obtain a baptismal record, contact the church where you want to have the convalidation ceremony to explain the situation. They may be able to help you obtain the record, or grant you an exception.
- If one spouse is not a baptized Catholic, that spouse can choose to get baptized before the convalidation ceremony. But this is not required—and either way, you’ll still need to complete the convalidation ceremony before your marriage is recognized by the Church.
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Submit Pre-Nuptial Investigation paperwork to your church. Your church will provide you with this paperwork to fill out. You’ll usually be asked to provide your names, addresses, the dates you were baptized (if applicable), and other general information. You may also be asked questions about your faiths, reasons for getting married, and other personal matters. [8] X Research source
- In most cases, you won’t be able to set a date for your ceremony until the Pre-Nuptial Investigation paperwork is submitted.
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Complete marriage preparation requirements with your local church. Depending on your specific church, you may be required to attend workshops, courses, or premarital counseling sessions with a priest. These programs are educational and will help you understand the commitments required in a Catholic marriage. [9] X Research source
- You may be required to attend weekly classes and purchase course materials like a textbook, depending on the church.
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Obtain a declaration of nullity for any previous marriage. If one or both of you are divorced, you’ll need to have the former marriage nullified by the Catholic Church before your convalidation ceremony. Contact your church to request a nullification. You may be required to submit paperwork explaining why your previous marriage ended. [10] X Research source
- Some churches only grant a nullification if the marriage failed for a specific reason, such as infidelity, drug abuse, or domestic violence.
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Choose a date and time for your convalidation ceremony. If both spouses are Catholic, your church may conduct the ceremony during a Catholic Mass. If one spouse isn’t Catholic, the ceremony might take place after Mass or during unrelated activities. [11] X Research source
- Choose two witnesses to observe the ceremony—one for each party. This is required by Catholic law.
- You can invite additional guests to your ceremony, but your church may not allow other traditional wedding elements such as a bridal party, groomsmen, and so on.
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Attend the ceremony dressed for a Catholic wedding. The bride should wear a traditional white wedding gown with sleeves, or with a shawl to cover bare shoulders. The groom should wear a tuxedo or suit. Guests should dress modestly: avoid exposed shoulders, shorts, or short skirts. [12] X Research source
- The Catholic Church does not recognize gender nonconformity, especially when it comes to dress code.
- Talk to your church to request an exception if you, your spouse, or any of your guests would prefer to dress differently than the dress for the sex you were assigned at birth.
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Celebrate afterward just as you would for a wedding. Throw a reception with food, dancing, and wedding cake, if you like. Plan a honeymoon to a dream destination. Treat your convalidation like a special occasion, because it is. [13] X Research source
- You can skip the celebration if you prefer—or if you already had a wedding reception after your civil ceremony.
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References
- ↑ https://www.stdominicchurch.org/uploads/7/7/0/5/77053825/convalidation.pdf
- ↑ https://www.stdominicchurch.org/uploads/7/7/0/5/77053825/convalidation.pdf
- ↑ https://www.stdominicchurch.org/uploads/7/7/0/5/77053825/convalidation.pdf
- ↑ https://www.stdominicchurch.org/uploads/7/7/0/5/77053825/convalidation.pdf
- ↑ https://www.stdominicchurch.org/uploads/7/7/0/5/77053825/convalidation.pdf
- ↑ https://archkck.org/wp-content/uploads/2020/09/MarriagePrepHandbook2013.pdf
- ↑ https://archkck.org/wp-content/uploads/2020/09/MarriagePrepHandbook2013.pdf
- ↑ https://dioceseofbrooklyn.org/wp-content/uploads/2020/04/Prenuptial-Investigation-ENGLISH.pdf
- ↑ https://archkck.org/wp-content/uploads/2020/09/MarriagePrepHandbook2013.pdf
- ↑ https://www.archmil.org/ArchMil/Resources/Declaring-a-marriage-invalid.pdf
- ↑ https://sorrowspetawawa.com/documents/Seven%20Steps%20to%20Convalidation.pdf
- ↑ https://stpeterlindsay.org/documents/2015/12/Wedding%20Packet.pdf
- ↑ https://sorrowspetawawa.com/documents/Seven%20Steps%20to%20Convalidation.pdf
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