Sarah Mitchell
The Catholic Church has specific requirements for marriage, which have evolved over time. While the Church now requires a ceremony, liturgy of the word, witnesses, and marriage preparation, historically, no specific ritual was prescribed – couples could exchange consent anywhere, at any time. Today, the Church requires that neither party has been married before, and that the marriage is intended to be permanent, exclusive, and faithful. The couple must also present their baptismal certificates and participate in marriage preparation, which includes meetings with a priest or deacon and a sponsor couple.
| Characteristics | Values |
|---|---|
| Nature of marriage | Sacred and deeply spiritual commitment |
| Marriage preparation | Pre-Cana, a marriage preparation course |
| Marriage as a sacrament | First declared at the 1184 Synod of Verona |
| Marriage to a non-Catholic | Requires "dispensation from disparity of cult" |
| Marriage to a non-Christian | Not considered sacramental |
| Marriage location | Catholic church building |
| Witnesses | Minimum of two |
| Officiant | Priest or deacon |
| Marriage preparation duration | Six months to a year |
| Documents | Baptismal certificates, confirmation certificates |
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What You'll Learn
Marriage preparation
Marriage in the Catholic Church is considered a sacred and deeply spiritual commitment. The Church sees it as a sacraments , and as such, there are specific guidelines to ensure it is carried out properly. The process encourages couples to build a solid foundation for their marriage, rooted in faith and open communication.
Specific programs address particular circumstances, such as remarriage, children from previous relationships, and marriage to a non-Catholic. As part of their preparation, couples may complete a premarital inventory, such as FOCCUS, to identify issues for further discussion. Typical topics covered in marriage preparation programs include:
- The meaning of marriage as a sacrament
- Faith, prayer, and the church
- Roles in marriage
- Communication and conflict resolution
- Children, parenthood, and Natural Family Planning
- Finances
- Family of origin
The Church requires couples to undergo a marriage preparation course, commonly known as Pre-Cana. This program helps couples understand the sacramental nature of marriage and provides them with tools for a healthy, lifelong union. Topics covered in Pre-Cana include communication, finances, sexuality, parenting, and spirituality. The format and duration can vary, offering weekend retreats, online courses, or several sessions over a few months.
In addition to marriage preparation programs, there are also specific requirements that must be met for a valid Catholic marriage. These include:
- The spouses must be free to marry and must provide proof of this, including any necessary forms and witness testimonies.
- The couple must freely exchange their consent, intending to marry for life, to be faithful to one another, and be open to having children.
- Their consent must be given in the canonical form, in the presence of a priest or deacon and at least two witnesses.
- The marriage ceremony usually takes place in a Catholic church building to underscore the sacramentality of the event, although a bishop can grant permission for it to be held elsewhere.
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Marriage as a sacrament
Marriage in the Catholic Church, or holy matrimony, is considered a sacrament. A sacrament is a "sign or symbol which reveals the Lord Jesus and through which his divine life and love are communicated". The Catholic Church teaches that a marriage between two baptised persons is a sacrament because it expresses the unbreakable bond of love between Christ and his people.
The first official declaration that marriage is a sacrament was made at the 1184 Synod of Verona, as part of a condemnation of the Cathars, who believed that marriage and procreation were evil. In 1208, Pope Innocent III required members of the Waldensians to recognise that marriage is a sacrament as a condition for being received back into the Catholic Church.
The Catholic Church recognises as sacramental the marriages between two baptised non-Catholic Christians, as well as marriages between baptised non-Catholic Christians and Catholic Christians. In the latter case, consent from the diocesan bishop must be obtained, with this termed "dispensation to enter into a mixed marriage". Although the Catholic Church recognises marriages between two non-Christians or those between a Catholic Christian and a non-Christian, these are not considered to be sacramental, and the Catholic Christian must seek permission from their bishop for the marriage to occur.
Marriage preparation programs are available to help couples develop a better understanding of Christian marriage, evaluate and deepen their readiness to live married life, and gain insights into themselves as individuals and as a couple. These programs can also address particular circumstances, such as remarriage, children from a previous marriage, and marriage to a non-Catholic.
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Civil requirements
Civil marriage requirements vary depending on location. In the United States, each state has its own requirements for a marriage license. Some general requirements include:
Age
Adults aged 18 and over can marry without any restrictions. Minors under that age need parental consent to marry. Emancipated minors can marry with judicial permission. Some states do not allow marriages if the parties have more than a three-year age difference to prevent predatory marriages or sex trafficking.
Marital Status
Both parties must be single, divorced, or widowed before they can marry or remarry. Bigamy, where one party is still married and attempts to marry another person, is illegal.
Mental Capacity
Both parties must have the mental capacity to enter into a contract. If either party does not understand that they are entering a marriage, the marriage is not valid.
Identification
Both parties must present documentary proof of age and identity, such as a driver's license, passport, or green card if not a U.S. citizen.
Blood Tests
Most states no longer require premarital exams or blood tests. However, some states still mandate blood tests for sexually transmitted diseases, rubella, sickle cell anemia, or tuberculosis.
Fees and Licenses
There may be a fee for a marriage license, which varies by state and county. A valid marriage license must be purchased before the marriage ceremony. The officiant must then file the marriage certificate with the relevant office, and a certified copy will be sent to the couple.
Witnesses
Some states require witnesses to be present at the ceremony and to sign the marriage license. Witnesses must be old enough to understand they are witnessing a marriage and must be able to sign their names.
Name Change
Neither party to the marriage is required to change their last name. One or both parties may elect to change their surname by entering the new name on the marriage license.
For marriages outside of the United States, the requirements differ from country to country. It is important to research the specific requirements of the country where the marriage will take place. Local laws decide who can perform marriages, and it is often local civil or religious officials. Marriages performed abroad are valid in that country if they follow local laws.
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Church requirements
The Catholic Church has strict requirements for couples to be considered validly married in the eyes of the Church. Firstly, the couple must be two willing participants who are free to marry and must freely exchange their consent. They must intend to marry for life, to be faithful to one another and be open to having children. Their consent must be given in the presence of a priest or deacon, two witnesses, and before a properly authorized church.
The Church requires couples to undergo a marriage preparation course, commonly known as Pre-Cana, to help them understand the sacramental nature of marriage and equip them with tools for a healthy, lifelong union. Topics covered include communication, finances, sexuality, parenting, and spirituality. The format and duration of Pre-Cana vary, offering weekend retreats, online courses, or several sessions over a few months.
The Catholic Church typically requires marriages to take place in a Catholic church building to underscore the sacramentality of the event. However, a bishop can make exceptions with a dispensation. When a Catholic marries a baptized non-Catholic, the Church requires a "permission for mixed marriage". If the partner is not baptized, the priest must secure a "dispensation from disparity of cult".
In addition to the marriage preparation course, certain documents are necessary for a Catholic marriage. These include recently issued baptismal certificates (within the last six months) and confirmation certificates. The couple must also comply with their local civil requirements for marriage, such as a civil marriage license.
The Catholic Church recognizes marriages between two non-Christians or a Catholic Christian and a non-Christian, but these are not considered sacramental. In the latter case, the Catholic Christian must seek permission from their bishop for the marriage, known as "dispensation from disparity of cult". Weddings with both spouses as Catholic faithful are usually held in a Catholic church, while weddings with one Catholic spouse can be held in a Catholic or non-Catholic church with the bishop's permission.
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Annulments
The declaration of nullity is a statement from the Church that a marriage thought to be valid, actually fell short of at least one of the essential elements required for a binding union. The Church does not deny that a relationship existed between the couple or that they loved each other. Instead, it is a recognition that the marriage was not a sacrament, and that something was missing at the moment of consent.
The annulment procedure involves a tribunal, or church court, which examines the marriage in question to determine if it was a sacred union. The petitioner (the person asking for the annulment) submits written testimony about the marriage and a list of people familiar with the marriage. If the other spouse (the respondent) did not co-sign the petition, the tribunal will contact them, as they have a right to be involved. Both parties can read the testimony submitted, and each may appoint a Church advocate to represent them before the tribunal. The Church also appoints a defender of the bond, who will argue for the validity of the marriage. Witnesses to the marriage may also be required.
If the tribunal decides in favour of the nullity of the marriage, the parties are then free to marry in the Catholic Church, unless an appeal is lodged or the decision includes a prohibition. However, parental obligations remain after a marriage is annulled.
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Frequently asked questions
The requirements for a Catholic marriage include:
- A ceremony of some sort, which may or may not be a Mass.
- Two witnesses.
- A priest or deacon.
- A wedding license.
- A bride and groom who have never been married before, or whose marriages have been annulled by the Church.
- A recent baptismal certificate issued by the church of baptism within six months prior to the marriage.
- The bride and groom should intend their marriage to be permanent, exclusive, and faithful.
The priest or deacon will discuss your readiness for marriage and help you decide if you are ready for a Catholic marriage. They will also be involved in the initial paperwork, assigning a Sponsor Couple, and picking a possible wedding date.
The Sponsor Couple will meet with the engaged couple for discussion and input about married life at the Church. They will also use the pre-marital inventory to help prepare the couple for marriage.
The process of preparing for a Catholic marriage can vary in length. It is recommended that couples contact the Pastor at least six months before the desired wedding date, and this period may be used for marriage preparation. In some cases, a priest may be able to fast-track the marriage preparation process if necessary.
