Marriage Prep Checklist
- Call your parish
8 to 12 months before wedding - Initial parish meeting
8 months before wedding - Register for and attend a diocesan Marriage Preparation Class (see bottom of post to register)
3 to 10 months before wedding - Register for and attend an introductory Natural Family Planning Course (suggested but not required)
5 to 6 months before wedding - Final parish meeting
4 to 6 weeks before wedding - Sacrament of Reconciliation (suggested but not required)
1 to 2 weeks before wedding
Initial Contact with Priest or Deacon
Between 6 to 12 months prior to your proposed wedding date. Meet with your parish priest or deacon, even if they will not be the ones celebrating your wedding.
All paperwork will be done at your home parish, and then your file will be sent to your wedding parish, if applicable.
Assessment Process
An assessment is made at this time of your readiness for sacramental marriage, and necessary documents are gathered.
Pre-marital Inventory
This is usually the Foccus Inventory, and is done at the parish with follow-up sessions, or the Prepare and Enrich Program which can also be done at the parish level.
Baptismal Certificate
You need a copy less than six months old, obtainable from the parish where you were baptized. Send a stamped, self-addressed envelope to the parish where you were baptized with your full name, date of birth and parents’ names. (By “baptized” the Church means baptized in any Christian tradition that baptizes in the Trinitarian formula: in the name of the Father and the Son and the Holy Spirit, and with water).
Evidence of Death of previous spouse, or Annulment if you were previously married
- Annulment or Declaration of Nullity explained
- List of the possible grounds for a Declaration of Nullity
Freedom to Marry form
This form is provided by the parish. View a sample
Dispensations
In case of special circumstances, special forms will have to be filled out and permission required:
- In case a Catholic person is getting married to a baptized, non-Catholic person, you will need to fill out a Dispensation Form
- In case a Catholic person is getting married to a non-Catholic, non-baptized person (Jewish, Muslim, Atheist, Mormon, etc.) a Dispensation from Disparity of Cult Form is required
- In case a Catholic person is getting married outside a Catholic church (Synagogue, Temple, Christian Church, etc.) it will require a Dispensation from the Canonical Form of Marriage
If you are not sure what pertains to you, please check this link. Any of these forms will take time to get approved, so please make sure that you address the issues with your pastor during your first meeting.
Requirements in Brief
Church Requirements
- Baptismal Certificates dated within six months of the wedding date
- Initial interview with officiating clergy at least six months prior to the planned marriage date
- Completion of Pre-Marital Inventory
- Certificate of Attendance from a formal qualified Marriage Preparation Program
- Pre-Marital Affidavits (in some cases)
Civil Requirements
- Certified copies of Birth Certificates from the Bureau of Vital Statistics of the City and State of your birth
- Marriage License
Presuming you are deemed ready to go forward, you may begin the liturgical wedding plans. You will also be informed of the parish guidelines and of any costs or offerings involved.
In the event that the priest or the deacon believes that you are not ready to go forward, he will give you reasons for his recommendation that you delay your marriage. If you disagree with his decision, he may refer you to another priest or deacon; or you may appeal this decision. The priest or deacon will explain the appeals process at this time.
If the marriage is temporarily delayed, you may appeal to the Bishop through his representative, the Episcopal Vicar, in any given region.
Formal Marriage Preparation
- A Marriage Preparation Class approved by the USCCB
- For more options check your home diocese website
- A Natural Family Planning (NFP) Introduction class or Training, (suggested but not required for Bridgeport Diocese)
- Reception of the Sacrament of Reconciliation (suggested but not required for Bridgeport Diocese)