Marriage Tribunal

"The annulment process offers healing and a second chance at marriage in the Catholic Church."

The Catholic Church protects Jesus' teaching about the sacredness and permanence of marriage. But the Church also provides justice for anyone whose marriage has failed when it can be proven that the marriage lacked from the beginning some essential element for atrue sacramental bond.

An Annulment (properly known as a Declaration of Nullity) is a judgment by the Catholic Church that a certain marriage is invalid (not binding) because some essential element of marriage was not there when the couple exchanged marriage vows.

Does getting an annulment make my children illegitimate?

No. The children of a couple who obtains a Declaration of Nullity are still legitimate because the the Declaration of Nullity does not destroy the legal validity of the marriage. It simply declares that in the eyes of the Church, the marriage was not sacramental because the essential elements were not there and no true bond was ever established.

How long will an annulment take?

In the Diocese of Prince Albert, the process usually takes a year to a year and a half, but depends on the availability of witnesses, the cooperation of the parties, and the grounds for the case. A new marriage in the Catholic Church cannot take place until a Declaration of Nullity is granted.

Applicants are reminded that there is no guarantee that a Declaration of Nullity will be granted because the Tribunal cannot grant one if the marriage had all the essential elements of a Christian...

How much will an annulment cost?

The entire process costs the Church approximately $2,500. To help defray the expenses involved in processing a case, the applicant's fees are $800, payable in four instalments. Applicants are never turned away because of an inability to pay.

Do I have to be divorced before applying for an annulment?

No. You can apply for a Declaration of Nullity before your divorce has been granted if the Tribunal is assured there is no possibility of reconciliation between you and your spouse. The application can be accepted before the civil divorce is final, but no formal processing of a case takes place until a copy of the divorce certificate is obtained by the Tribunal.

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