Marriage & Family
Convalidation: Bringing Your Marriage into the Church
Were you married outside the Catholic Church? Start here to learn what convalidation is and how to take the next step.
Why Marry Within the Church?
Baptized Catholics are obligated by canon law to marry within the jurisdiction of the Catholic Church. This means that the wedding is celebrated by a Catholic priest or deacon using the Catholic Rite of Marriage.
A Catholic may also apply for a dispensation from the local bishop to marry elsewhere—for example, by Protestant clergy in a Protestant church when one of the parties to the marriage is not Catholic.
The reason for this requirement is to assure that couples preparing for marriage receive instruction through the Catholic parish and understand the Church’s teachings on Holy Matrimony. In other words, Catholics do what Catholics are supposed to do.
Until their marriage is convalidated, the Catholic party is not permitted to receive the sacraments regularly and may not serve as a godparent for Baptism or a sponsor for Confirmation.
What Is Convalidation?
Convalidation is the process whereby an invalid marriage is regularized by the Church and is available as long as there was no previous marriage by either party unless the previous marriage(s) ended by death or was granted a Decree of Nullity by a diocesan Tribunal.
Convalidation is not merely a blessing of a current union; it is a completely new covenant brought about by the exchange of consent and the establishment of the freedom to marry.
Next Steps
Couples wishing to convalidate their marriage are asked to contact Father West by email.
Prefer a conversation first? Call the parish office and ask for an appointment with Father West.