It can be confusing trying to figure out which type of case is needed for any given circumstance. Therefore, we have designed the following guide to help you determine which type of case you need to pursue. Simply answer the questions by clicking on either ‘yes’ or ‘no’. Do not scroll down the screen, each question will lead you to another question until it is determined which type of case you need.
At the time of your previous marriage, had you been baptized Catholic?
Concerning your previous marriage, were you married in the Catholic Church?
Prior to the wedding, or at any time prior to the divorce did your divorced spouse become baptized, either Catholic or Protestant?
(If your divorced spouse was baptized LDS (Mormon), Jehovah’s Witness, Quaker, Salvation Army, Unitarian, or Christian Scientist, then please answer “No” above. This is because the Catholic Church does not recognize these denominations as having a valid baptism. For a complete list of denominations which do not have valid baptism, or if you are uncertain about the baptism of a denomination not listed above, please contact the tribunal office.)
At the time of your previous marriage, had you been baptized Protestant?
(If you have been baptized LDS (Mormon), Jehovah’s Witness, Quaker, Salvation Army, Unitarian, or Christian Scientist, then please answer “No” above. This is because the Catholic Church does not recognize these denominations as having a valid baptism. For a complete list of denominations which do not have valid baptism, or if you are uncertain about the baptism of a denomination not listed above, please contact the tribunal office.)
Prior to the wedding, did either of you seek and obtain permission from the Church to get married outside of the Church?
At any time, did you have your marriage validated in the Catholic Church, i.e., a convalidation, blessing, renewal of vows, etc?
Was your divorced spouse a baptized Catholic at the time of the wedding?
Concerning your previous marriage, were you married in the Catholic Church?
Were you the exclusive or predominate cause of the breakdown of your previous marriage?
Do you have plans to marry a Catholic or baptized Protestant?
(If the person you plan to marry has only been baptized LDS (Mormon), Jehovah’s Witness, Quaker, Salvation Army, Unitarian, or Christian Scientist, then please answer “No” above. This is because the Catholic Church does not recognize these denominations as having a valid baptism. For a complete list of denominations which do not have valid baptism, or if you are uncertain about the baptism of a denomination not listed above, please contact the tribunal office.)
Was your divorced spouse baptized Catholic at the time of the wedding?
Concerning your previous marriage, were you married in the Catholic Church?
Since the divorce, have you become baptized, or do you now wish to become baptized?
(If you have only been baptized LDS (Mormon), Jehovah’s Witness, Quaker, Salvation Army, Unitarian, or Christian Scientist, then please answer “No” above. This is because the Catholic Church does not recognize these denominations as having a valid baptism. For a complete list of denominations which do not have valid baptism, or if you are uncertain about the baptism of a denomination not listed above, please contact the tribunal office.)
Were you the exclusive or predominant cause of the breakdown of your previous marriage?
At the time of the wedding, was your divorced spouse baptized Protestant?
(If your divorced spouse was baptized LDS (Mormon), Jehovah’s Witness, Quaker, Salvation Army, Unitarian, or Christian Scientist, then please answer “No” above. This is because the Catholic Church does not recognize these denominations as having a valid baptism. For a complete list of denominations which do not have valid baptism, or if you are uncertain about the baptism of a denomination not listed above, please contact the tribunal office.)
Has your divorced spouse become baptized or does he/she wish to become baptized?
At any time after the wedding, have you become baptized, or do you now wish to become baptized?
(If you have only been baptized LDS (Mormon), Jehovah’s Witness, Quaker, Salvation Army, Unitarian, or Christian Scientist, then please answer “No” above. This is because the Catholic Church does not recognize these denominations as having a valid baptism. For a complete list of denominations which do not have valid baptism, or if you are uncertain about the baptism of a denomination not listed above, please contact the tribunal office.)
Was your divorced spouse baptized Protestant?
(If your divorced spouse was baptized LDS (Mormon), Jehovah’s Witness, Quaker, Salvation Army, Unitarian, or Christian Scientist, then please answer “No” above. This is because the Catholic Church does not recognize these denominations as having a valid baptism. For a complete list of denominations which do not have valid baptism, or if you are uncertain about the baptism of a denomination not listed above, please contact the tribunal office.)
Were you the exclusive or predominant cause of the breakup of your previous marriage?
Do you have plans to enter into a new marriage with a Catholic?
Prior to the wedding, did either of you seek and obtain permission from the Church to get married outside of the Church?
At any time, did you have your marriage validated in the Catholic Church, i.e., a convalidation, blessing, renewal of vows, etc?
Prior to the wedding, did either of you seek and obtain permission from the Church to get married outside of the Church?
At any time, did you have your marriage validated in the Catholic Church, i.e., a convalidation, blessing, renewal of vows, etc?
Do you wish to become baptized?
Were you the exclusive or predominant cause of the breakup of your previous marriage?
Do you have plans to enter into a new marriage?
Was your divorced spouse married prior to marrying you?
Was your divorced spouse’s first marriage ever declared invalid by the Catholic Church?
Was your divorced spouse’s first spouse alive when you married your divorced spouse?
You need to pursue the Ordinary Process.
Click on the link below to get information and the form for the Ordinary Process:
Link: Ordinary Process
You need to pursue the Lack of Form Process.
Click on the link below to get information and the form for the Lack of Form Process:
Link: Lack of Form
You can pursue the Ligamen Process.
Click on the link below to get information and the form for the Ligamen Process:
Link: Ligamen
You can pursue the Favor of the Faith Privilege, however if there are possible grounds for nullity of the marriage, you may want to discuss moving forward with the formal process with your advocate.
Click on the link below to get information and the form for the Favor of the Faith Privilege:
Link: Favor of the Faith Privilege
You can pursue the Pauline Privilege.
Click on the link below to get information and the form for the Pauline Privilege:
Link: Pauline Privilege
