Getting Married?
Marriage. Who must we notify, and how long in advance? Whether you are planning to get married in your local parish, or in another part of the country, or abroad, you must get in touch with the Parish Priest of the Parish in which you live at least six months before the proposed date of your wedding. If you are unsure, contact the Parish Priest of the Church where you attend Mass regularly. This period of notice may seem long to you, but you will not be the only couple getting married, and the Church needs enough time to ensure that all the paperwork is done correctly and that a Marriage Preparation course has been attended. This is particularly important if you intend to get married abroad, or if you have been married before and received an annulment. What documentation do we need? The documentation you require will vary according to circumstances. In every case you will need to provide documentation demonstrating your freedom to marry in the Catholic Church. Roman Catholics must provide a Certificate of Baptism issued approximately six months before the proposed date of the marriage. Other Christians must produce a Baptism Certificate, but it does not have to be recently issued. You may also be asked to provide a ‘Letter of Freedom to marry’ or to produce an affidavit signed by a Commissioner for Oaths, according to your circumstances. Can Catholics get married in the church of another denomination? Canon Law states that all Roman Catholics must marry according to the form of the Roman Catholic Church, if the marriage is to be valid. In certain limited cases a dispensation may be granted ‘for good canonical reasons’. A request to marry in another church ‘because we want to’, or ‘because we like the church’ or ‘because it is near the place we are holding the reception’ would not be considered a sufficient ‘canonical reason’. The Priest will be happy to discuss this with you. Must we do a Marriage Course? Normally, yes. At present we do not have the resources to run such a course within the parish, so the facility is provided by ‘Marriage Care’. The courses are run by married people and usually take place on Saturdays. To book a course phone 020 7792 2199 or email to book a place. Do we also have to contact the Civil Registrar? Yes. In order to be married in any Catholic church, civil law requires that both parties must produce a ‘Certificate for Marriage’ from the Registrar for Marriages. It is against the law for a marriage to be solemnised unless these certificates have been given to the Priest in advance of the wedding. If you live in the London Borough of Richmond you should apply to the Registrar’s Office at 1, Spring Terrace, Paradise Road, Richmond, Surrey TW9 1LW. Tel 020 8940 2853. It is advisable to check the opening hours before going there. If you live outside the Borough of Richmond, you must apply to the Registrar for the district in which you live. To give notice to the Registrar you will need to have a form of identity such as a birth certificate or passport. Ask the office and they will advise. What about Fees. Please consult the Priest and the Registry Office regarding current fees.
