How do you get a religious annulment?

A religious annulment is technically different than a civil annulment, which is an alternative to divorce that may be applied in certain cases. When a religious annulment is desired, the act basically involves the declaration that a marriage was invalid and/or never happened.

A religious annulment may be required for a person who is or has been married to marry another within the particular religion. Catholics, for example, may require an annulment in order to remarry within the church.

The rules surrounding religious annulment can vary from religion to religion.  With this in mind, it is best for a party seeking religious annulment to speak with a member of the clergy for specifics. A Catholic annulment, for example, can call for very different procedures than a Jewish annulment.

Seeking Civil Annulment

While a religious annulment will declare a marriage null and void in the eyes of a church, a civil annulment can do the same legally. This legal procedure is appropriate in place of a divorce in some jurisdictions under specific circumstances. The more common cases where annulment may be acceptable included:

• The discovery of blood relations between the bride and groom
• A marriage that involves underage parties
• Failure to consummate a marriage
• Misrepresentation that led to the marriage
• Mental or physical incapacity of a partner
• Failure to disclose prior marital status

Speak to an Attorney

Whether a religious annulment is desired or a civil proceeding, it is best to consult with a reputable divorce attorney. A legal representative may be able to help in either case by presenting a client’s case and seeking appropriate action.