Catholic church requirements for wedding.

Gator says on Oct 21, 2005, 07:02:

Yes, There Is A Difference... the church will require additional paperwork. No, both don't have to be a Catholic-but it helps. All the paperwork should be presented to the Archdiocese that has jurisdiction where you plan to marry ahead of time for approval.

First, you MUST have a Baptismal Certificate. If you were not born in Colombia, and you are Catholic, you must have a baptismal certificate. Their is an aging requirement, three months I think, obtained within the three months prior to the wedding with an Apostille. The baptismal certificate must be translated into Spanish.
If you are not a Catholic instead present your birth certificate. If not Catholic get a certified copy of your birth certificate translated.

Second important document is your Confirmation Certificate. This must be given be translated. If you don't have this you can give a letter from the church you belong to saying in effect you are a member of good standing.

Third a Certificado de soltería is required, if you were married previously in the Catholic Church and are divorced good luck. Then you will need proof the marriage was annulled from the Church. The you wife/husband is dead a certified copy of the death certificate.

Fourth, Take a premarital course no matter what is your religion. Can be done in a couple of weekends and can be waived. There MAY be requirement to "publish the bans" but this too can be waved.

Fifth, Say the hell with it, join hands and jump over a broomstick while saying "We are married.

Much of this can be waived by the priest doing the ceremony except baptism, confirmation, certificate of being single.

We were very lucky on making ours work in Jumandi because at that time my wife's uncle was Bishop of Cali which sure smoothed the way. Plus Father Albert was a good guy and cut some corners for us. BTW, it's still a good idea to register this ceremony with the local notary.

"Brevior Sltare Cum Deformibus Mulieribus Est Vita!" .

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utopiacowboy says on Oct 21, 2005, 07:42:

The only thing I would add to Gator's excellent response is that they may not require the documents he mentioned translated. The priest told my wife that he could read English well enough that he didn't need any of my documents (baptismal certficate with confirmation, certificado de solteria etc.) translated.

Disclaimer: any comment I make is inane and is not to be taken seriously, and is so patently ridiculous that no one should take it seriously, even as an insult.

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bbattiste says on Oct 21, 2005, 08:25:

Mine too Our priest did not require the documents to be translated. I was baptized in the Catholic Church, but never confirmed. The priest was hesitant, but still married us without me being confirmed. My wife had to take some classes for confirmation and a few premariatal classes on her own as well.

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calipro says on Oct 21, 2005, 09:14:

Looks easier than I thought... (If you were not born in Colombia, and you are Catholic, you must have a baptismal certificate.)

I was not born in Colombia and I'm not Catholic so I guess I won't be needing a baptismal certificate. However I was baptised in a Presbyterian chruch. I think I would leave that fact out if it complicates things.

(Second important document is your Confirmation Certificate.)

What's a comfirmation certificate? I assume, if you have to ask, you don't need one. hehehe!!

(Third a Certificado de soltería is required, if you were married previously in the Catholic Church and are divorced good luck.)

I was married and divorced but never in a Catholic Church. Do I still need a certificate of singlehood?

(Fourth, Take a premarital course no matter what is your religion.)

Would I have to take the course in Colombia with my future wife or here in the states? Does the Catholic Chruch let non-Catholics take premairital courses?


(Fifth, Say the hell with it, join hands and jump over a broomstick while saying "We are married.)

Sounds good to me but my girlfriend is under the impression that if you don't get married in a Catholic Church then you really aren't married.

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Gator says on Oct 21, 2005, 11:17:

You Will... need a certified copy of the divorce degree. A Lot of the other things depend upon the priest-I was lucky the Pope agreed to be the Best Man (really cut down on the paperwork but the incense damn near killed me.).

Amigo, I KNOW that feeling ("Sounds good to me but my girlfriend is under the impression that if you don't get married in a Catholic Church then you really aren't married.")

"Brevior Sltare Cum Deformibus Mulieribus Est Vita!" .

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