Can a previous marriage affect my ability to become Catholic?

   According to Catholic teaching, any baptized person who has been married and divorced is not free to re-marry until any previous marriage has been annulled. 
   An "Annulment" (which is technically called a Declaration of Invalidity) is a statement by a church tribunal which declares a previous marriage null or void.  An annulment does not mean a couple was not legally married; it means that the marriage did not meet the Church's criteria for a sacramental marriage because one or both partners were unable or unwilling to fulfill the requirements for a sacramental marriage.
   In most cases, this applies to any previous marriage of a non-Catholic who has been baptized in a Christian denomination. 

   This is how a previous marriage can affect your ability to become Catholic:

• Individuals who have divorced but not remarried may enter the RCIA or RCRA process and celebrate initiation in the Catholic Church.  They must have their previous marriage annulled before entering a second marriage.

• Individuals who have divorced and remarried without an annulment may enter the RCIA or RCRA process, but must have their previous marriage annulled and their second marriage validated before they celebrate initiation in the Catholic Church.

• Individuals who are living in a marriage not recognized by the Catholic Church (such as a marriage before a civil authority) may enter the RCIA or RCRA process but must have their marriage blessed by the Church before they celebrate initiation or reception.

You should clarify your marital status with the pastor or pastoral staff before you begin preparation to join the Catholic Church.

Learn More
• More Information About Annulments.

Last Update 09.15.20