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Marriage

Requirements for Marriage

DOCUMENTS REQUIRED FROM THE BRIDE AND GROOM:

  • ORIGINAL Baptism Certificate, dated no more than 6 months from the current date and notations.
  • If not yet baptized, ORIGINAL Birth Certificate
  • ORIGINAL First Communion Certificate
  • ORIGINAL Certificate of Confirmation
  • Active Parishioner Letter ( If not registered) you are invited to register at IHM Parish.
  • If you are already married civilly, you must present your ORIGINAL Marriage License.

To facilitate the registration process, it is recommended that you have the contact information of your 2 witnesses when submitting your documents.

IF YOU HAVE BEEN MARRIED PREVIOUSLY TO ANOTHER PERSON:

  • Civil Marriage:
    • Present ORIGINAL Marriage License
    • Present ORIGINAL Divorce Decree
  • By the Church:
    • Present your annulment documents as well as the documents mentioned above from your Civil Marriage.
    • If you are widowed, please present a death certificate.

IF YOU HAVE STARTED MARRIAGE PREP AT A DIFFERENT PARISH:

  • A letter from your pastor is required authorizing you to marry in our parish and you must meet all the specific requirements of our parish.
  • The person in charge of marriage preparation at the other parish and the couple must sign an agreement

IF YOU ARE MISSING ANY SACRAMENT OF INITIATION:

If you have not received your sacraments (Baptism, Communion, Confirmation), RCIA (Catechism for Adults) classes are offered at St. Anthony Parish. If you have not received your sacraments of initiation, by signing the wedding contract you also commit to attend RCIA and receive your sacraments before marriage or on the same day if possible (if it is confirmation, the priest needs the authorization of the Bishop).

Marriage Preparation

FIRST STEP:

When you bring all the documents required, a prenuptial file will be prepared with your information.

It is important to note that it can be a longer process when you have had a  previous marriage or another dispensation has to be given. The Diocese of Phoenix will have to approve your petition of marriage in order to begin the marriage preparation process.

YOU WILL NOT BE ABLE TO CONTINUE WITH THE MARRIAGE PREPARATION IF YOU HAVE NOT TURNED IN THE NECESSARY DOCUMENTS.

SECOND STEP:

  • You will meet with the Marriage Coordinators for a few months while you prepare to receive the Sacrament of Marriage. The number of meetings depends on the unique situation of the couple to be married.
  • The marriage coordinators will ask you to present 2 witnesses each, to complete an affidavit. 
  • The marriage coordinators will guide you with information on the retreats/classes required by the Diocese.
  • After participating in the additional retreats/classes that are required (or at least already be registered in them), you will be ready to set a wedding date and sign the contract.
  • The bride and groom must present a recent letter from the parish where they are registered Active at the time of making the contract and reserving a date for the wedding. 

 THIRD STEP: (Three months before the wedding)

  • If you are not yet married civilly, you must present your marriage license so that your civil marriage can also take place at the time of your wedding.
  • Make the last payments for your celebration.

FOURTH STEP: (One month before the wedding)

  • The Marriage Coordinators will communicate with you to finalize wedding details such as choosing the first reading, setting a date for rehearsal, etc.
  • Preparare for your wedding by receiving the sacrament of reconciliation.  

Additional Notes:

  • We ask for a total of $1,150.00 (that includes the $250 reimbursable deposit.) to cover parish costs such as the marriage prep process, use of the church, and musician.
  • The preparation of your marriage will only be between the Parish and the bride and groom. Family/Friends of the bride and groom will not be able to make changes related to the wedding. 

REV. 05/2023