Marriage

Documents required for the Sacrament of Matrimony

Basic documents required for every Groom and Bride

  • Original Baptismal Certificate with marginal notes (issued no more than 9 months prior).
  • If not baptized: Original Birth Certificate.
  • Original First Communion Certificate.
  • Original Confirmation Certificate.
  • If you have not received any Sacraments of Initiation (Baptism, Communion, or Confirmation): Certificate of RCIA registration at a parish.
  • Certificate of active membership at a parish. If you are not registered at any parish, you are invited to register at ours. Active membership is a requirement of this parish (in fact, to sign the marriage contract and set the date, you will need to present proof of at least three months of active membership).
  • If already civilly married: present your original Marriage License. It is recommended that you provide the contact information of your witnesses/godparents when submitting your documents to facilitate the registration process.

If they have already been previously married civilly, in a church, or in another religion

  

For civil or other religious ceremonies:

  • Present your ORIGINAL Marriage License.
  • ORIGINAL Divorce Decree.
  • ORIGINAL Baptismal Certificate with marginal notes (issued no more than 9 months prior). 

For Church ceremonies:

  • Present Annulment Documents along with the aforementioned documents from your civil marriage.
  • If widowed, you must also present the spouse's Death Certificate.

Marriage Preparation

1.

  • Upon bringing ALL required documents, a file will be prepared with your information.
  • It is important to note that the process will be slower if you have been married previously or if another dispensation is required. The Diocese of Phoenix must approve your marriage petition before you can begin marriage preparation. YOU WILL NOT BE ABLE TO CONTINUE WITH MARRIAGE PREPARATION IF YOU HAVE NOT SUBMITTED THE NECESSARY DOCUMENTS.

2.

  • You will meet with the coordinating couple for a few months while preparing to receive the Sacrament of Matrimony. The number of meetings depends on each couple's situation.
  • The coordinating couple will ask you to provide two witnesses each to complete an affidavit.
  • The coordinating couple will advise you on the retreats required by the Diocese that you must attend.
  • After participating in the required retreats/additional classes (or at least being registered for them), you will be ready to set a date and sign the contract.

3.

  • (Three months before the wedding)
  • If you are not yet civilly married, you must present your marriage license so that your civil marriage can take place on your wedding day.
  • Make the final payments for the celebration.

    • 4.

  • (1 month before the wedding)
  • The coordinating couple will contact the couple to finalize wedding details, such as choosing the first reading, setting a date for the rehearsal
  • Prepare through the sacrament of reconciliation.

    • Additional notes:

    • A total of $900.00 is requested in IHM (not including the refundable $250 deposit) to cover parish expenses, as well as wedding preparations, use of the church, and musician.
    • Wedding preparations will be between the parish staff and the couple only. Family members/friends of the couple will not be able to make changes related to the wedding.