One of the common reasons someone will go through the annulment process is because they have found someone and wish to remarry. But just as often we hear couples questioning whether they really need an annulment in order to remarry. According to Catholic marriage rules, yes, you need an annulment before you can get remarried. Here’s what you need to know:

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There is a pervasive myth surrounding the Catholic annulment process that it can take years to go through all of the steps and finally receive a decision. This perception can be incredibly daunting! It’s enough to scare many away from going through the annulment process, or to put off doing so for years. In reality, there’s no need to worry so much about a long, drawn-out experience. Here’s how the Catholic annulment process works, and how...

The Catholic Church teaches that marriage is for life. In fact, we believe that marriage is a covenantal union between a couple and God that cannot be ended by anyone — not even by God because we know that He does not go back on his covenantal agreements. So, when a relationship is so strained that you start looking into divorce and annulment, that...

If you’ve been following our blog, you know that the annulment isn’t just the “Catholic divorce” process. So, with that clarification in mind, the next question on many minds is, “Do I need an annulment and a divorce?” Generally speaking, the answer is going to be yes. If you are seeking or have already received a divorce through civil courts, that...

Going through a civil divorce can be an overwhelming, emotional process. Why, then, would someone want to go through it all over again for a Catholic annulment? The good news is that, while an annulment can be an emotional process, it is also an incredibly healing one in a way that civil divorce proceedings are not. Here’s how the annulment process works, how Catholic marriage rules affect the process, and what you need to know about getting...

One of the concerns we hear time and again is that people fear the annulment process will take years before a decision is reached. Don’t let that hearsay hold you back from going through the annulment process — for many reasons, not the least of which is that it’s simply not true! The Catholic annulment process doesn’t have a set timeline, but it’s really not as long as most people think. Here’s what you need to know:

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According to civil law, you are free to remarry as soon as a divorce decree is finalized. However, according to Catholic marriage rules, you are not yet free to remarry even after a divorce is granted. The reason for this stems directly from how the Church views marriage. Here’s what you need to know:

Understanding Catholic Marriage Rules

When a couple marries, the Catholic Church believes that they have entered...

The Catholic annulment process has the reputation of being considered “Catholic divorce.” While that comparison isn’t accurate, the idea of annulment as Catholic divorce stems from the fact that many couples choose to go through an annulment investigation while also going through the civil divorce process. But annulments are not meant to take the place of a civil...

Sometimes, marriages fail, even when they start off with a solid footing and the best intentions. It's difficult when this happens, and it can feel even more overwhelming for Catholics, who believe that marriage is an indissoluble bond. When a marital relationship cannot be saved, civil law offers the option of divorce. If you know the Church's teachings, however, you know that divorce only pertains to civil (secular) law. Even with a...

Catholic annulment is distinctly different from a civil divorce, and the key reason for this stems from Catholic marriage rules and beliefs. According to the Church’s teachings, marriage is an unbreakable union; we even say as much in the wedding vows. During a Catholic wedding ceremony, both bride and groom make their vows to last "all the days of my life" or "until death do us part." A Catholic marriage is a covenant entered into...

Sometimes, relationships don’t turn out the way they should. It’s an unfortunate fact of life, but sometimes, no matter how hard we try, a relationship cannot be mended. There is an ongoing myth that the Catholic marriage rules demand that married couples stay together, even to the point of the couple’s detriment — but this isn’t the case! There is also a widespread misunderstanding that...

A Catholic annulment is often referred to as “Catholic divorce,” but that term is just plain wrong! There are some strong differences between the annulment process and civil divorce. Among those differences are some big discrepancies about who can initiate an annulment, when, and how. If you are considering going through the annulment process, here is what you need to know...

The annulment process can seem daunting, particularly when you don’t know what to expect. This is why Catholic Annulment - Another Chance is here to help. Going through an annulment can be a very emotional time, in part because you may not know how to prepare or what may come. The process is unlike civil divorce proceedings because an annulment does not end a marriage, it actually looks at the moment the vows were said to see if all of the...

Here at Catholic Annulment - Another Chance, we focus on helping individuals who are interested in the annulment process after the end of a marriage — it’s not often that we get to talk about the other side of the coin! But understanding Catholic marriage rules is an integral part of understanding how the annulment process works. A lot of the elements of marriage come into...

As we started delving into last time, the annulment process is often misunderstood. It’s not “Catholic divorce,” and it’s not the years-long process that rumor says it is! The annulment process is an investigation into a marriage to determine whether the relationship is a valid, sacramental marriage or not. In our previous post,...

There are a lot of different ideas out there surrounding the Catholic annulment — many of them far-fetched or totally wrong. For starters, an annulment is not just “Catholic divorce,” it is a separate process with separate aims. If you are interested in learning more about the annulment process, whether for yourself or for a loved one, start here for a primer on what a Catholic annulment is. For anyone looking for additional guidance, the...

A civil divorce is concerned with the division of assets and liabilities; and if there are minor children, the fulfillment of parental obligations. It is devoid of emotional healing.

However, the annulment process is centered on the emotional aspects of your marriage. It helps you realize why the previous marriage ended. So you become aware of how you need to change, or the type of partner you need to avoid.

Hopefully, it enables...

There is a pervasive myth about the Catholic annulment process, which is that an annulment can take several months, or even years from starting the process until a decision is made. While the time limit is often exaggerated, it’s true that the Catholic annulment process can feel prohibitively lengthy to some. Fortunately, Pope Francis has made some changes to the...

Choosing to separate from your spouse is a difficult decision, and one not made lightly. After all, there is more impact beyond yourself and your spouse. Both Catholic annulment and civil divorce have ripple effects that impact family and friends, whether they are connected to both of you or just one spouse or the other. While your parents, siblings, or friends may...

The end of any relationship is a trying time, no matter how amicable the split is. Just like a break-up or divorce, no one gets off scot-free emotionally during the annulment process. Understanding this can help you better prepare yourself for the emotional impact of going through the annulment process, and to find ways to help yourself cope.

The Emotional...

The end of any relationship is a trying time, no matter how amicable the split is. Just like a break-up or divorce, no one gets off scot-free emotionally during the annulment process. Understanding this can help you better prepare yourself for the emotional impact of going through the annulment process, and to find ways to help yourself cope.

The Emotional...