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
  • 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:

  • We had a meeting where we reviewed the marriage preparation procedure and the clarification that is now in step 2 was made: After participating in the required additional retreats / classes (or at least already registered for them), they will be ready to set the date and sign the contract. This is to avoid the current problem in which the couple is about to get married and has not yet completed the required withdrawals.
  •  The Father also decided to include this part early in the marriage preparation process: If only Confirmation is missing, they can start their prenuptial file without waiting for the RCIA registration date, but with the obligation to register as soon as possible to prepare for the confirmation.
  • 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. At this moment they will determine if you are able to set a wedding date and sign the contract.
  • The marriage coordinators will guide you with information on the retreats/classes required by the Diocese.

THIRD STEP: (Three months before the wedding)

  • If you are not yet married civilly, you must present your marriage licence 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 $700 (that includes the $200 advance) 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. 03/12/21