Beginning the process
- When can a marriage case be started?
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Diocesan policy requires that the Grand Island Tribunal not accept petitions for a marriage nullity case until one year after the divorce is granted. Do not make any plans for remarriage during this time.
If you have any questions or would like the Tribunal to begin a study of your marriage, please contact the Tribunal directly.
- How does one begin a study?
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Contact a priest (preferably one in your parish) and he will make an appointment to meet with you to find out if the Grand Island Tribunal has or can obtain jurisdiction to review your marriage.
Jurisdiction, according to the Church law, is based on the place of marriage, the residence of the other party (the respondent), or the residence of the requresting party (the petitioner), if the respondent can be contacted.
If the Tribunal of Grand Island has jurisdiction for your case, you will be asked to fill out both an application and a questionnaire. In addition to giving pertinent information, you will be asked to write a personality profile of yourself and a history of your courtship and marriage according to a set of guidelines that will be provided.
The application and questionnaire are not to be taken lightly. It is very important that the party requesting a decree of nullity (the petitioner) provide as much information as possible in the application and questionnaire. This testimony provides the basis for the case. Your parish priest or the Tribunal staff are available to assist you with completing the application.
- Required Documents
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Certain documents are required in every formal marriage nullity case. You will be asked to provide:
- a copy of each marriage record and divorce decree involved in your case. (These are obtained from the civil courthouse and must be marked with an official raised seal), and
- a recent updated baptismal certificate with annotations for yourself (if you are Catholic) and your spouse (if Catholic).
These documents must be sent to the Tribunal before work can begin on your case.
- Information from Acquaintances
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Church law requires witnesses to assist the Tribunal in obtaining a deeper understanding of you, your spouse, your marriage and its breakdown. You will be asked to provide the names of witnesses who will complete questionnaires provided by the Tribunal. The Tribunal and staff will be happy to assist your witnesses.
Sometimes doctors, psychiatrists, psychologists, professional counselors, priests, ministers, rabbis, etc, have been consulted before or during a marriage in order to assist a person or couple. These special witnesses may be helpful to the Tribunal staff as they review the study of a marriage.
If a special witness has been consulted any time before or during a union, please provide the complete name and address of the professional. After you have signed a release provided by the Tribunal, the professional may then provide confidential information that may be of great value in the study of a marriage.
Please list witnesses who are WILLING and ABLE to give us information.
- Confidentiality-Who reviews the information?
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The Diocese of Grand Island has a policy of strict confidentiality regarding all materials submitted for marriage cases. This means that your own statements and those of witnesses and professionals are treated with only the greatest respect. No one has access to these materials except the immediate members of the Tribunal staff assigned to the study of a marriage, and they are bound to strict confidentiality.
Please contact the Tribunal office if you have any questions concerning this matter.
- Next Section »
- Processing the Case