Marriage at St. Marks

1. The first thing a couple need to do is to contact their local parish clergy where they live.

2. They must book the church where they wish to marry.

3. They must ensure they have a priest who has agreed to marry them.

4. The Pre-nuptial Inquiry Form for each person must be completed by the priest, for which the following are required:

A new long form Baptismal Certificate issued within six months of the proposed date of marriage from the parish of Baptism.

Indication of Confirmation (separate certificate if not recorded on baptismal certificate).

Proof of Freedom to Marry

(This can be established through the traditional letters of freedom from each of the parishes the person has lived in for six months or more since he/she was 18 years of age.

Alternatively they can ask a parent or somebody who has known them all their lives to write a letter stating their relationship to them and that to the best of their knowledge they have not been married religiously or civilly in any jurisdiction.

Another possibility is for the person to swear an affidavit before a Commissioner of Oaths attesting that he/she has never been married religiously or civilly in any jurisdiction.

It is always best to check with your local priest with regards to methods of establishing freedom to marry as practices vary from place to place.