Since most posts cover the basics, I wanted to reiterate the post about the summer 2014 timeline. In my archdiocese annulments typically take between 12 and 18 months. In other archdiocese it may take even longer. In few archdiocese the case can take as little as 6-9 months but that is relatively rare.
You first have to meet with a priest or assigned Procurator/Advocate. You’ll need your marriage record and divorce record. You’ll also need between 3-5 witnesses who knew you and your ex-wife before and/r during the early period of marriage and who would be willing t help you by answering some questions for the tribunal about the marriage and both you and your ex. Since it can be hard to find people, the tribunal can work with you if you cannot get together enough witnesses because you cannot find people from that time of your life or because it has been so long those people have passed away, for example. You’ll need the witnesses full names and current addresses and their willingness to help. Since it can take time to get copies of paperwork and get in touch with potential witnesses I would suggest you get to work as soon as possible.
First thing after meeting with your Procurator/Advocate you fill out the papers and present those along with marriage and divorce records and the names of witnesses to the tribunal. The witnesses and your ex-wife are sent questionnaires to fill out and mail back. If there are related police reports and reports from therapists or counselors you will want copies to include and send to the tribunal as supporting evidence,
Once the tribunal has received your case they will decide if it has enough merit to continue. If so, you’ll get another batch of questions to answer along with a case number and the names of the tribunal staff who are handling your case. Then the waiting begins. Your witnesses will receive questionnaires to fill out and send back and so will your ex. Once those are received, the case goes before the tribunal judge and a decision is made as to whether or not the marriage was and is valid. The case is then shipped to a second tribunal court to be reviewed and have a second decision rendered.
If both courts decide the marriage was invalid, you are free to marry within the Church. If one says the marriage was invalid and the other says the marriage was valid the case gets sent to Rome for review and a decision. If both tribunal courts say the marriage was valid, you are still considered married to your ex-wife and cannot marry within the Church.
I am in the process, myself, and have been since late June. I went online and read my archdiocese annulment FAQ. They also had a downloadable set of forms available. I made my appointment with my priest and had all my paperwork done before I went in to see him. I filed mine at the end of June 2013. I got the letter letting me know my case had been accepted and a separate questionnaire in September, I believe. I sent my questionnaire back immediately. My ex sent his back a couple weeks later.
This past Saturday I got a letter saying my case was at a standstill. Only 2 of my 5 witnesses responded and the Church needs a minimum of 3. One of my witnesses said she mailed back the questionnaire, but forgot to put the case number on it. So, she is remailing it for me this week. If she comes through the case will proceed. If not, I have to get a another witness or seek permission to use a couple of character references willing to speak to mine and my ex’s character.
As you can see, unexpected things can delay an annulment and the Church handles many annulments each year. That’s why a Catholic isn’t supposed to set a wedding date until any marriage issues are officially resolved.
Of course, you have the option of marrying outside the Church and having the marriage convalidated after the annulment is finished, assuming a positive outcome. However, your fiancee is a catholic and is bound by Church law to marry in front of a priest or get dispensation to marry otherwise, which the Church wouldn’t grant as you are dealing with a past marriage. This means, for her, any marriage she enters into with you before you have an annulment and can say your vows in front of a priest, is NOT valid.
Additionally, if you marry her she will be considered to be committing adultery (since you are considered married til proven otherwise) and will be unable to receive the Sacraments, such as Communion, until the situation is resolved and your marriage recognized by the Church.
Thanks for that.