Annulments and Supporting Documents

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docd9333

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Greetings,

I am currently going through the “Marriage Annulment” process, and to provide proof that my marriage was invalid do to my spouses many deceptions (“not of sound mind”)and her interpretation/reasons for marrying me were dubious at best.

One of the many deceitful things she did during the preparation of marriage was telling our Decon that she did not have a copy of her Baptismal Certificate - telling him that she was very young when the sacrament took place and that it “happened at some church at some lake”. After a few days later, our Decon had her fill out, and sign, an affidavit for the Church swearing that the Baptism was done in the name of the “Father, Son, and Holy Spirit”. Apparently, after she filled everything out, this document was good enough for our marriage to proceed. Again, this was only one of the many deceptions that took place, as a few years later she admitted to me that she really didn’t know if what she experienced was a true Baptism or even one at all!

My question is, where could I get a copy of that affidavit (or church document) to help show my diocese supporting evidence to back up my claim for the “Tribunals decision”?

Thanks for any help in advance!
 
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I imagine the place to start would the church where it was completed. They can give you any additional direction you may need.
 
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Greetings,

I am currently going through the “Marriage Annulment” process, and to provide proof that my marriage was invalid do to my spouses many deceptions (“not of sound mind”)and her interpretation/reasons for marrying me were dubious at best.

One of the many deceitful things she did during the preparation of marriage was telling our Decon that she did not have a copy of her Baptismal Certificate - telling him that she was very young when the sacrament took place and that it “happened at some church at some lake”. After a few days later, our Decon had her fill out, and sign, an affidavit for the Church swearing that the Baptism was done in the name of the “Father, Son, and Holy Spirit”. Apparently, after she filled everything out, this document was good enough for our marriage to proceed. Again, this was only one of the many deceptions that took place, as a few years later she admitted to me that she really didn’t know if what she experienced was a true Baptism or even one at all!

My question is, where could I get a copy of that affidavit (or church document) to help show my diocese supporting evidence to back up my claim for the “Tribunals decision”?

Thanks for any help in advance!

Blessings 🙂
 
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It would be in the marriage packet/paperwork where you did marriage prep. The thing is, it is very difficult to “prove a negative”, so, to prove that she was never baptized sounds like a very longshot. Your Tribunal Advocate ought to be talking with you about what documentation is needed.
 
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Thank you for your reply. I planned to give them a shot Monday - Although, the church has been renamed and has a very slow and almost incompetent pastoral staff. They never answer their phones. It took me three weeks to finally get someone on the phone regarding my marriage certificate. In reference to my current issue, I wonder if the church kept records of all the preparation documents we filled out, or if they are sent somwhere like their diocese or something?

All the same - looks like I have a bit of homework left to do!

Thanks again!
 
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Many parishes have offices staffed by volunteers.
 
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Oh, I agree wholeheartedly and plan to speak with her on Monday - as I just remembered all this just the other day.

My former “spouse” has many, many, many other issues (like mental health) and did not adhere to any of the church teachings regarding our children; to include she was definitely without a doubt not in her right mind making the decision to marry me. So, I have a litany of other supporting documents and information as well. I just thought by her lying to the church about being baptized was more information I could use.

Thank you so much for your reply! 🙂
 
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Just a little side note op meaning well, spouse…not “spouse” as you are married still.I’m also going through the annulment petition and am wearing my wedding ring,I was explaining this to my daughter yesterday 🙂
 
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Yes it was - didn’t know if i should post it under another subject heading. New to the site and didn’t know my post showed up on two different threads at once.

Per your request, I have no problem requesting that the moderator delete it.

Enjoy your day!
 
Yes, you are absolutely correct, as technically you and I are still married to our “spouses” under the eyes of God. Maybe I’m just prematurely assuming she’s already my “ex spouse” because I already know the marriage wasn’t valid to begin with. Thanks for the constructive criticism regarding how I phrased that though.
 
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Wow. I know you only joined a day ago, so perhaps spending a little time here before going off on someone who’s trying to help you would be in order.

To answer your question as briefly as possible, you don’t. The affidavit is part of your marriage prep file—which will be sent to the Tribunal as part of the process.
 
I suggest, if you do not already have one, that you engage the services of an advocate. The tribunal handling your case will have a list of approved advocates. If you have already engaged one then this is a question best put to your advocate.

I am not an advocate so what follows comes with that caveat. When you were ‘instructed’ for marriage the priest should have completed a file with all the necessary paperwork in it. That ought to be in the archive of the parish where the instruction took place. If the parish has closed the diocesan chancery will know where its archives are now kept.
 
docd9333 said:
Referencing Canonical laws and referring me back to my “advocate” truly is not providing me any help, it is only giving me the impression of self absorbed arrogance.
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You’re in the middle of a canonical process. Advising you to understand the canons that govern the process, and asking you to confer with the people who are part of that process (i.e., the advocate assigned to your case) isn’t ‘arrogant’, but rather, is prudent.
docd9333 said:
You’re clearly not helping me in any way, to include It really is unbecoming of a Christian and what our faith has taught us.
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@TheLittleLady is a well-known and valued member of our community. You, on the other hand, are unknown. We might agree that there is some behavior that’s “unbecoming of a Christian”, but you might be unhappy to learn the direction from which we perceive that behavior is occurring. 😉
TomH1 said:
I suggest, if you do not already have one, that you engage the services of an advocate.
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An advocate is assigned to a petitioner when they begin the process. In my diocese, the petitioner is requested to contact the advocate. (The advocate is advised to reach out once, if s/he is not contacted by the petitioner.)
TomH1 said:
I am not an advocate so what follows comes with that caveat. When you were ‘instructed’ for marriage the priest should have completed a file with all the necessary paperwork in it.
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When a petitioner submits his/her documentation, the tribunal contacts the parish where the couple was prepared for marriage, and requests that this information be sent to the tribunal. In short, they’ve got this covered. That’s why it’s good advice to discuss these matters with one’s advocate.
 
Whoa—what the heck! Where did that come from?

In any event, I answered your question. You don’t get the affidavit. The Tribunal gets it from your marriage prep documents.
 
Sorry you took most people’s posts the wrong way OP :thinking:I saw nothing but kindly advice and help .
God bless and all the best.
 
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