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Luckyclovette
Guest
I have a huge problem! My fiancé was baptized Lutheran. The church that he was baptized in is now CLOSED. I am going crazy. I don’t know how to get his Baptismal Certificate. Please help!
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Phemie
Guest
Try getting in touch with the diocese where he was baptized. They may be able to tell you where the records are being held, if they keep records.
Wouldn’t his parents have been given one when he was baptized? While the Catholic has to present a recently issued (withing the last 6 months) certificate, the non-Catholic just needs to present proof of Baptism so the original one should be OK. That’s what we used when my non-Catholic husband and I got married.
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SuscipeMeDomine
Guest
Check with your parish or diocese to see what would be acceptable proof of baptism. His parents, godparents, or others who attended the baptism could testify to it. There may be family pictures or videos that could be used. Find out what would be acceptable.
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Elizium23
Guest
Someone in your parish office should be able to help you. If they cannot or will not, call the Chancellor or Archivist at your Diocesan offices. They should have the experience required to help.
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UbiCaritas
Guest
While I’m not terribly familiar with Lutheran hierarchy, I imagine they have something a bit like we do–dioceses, or synods, or districts, or something of the sort. In the event of a Catholic church closing, records are sent either to the diocesan office or to another church assigned to hold those records by the diocese. Ask your fiancé how the Lutherans’ hierarchy goes, and then call the next step up from a parish. If he’s not sure, call another Lutheran church of the same denomination (there are a couple of denominations within Lutheranism overall) and ask them; I’m sure they’d be happy to point you in the right direction. 
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1ke
Guest
Since the Lutheran church is closed, I would contact the next closest Lutheran church of the same Synod (ELCA, Missouri, or WELS). They may have the records or know where they can be found.
If he cannot obtain baptismal records from the Lutheran church, then he can complete an affidavit of baptism.
His parents or other witness to his baptism can sign the affidavit if he was baptized as a baby. He can sign it himself if he was baptized as an older child or adult and can attest to the baptism himself. He can also submit pictures of the baptism or any commemorative certificate he may have as a proof.
If he cannot obtain baptismal records from the Lutheran church, then he can complete an affidavit of baptism.
His parents or other witness to his baptism can sign the affidavit if he was baptized as a baby. He can sign it himself if he was baptized as an older child or adult and can attest to the baptism himself. He can also submit pictures of the baptism or any commemorative certificate he may have as a proof.
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Luckyclovette
Guest
Looks like his mother is not a good records keeper.
Msgr says they need the Baptismal Certificate and then my certificates (within 6 month of our wedding). If we can’t seem to find the original certificate or get answers from their diocese (I don’t know what it is called in the Lutheran religion), then I will ask Msgr what can be accepted.
Anyone know any websites that might be helpful? Thanks!
Msgr says they need the Baptismal Certificate and then my certificates (within 6 month of our wedding). If we can’t seem to find the original certificate or get answers from their diocese (I don’t know what it is called in the Lutheran religion), then I will ask Msgr what can be accepted.
Anyone know any websites that might be helpful? Thanks!
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1ke
Guest
While that would be preferred, an avidavit of baptism is acceptable. Don’t let anyone tell you otherwise.
Anyone know any websites that might be helpful? Thanks!
Code of canon law, canon 876:
Can. 876 To prove the conferral of baptism, if prejudicial to no one, the declaration of one witness beyond all exception is sufficient or the oath of the one baptized if the person received baptism as an adult.
vatican.va/archive/ENG1104/_INDEX.HTM
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Phemie
Guest
Are his parents still alive? His godparents? Anyone who was in attendance at his Baptism? They can attest to the fact that he was baptized “in the name of the Father and of the Son and of the Holy Spirit.”
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1ke
Guest
If your pastor doesn’t already have one, he can get one from the diocesan office. It is just a form that has blanks… you know, “I ___________ witnessed the baptism of _________” that sort of thing.
You can type “catholic affidavit of baptism” in Google and several examples come up. Every diocese has a form and if they don’t, the witness can just write it out on a piece of paper and sign it.
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