Is Confirmation REQUIRED for Convalidation of Marriage?

[BostonMyrtleBea]

I am in the process of getting my marriage convalidated.

I’m Baptized and confirmed in the CC. When doing the paperwork, they asked for my Baptismal cert (had to be 6mos old or less). It was sent directly to my current parish. My current parish said there was a problem because my NEITHER my First Communion nor Conformation were recorded on the Baptismal cert.

I was told to call the two (different) prior parishes and have them update my Baptismal parish with the information so they could send a NEW Basptismal Cert.

I called the parish where I received my FC. They said they DO NOT forward FC information to the Baptismal parish, but they would send the FC cert over to my current parish. My current parish said they’re wrong, they are not doing it right, etc. (nothing I can do about that).

I’m trying to get the Confirmation info as well. This parish is having issues… admin not there, nobody else can help, etc…

When I asked my CURRENT parish if CONFIRMATION was REQUIRED, he didn’t know but is requiring the paperwork anyway. At this point, my current paperwork is nearly expired, so now I have to start all over again if I can’t get this information in.

Since he couldn’t answer the question, and NONE of the parishes seem to be following the same rules, I am trying to find information on where it is REQUIRED (if so) to have the Confirmation cert as well. I have read that it’s not required for marriage (though suggested).

He is saying that all of the other parishes (except) his aren’t doing their paperwork properly. The problem is that I have no idea why they don’t nor can control how they do their paperwork. I’m sure I can’t be the ONLY person whose Baptismal cert isn’t updated with this information. Just as an FYI, the FC and Confirmation parishes are not the same - they are not even in the same state.

 

[jjdrury81]

My marriage was convalidated this past year. I have not been confirmed.

We sat down and had a long talk with our priest about the issue.

Good luck.

 

[Friar_David_O.Carm]

I believe that a Catholic must be confirmed to get married in the Church. If that is the case the a Catholic would also have to be confirmed to have their marriage convalidated.

 

[maryjk]

I had a Convalidation of Marriage in 2003.

I had been Confirmed. My husband, Baptized Catholic, has not been Confirmed.

 

[Phemie]

Can. 1065 §1. Catholics who have not yet received the sacrament of confirmation are to receive it before they are admitted to marriage if it can be done without grave inconvenience.

I’m no authority but it seems to me that it would be more important to validate a marriage and reconcile the couple with the Church than to insist on Confirmation first. If not confirmed before, steps should be taken to be confirmed at the earliest opportunity.

That said, I’ve never known a parish to send notification of First Communion to the Parish that hold the record of baptism. We don’t even list it on the Certificates of Baptism we issue. Confirmation and Marriage are recorded in the baptismal record, not Communion. We are not even required to record First Communions, even though we usually do in the First Communion register.

 

[Br.Rich_SFO]

I am in the process of getting my marriage convalidated.

I’m Baptized and confirmed in the CC. When doing the paperwork, they asked for my Baptismal cert (had to be 6mos old or less). It was sent directly to my current parish. My current parish said there was a problem because my NEITHER my First Communion nor Conformation were recorded on the Baptismal cert.

I was told to call the two (different) prior parishes and have them update my Baptismal parish with the information so they could send a NEW Basptismal Cert.

I called the parish where I received my FC. They said they DO NOT forward FC information to the Baptismal parish, but they would send the FC cert over to my current parish. My current parish said they’re wrong, they are not doing it right, etc. (nothing I can do about that).

I’m trying to get the Confirmation info as well. This parish is having issues… admin not there, nobody else can help, etc…

When I asked my CURRENT parish if CONFIRMATION was REQUIRED, he didn’t know but is requiring the paperwork anyway. At this point, my current paperwork is nearly expired, so now I have to start all over again if I can’t get this information in.

Since he couldn’t answer the question, and NONE of the parishes seem to be following the same rules, I am trying to find information on where it is REQUIRED (if so) to have the Confirmation cert as well. I have read that it’s not required for marriage (though suggested).

He is saying that all of the other parishes (except) his aren’t doing their paperwork properly. The problem is that I have no idea why they don’t nor can control how they do their paperwork. I’m sure I can’t be the ONLY person whose Baptismal cert isn’t updated with this information. Just as an FYI, the FC and Confirmation parishes are not the same - they are not even in the same state.

Yes parishes that celebrate Sacraments are required by Canon Law to send that information to the parish of your Baptism.

Yes, you are required to be Confirmed “if it’s possible” prior to the Sacrament of Marriage.

 

[Br.Rich_SFO]

Can. 1065 §1. Catholics who have not yet received the sacrament of confirmation are to receive it before they are admitted to marriage if it can be done without grave inconvenience.

I’m no authority but it seems to me that it would be more important to validate a marriage and reconcile the couple with the Church than to insist on Confirmation first. If not confirmed before, steps should be taken to be confirmed at the earliest opportunity.

That said, I’ve never known a parish to send notification of First Communion to the Parish that hold the record of baptism. We don’t even list it on the Certificates of Baptism we issue. Confirmation and Marriage are recorded in the baptismal record, not Communion. We are not even required to record First Communions, even though we usually do in the First Communion register.

Every parish is required to keep records of the Sacraments of Baptism, First Communion, Confirmation, and Marriage celebrated in the parish church and forward the information to the parish of Baptism for those who were not Baptized in that parish.

 

[Phemie]

Every parish is required to keep records of the Sacraments of Baptism, First Communion, Confirmation, and Marriage celebrated in the parish church and forward the information to the parish of Baptism for those who were not Baptized in that parish.

Recording of Baptisms, Confirmations, Marriages and Ordinations is dictated by Canon Law. There is no such requirement for the first reception of Communion, Penance or Anointing of the Sick.

 

[Br.Rich_SFO]

Recording of Baptisms, Confirmations, Marriages and Ordinations is dictated by Canon Law. There is no such requirement for the first reception of Communion, Penance or Anointing of the Sick.

I didn’t mention First Penance, as no certificates are even to be given out. Anointing of the Sick is also never recorded because it is repeatable. I suspect parishes may not record or report First Communion because it is a repeatable Sacrament. However they are supposed to, and always have historically.

 

[Phemie]

I didn’t mention First Penance, as no certificates are even to be given out. Anointing of the Sick is also never recorded because it is repeatable. I suspect parishes may not record or report First Communion because it is a repeatable Sacrament. However they are supposed to, and always have historically.

I deal with registers dating back to the 1920s on a daily basis but I have never seen a notation of FC in the baptismal record.

 

[kage_ar]

Contact the Diocese office of Chancery and Archives. Someone there will assist you in sorting things out.

 

[Br.Rich_SFO]

I deal with registers dating back to the 1920s on a daily basis but I have never seen a notation of FC in the baptismal record.

You are correct. I’m now wondering if it (FC) was required in the old CCL.

My Baptism certificate I obtained about 15 years ago has Baptism, First Communion, Confirmation listed on the back with the correct dates and places. The current Code says that Confirmation, Marriage, Ordination /Profession and change of Rite is to be recorded in the parish or diocesan register and the information sent to the parish of Baptism. I think it was Canon 535.

 

[Phemie]

You are correct. I’m now wondering if it (FC) was required in the old CCL.

My Baptism certificate I obtained about 15 years ago has Baptism, First Communion, Confirmation listed on the back with the correct dates and places. The current Code says that Confirmation, Marriage, Ordination /Profession and change of Rite is to be recorded in the parish or diocesan register and the information sent to the parish of Baptism. I think it was Canon 535.

Yes, Canon 535 in the 1983 CCL is about keeping the records. I’ve never been issued a certificate of Baptism (baptized, confirmed & married in the same parish) so have no idea if my First Communion would be recorded on it.

 

[puzzleannie]

Ordinarily Confirmation is required before a Catholic gets married, unless it cannot be done for a grave reason, in which case it should be conferred as soon as possible after marriage.

A Catholic who has already been married outside the Church–that is in violation of Church laws on marriage, such as having the marriage witnessed by a priest or deacon, marrying a non-Catholic without a dispensation, etc. may NOT receive First Communion or Confirmation (if it has not yet been conferred) UNTIL the marriage situation is rectified, usually through convalidation, and a sacramental confession of all grave sins, including those related to the marriage problem (the disobedience of Church law, the objective state of “living in sin” that is, the continued fornication). That is the objective situation, the subjective judgement of the individual’s state of soul is of course reserved for the confessional. He must be in the state of sanctifying grace to receive those sacraments, which means he must confess beforehand, because he is objectively in a sinful state as long as the invalid marriage remains unrectified and cannot receive absolution until the objective cause of the sinful state is remedied (ie the marriage is convalidated).

Sit down with the pastor–not the parish secretary, not the DRE, not the catechist, not the wedding coordinator–and get this ironed out. Whenever a Catholic requests marriage, whether he is just planning marriage or is having a civil marriage convalidated, he must provide a recent baptismal certificate listing all sacraments received (baptism, confirmation, marriage, ordination, which are required to be entered in the parish sacramental record in the baptismal book). Some parishes also record first communions but it is not required. Religious profession is also entered in the baptismal record. The baptismal parish must provide this information, certified with the parish seal, to the requesting parish, and indeed many insist on sending this to the pastor of the parish where the marriage will be celebrated, to prevent the information from being misused. This certificate should be issued within the last 6 months, so the info is up to date, and obviously is part of proving one may be married (no prior bond etc.).

 

[BostonMyrtleBea]

Okay. Thanks to all. I’m confirmed already. I was just wondering if I needed that record. Since it’s apparent NONE of the parishes are following the same rules, I have a lot of running around to do. Guess that’s what I’ll go do.

 

[FrDavid96]

I am in the process of getting my marriage convalidated.

I’m Baptized and confirmed in the CC. When doing the paperwork, they asked for my Baptismal cert (had to be 6mos old or less). It was sent directly to my current parish. My current parish said there was a problem because my NEITHER my First Communion nor Conformation were recorded on the Baptismal cert.

I was told to call the two (different) prior parishes and have them update my Baptismal parish with the information so they could send a NEW Basptismal Cert.

I called the parish where I received my FC. They said they DO NOT forward FC information to the Baptismal parish, but they would send the FC cert over to my current parish. My current parish said they’re wrong, they are not doing it right, etc. (nothing I can do about that).

I’m trying to get the Confirmation info as well. This parish is having issues… admin not there, nobody else can help, etc…

When I asked my CURRENT parish if CONFIRMATION was REQUIRED, he didn’t know but is requiring the paperwork anyway. At this point, my current paperwork is nearly expired, so now I have to start all over again if I can’t get this information in.

Since he couldn’t answer the question, and NONE of the parishes seem to be following the same rules, I am trying to find information on where it is REQUIRED (if so) to have the Confirmation cert as well. I have read that it’s not required for marriage (though suggested).

He is saying that all of the other parishes (except) his aren’t doing their paperwork properly. The problem is that I have no idea why they don’t nor can control how they do their paperwork. I’m sure I can’t be the ONLY person whose Baptismal cert isn’t updated with this information. Just as an FYI, the FC and Confirmation parishes are not the same - they are not even in the same state.

Remember that your pastor has to have the bishop’s permission before he can convalidate your marriage. That means that a recent copy of your baptismal record has to be sent to the chancery (office of matrimonial concerns, or whatever your diocese might call that office). If the chancery receives your baptismal record and no confirmation is recorded, they may send the paperwork back to your parish and say “send it back when it’s complete” or “this person has no record of Confirmation, explain this” and that would only cause further delays. In deciding whether or not to grant permission for the convalidation, your bishop might (I say again: might) take into consideration whether or not you were confirmed, so this has the potential to be very important information. Canon law does not say that a person must be Confirmed before marriage, only strongly recommends it, but that doesn’t change the part about the bishop (or his designee) needing to know your confirmation status before granting the permission for a convalidation–it’s very relevant information.

In any case, whenever such records are sent to the bishop, they should be complete and correct, and your pastor would be negligent if he knowingly sent incomplete information. So your own pastor is doing the right thing in insisting that the baptismal record be complete and accurate before he submits that to the bishop.

If you’re having a hard time getting the confirmation information from the parish at which you were confirmed, you might ask your pastor to contact the diocese where you were confirmed, and ask them to supply a certificate. He could then send that along with the baptismal certificate and an accompanying note explaining why it’s not recorded on the baptismal record.

 

[maryjk]

If you’re having a hard time getting the confirmation information from the parish at which you were confirmed, you might ask your pastor to contact the diocese where you were confirmed, and ask them to supply a certificate. He could then send that along with the baptismal certificate and an accompanying note explaining why it’s not recorded on the baptismal record.

I was worried about my Confirmation record. I also had received all of my sacraments at different parishes, different states and some in different countries. I was told that if the confirmation wasn’t recorded anywhere, I could have people write letters stating that they knew I had been Confirmed. I had never heard of that, but I have since only with being Baptized. I was very lucky that all of the parishes had reported all of my Sacraments, even First Communion.

If no one has a record, does anyone know if what am talking about will work?

 

[puzzleannie]

Okay. Thanks to all. I’m confirmed already. I was just wondering if I needed that record. Since it’s apparent NONE of the parishes are following the same rules, I have a lot of running around to do. Guess that’s what I’ll go do.

the Parish where you are going to be married can do a lot of the legwork for you, if they request the record from your baptismal parish. and yes ordinarily it is required, if you already have the sacrament. As I say sit down with the pastor as contact from him can probably dissolve the knot. The other reason to speak with him that canon law requires that the sacraments I listed be reported to the baptismal parish, and the notation made in the permanent record, so if there are parishes not adhering to this the diocese needs to know as this is not just bad record keeping it is a violation of the canon law.

 

[Phemie]

I was worried about my Confirmation record. I also had received all of my sacraments at different parishes, different states and some in different countries. I was told that if the confirmation wasn’t recorded anywhere, I could have people write letters stating that they knew I had been Confirmed. I had never heard of that, but I have since only with being Baptized. I was very lucky that all of the parishes had reported all of my Sacraments, even First Communion.

If no one has a record, does anyone know if what am talking about will work?

Yes, Canon Law says that the testimony of one witness is sufficient to prove that you were baptized and applies the same condition to Confirmation.