WHEN MARRIAGE TAKES PLACE OUTSIDE THE DIOCESE OF FALL RIVER
If residents of the Diocese of Fall River are getting married in another diocese, they normally complete the preparation for marriage at their home parish within the Diocese of Fall River. The priest or deacon preparing the parties will send the complete prenuptial file to the Tribunal of the Diocese of Fall River for transfer to the (Arch)Diocesan offices of the (arch)diocese of the parish where the wedding will take place. This is required so that the parish where the wedding will be held is assured that the bride and groom are free to marry and properly prepared for marriage. A complete prenuptial file includes the following: the preliminary investigation forms of both the bride and groom, certificates/proofs of baptism (issued within the last 6 months), other sacramental certificates, marriage preparation certificates (which may include FOCCUS results), permission of proper pastor, and, if applicable, any testimonies of free status (required for non-Catholics)*, dispensations or permissions, or letter of good standing of the priest/deacon celebrant.
WHEN MARRIAGE TAKES PLACE WITHIN THE DIOCESE OF FALL RIVER
If a bride and groom living outside the Diocese of Fall River are getting married within the Diocese of Fall River, they complete their preparation for marriage within their home diocese/parish. The priest or deacon preparing the couple will send the complete prenuptial file to their own (Arch)Diocesan Chancery / Tribunal Office, who will transfer the prenuptial file to the Tribunal of the Diocese of Fall River, who will send the prenuptial file to the parish church where the wedding will take place.
As indicated above, a complete prenuptial file includes the preliminary investigation forms of both the bride and groom, certificates/proofs of baptism (issued within the last 6 months), other sacramental certificates, marriage preparation certificates (which may include FOCCUS results), permission of proper pastor, and, if applicable, any testimonies of free status (required for non-Catholics)*, dispensations or permissions, or letter of good standing of the priest/deacon celebrant.
The prenuptial file CANNOT be transferred from parish to parish when the two parishes are located in different dioceses. In addition, the couple CANNOT hand-carry the prenuptial file to the parish. If the file needs to be sent overseas or with special delivery, the shipping costs may become the responsibility of the couple who is getting married. In an emergency situation, in addition to sending the file overseas, the couple may hand carry a “photocopy” of their prenuptial file, if desired.
It is requested that the Tribunal receive prenuptial files for weddings outside the diocese at least 45 days in advance for weddings within the United States, and at least 90 days for weddings outside the United States.
For marriages outside the United States, a civil ceremony may need to be performed before the wedding in the Catholic Church. (If the couple is already in a civil union, they will just need to produce a copy of that certificate.) It is the responsibility of the couple to inquire as to the laws of the country they will be married in, so that the civil effects of their marriage are attained. Please contact the Tribunal for more information to assist couples with planning their wedding in a foreign country.
* A testimonial or affidavit of a non-Catholic bride or groom’s free status is to be made by a witness who is a family member or someone who has known the party since early adolescence. Testimony of witnesses must be made before a Catholic priest or deacon at a local Catholic parish where the witness resides. Catholic clergy who take testimony from a witness regarding a bride or groom’s free status are to send the testimonial or affidavit to their own arch/diocesan chancery, which will then transmit it to the chancery of the arch/diocese of domicile of the non-Catholic bride or groom.