Chancery, Marriage Preparation & Marriage Tribunal
Chancery
The Chancery Office deals with issues relating to the law of the Church. It is a resource for people—lay people as well as priests-- who require or seek information about Church laws or regulations.
The Chancery also has a role that relates to marriages celebrated in the Archdiocese. For example, when a Catholic wishes to marry a person who is not baptized, or when a Catholic person seeks permission to celebrate his/her marriage in a church other than a Catholic church, the priest who is preparing that couple for marriage will apply to the Chancery Office for the necessary permission.
Marriage Preparation
While all who are not prohibited by law have a right to marry (ref. Canon 1058), pastors have an obligation to provide couples with proper preparation for entering marriage (ref. Canon 1063).
A couple wishing to marry should contact their parish priest at least one year prior to the anticipated date of the wedding to begin the marriage preparation process. This process includes:
Meeting with the Parish Priest to fill out parish marriage forms.
Provide the parish with required Sacramental and Civil documents; and
Participate in an authorized Marriage Preparation course (preferably six months before the date of the wedding).
Information regarding upcoming marriage preparation courses can be accessed here.
A copy of the Archdiocesan Marriage Guidelines can be found here.
Marriage Tribunal
The purpose of the Marriage Tribunal Office is to prepare and examine marriage nullity applications to determine if a declaration of nullity can be granted.
The Archdiocese of St. John's is part of the Halifax Regional Marriage Tribunal. General information regarding annulments and the tribunal can be accessed here.
Further information including "Nullity Application Resources" can be accessed at
https://www.halifaxyarmouth.org/pastoral-services/marriage-tribunal
Chancery & Marriage Tribunal
Pastoral Centre
Suite 402, 33 Pippy Place
St. John's, NL
A1B 3X2
T: 709 726 3660