Annulment

An annulment is a declaration that despite all outward appearances, no marriage ever took place. The declaration does not break an existing sacramental bond; it is judgment that no such bond ever came into existence in the first place.

Roman Catholic Canon Law

Lack of Canonical Form

For a marriage of a Catholic to be a sacrament, the vows must be received by a minister of the Church in the presence of witnesses (canons 1108-1123).

Grounds for annulment in secular law

A secular view.:

Lack of capacity for marriage

• Existing marriage.
• Legal prohibition against one partner marrying.
  • Under age of consent (varies from place to place).
  • Lack of parental consent for a minor to marry.
• Force or fear.
• Mental incapacitation at the time of marriage
  • Temporary or permanent insanity .
  • Intoxication (drugs or alcohol) at the time of the marriage.
• Impotence (lack of consummation).
• Incest (whole or half siblings, first cousins, parents, grandchildren, uncles, aunts, and the like).

Some type of fraud

• Fraudulent statements or actions by the other party.
• Lack of intention to marry.
• Deception about identity.
• Using the marriage for some other purpose (e.g., gaining citizenship or inheritance rights, financial gain).

Annulments in Catholicism

• Handout on annulment.
• DivorcedCatholic.org: Providing answers and insights for divorced Catholics.