Evansville Catholic Diocese
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Tribunal - Questions and Answers


What is an annulment?
An annulment (declaration of nullity) is a judgment made by the Tribunal that one's prior marriage has been found to be invalid according to the laws of the Catholic Church. Evidentiary proof must be presented that one or both of the parties lacked the capacity to consent to marriage or that one of the essential elements of marriage was lacking; other reasons may also exist. Grounds must be present in order to declare a marriage invalid according to Church law. An extensive investigation will take place in order to determine whether a given marriage is invalid or not.
Will my former spouse be contacted?
Yes. Your previous spouse must be contacted in order to officially notify him or her that a petition has been presented to the Tribunal, requesting that an investigation take place regarding the validity of the prior marriage. As a principal party, he or she has several rights in canon law and has the option to fully participate in this investigation, including, but not limited to: being interviewed, reading the acts of the case, and providing witnesses.  He or she is assured of the right of defense.
May a divorced Catholic receive the Sacraments?
If a Catholic is divorced and has not remarried, this does not prevent one from receiving the Sacraments; one must be in the state of grace as all Catholics are called to be. If a Catholic has divorced and remarried without benefit of an annulment or is currently living together with someone, he or she must first obtain an annulment as well as his or her proposed spouse, if necessary, and receive marriage preparation in order to exchange consent before the official witness of the Church. Following a declaration of nullity, a prior civil marriage will then be convalidated by this new act of consent which takes place before a priest or deacon and two witnesses.
How do I petition for an annulment?
The first step is for you to contact your parish priest who will serve as your advocate throughout this investigation. He will help you in gathering the necessary documentation as well as in providing assistance as you respond to the thorough questionnaire. When that is completed, he will submit that material to the Tribunal where the official investigation will begin.

Is there a cost?
There is no fee at all.

Please note the following:
In order to be married in the Catholic Church, all prior marriages, whether or not they took place in the Church, must be investigated for the possibility of a declaration of nullity. Both Catholic marriages and non-Catholic marriages are presumed to be valid unless proven otherwise.

If you should have additional questions, please call the Tribunal at (812) 424-5536 or (800) 637-1731.
© Copyright 2025  |  Catholic Diocese of Evansville  |  4200 N. Kentucky Avenue  |  Evansville, IN 47711  |  (812) 424-5536
  • Home
  • Departments
    • Bishop's Office
    • Vicar General
    • Activities & Facilities >
      • Catholic Center Meeting Rooms
      • Sarto Retreat Center
    • Catechesis
    • Catholic Charities
    • Chancellor
    • Communications >
      • The Message Website
    • Finance Office >
      • Forms & Documents
    • Marriage Family and Life >
      • Capital Punishment
      • Courage
      • Divorce Prevention and Support
      • Environmental Stewardship
      • Infertility Resources
      • Faithful Citizenship
      • Healthcare
      • Marriage Preparation
      • Miscarriage Resources
      • Natural Family Planning
      • Over 55
      • Project Rachel
      • Respect Life
      • The Rosary
      • Walking with Moms in Need
    • Ministerio Hispano/ Hispanic Ministry >
      • Noticias y Eventos / News and Events
      • Nuestra Mision y Peronal/ Our Mission and Staff
      • Ministerios/Ministries
      • Ambiente Seguro/Safe Environment
      • Servicios/Services
      • Nuestra Fe/Our Faith
      • Tradiciones Hispanas/Hispanic Traditions
    • Permanent Diaconate >
      • Role & Function of the Deacon
      • Want to Become a Deacon?
      • Formation Program & Schedule
    • Stewardship >
      • Catholic Ministries Appeal
      • The Bruté Society
    • Tribunal
    • Vocations
    • Worship >
      • Jubilee 2025
      • Newsletter
      • Policies & Guidelines
      • Liturgical Calendar
      • Mass
      • Sacraments
      • RCIA
      • Liturgical Music
      • Events
      • Contact
    • Youth & Young Adult >
      • Young Adult Ministry
      • OYAYA Calendar & News
      • Diocesan Forms for OYAYA
      • Saint Maria Goretti Youth Distinction
      • National Catholic Youth Conference
      • March for Life
      • Diocesan Youth Day
      • World Youth Day
      • Scouts BSA and Girl Scouts
      • TEC
      • Source + Summit
      • Scholarship Information
  • Directories
  • Safe Environment
  • Employment Opportunities
  • Links & Resources
  • About Us
    • Previous Bishops
    • History of the Diocese
    • Old Cathedral Library & Museum
  • Contact Us
  • Media
    • News
    • Media Inquiries
  • Mass Times Map
  • Parishes Map
  • Schools Map
  • Catholic Schools
    • Information for Prospective Families
    • Accreditation
    • Exceptional Children Programs
    • Marketing & Development
    • Mission & Vision
    • Professional Development
    • School Council/President's Council
    • School Employment Opportunities
    • Schools Information
    • Standards
    • Tuition Assistance
    • Wellness
    • Contact Us
  • 3-D Communications
  • DONATE NOW
  • Pastoral Priorities 2025-2030
  • MyDio