Dear Petitioner,

As you begin preparing the Petitioner Information Form, I would like to remind you that the
purpose of this application is formally to request that the Metropolitan Tribunal initiate an investigation
to clarify whether or not you are bound by a previous marriage according to the teaching and law of the
oman !atholic !hurch" This form and the other required documents #see !hecklist$ will begin a
formal canonical process to resolve the question concerning this marriage" The enclosed Petition,
together with the required documents and your sworn testimony, as well as that of your former spouse
and witnesses, will provide the basis by which the Tribunal %udges make a decision"
This Information Form is divided into four sections:
The first section asks basic information regarding you #the Petitioner$, about your former spouse
#the espondent$, and about your courtship and marriage"
The second section is to be completed only if you cannot locate your former spouse after
trying the sources and avenues available to you.
The third section contains a series of questions that will help the Tribunal understand the
circumstances related to your marriage" This section also contains information, which will help
you in proposing the reason or basis for the Tribunal to e&amine the validity of your marriage to
the espondent" 'astly, this section contains the Petition itself which is the official document
required to open the investigation for a possible declaration of invalidity"
The final section asks for the names and complete addresses of witnesses who can be cited by
the Tribunal and asked to come in to give testimony about the marriage in question" The last
page of this document is a checklist of what is required for you to submit to the Tribunal.
If you would like assistance in completing this form, please speak with a Priest or Deacon at the Parish"
(nce it is complete, please mail it and the required documents to the Tribunal office" The Tribunal will
then notify you of the ne&t steps in the process" In order for the process to run smoothly, it is important
that you keep us informed of any change in address for you, your former spouse or your witnesses"
)hould you have any questions or concerns, please contact the Tribunal"
If, after receiving your Petition and documentation, it is discovered that you have a special case, which
might be better addressed, by another type of process, you will be contacted by the Tribunal to e&plain
the options available to you"
The Tribunal cannot guarantee the outcome of the case nor provide a timeframe for its completion;
please do not set a date for a wedding until you have the final decree in hand from the Tribunal.
*ery everend ichard '" +elch, !")s"", %"!"D"
%udicial *icar
evised ,-.,-,/.0
Metropolitan TribunalArchdiocese of New York
1011 First Avenue, New York, NY 10022 (Tel) 646-794-3200
Petitioner Information Form
Determining Jurisdiction
Before you begin working on the Information Form, it is essential to determine that the Metropolitan
Tribunal of the Archdiocese of New York is the court that has urisdiction, i!e!, the competence and the legal
authority to accept your "etition and to make a udgment about the marriage in #uestion!
The Code of Canon Law pro$ides se$eral ways for a Tribunal to be competent in a specific case! Based on
these, the Metropolitan Tribunal of New York is competent if at least one of the criteria below is met%
&! If the marriage was celebrated in the Archdiocese of New York *
'! If the (espondent )i!e!, your former spouse* li$es in the Archdiocese of New York at least + months a
year!
+! If you li$e in the Archdiocese of New York and your former spouse li$es in some other )Arch*diocese in
the ,- .piscopal /onference (this does not include the Commonwealth of Puerto Rico which has
its own Episcopal Conference), but only after the Tribunal of your former spouse0s )Arch*diocese
makes contact with him or her and grants consent to the Archdiocese of New York!
1! If the maority of proofs )witnesses and other e$idence* are to be found in the Archdiocese of New
York, but only after the Tribunal of your former spouse0s )Arch*diocese makes contact with him or her
and grants consent to the Archdiocese of New York!
Based on the four criteria abo$e, please indicate below how the Metropolitan Tribunal of New York is competent to
udge the marriage in #uestion%
&! '! +! 1!
If none of these apply, you must contact the (rch)diocese of a competent !ri"unal ("ased on the criteria of
#$% a"o&e) in order to ma'e a Petition for a Declaration of In&alidity(
* The territory of the Archdiocese of New York includes the following counties% (ichmond, Manhattan, Bron2,
(ockland, 3estchester, "utnam, 4range, 5utchess, -ulli$an and ,lster!
evised ,-.,-,/.0
Section 1
Petitioner (you)
I FFI!" #$F%!$ &%' (' ") *%(+*I$(*$ T,T -- %F T,$
I(F%!"TI%( I P!%.I'$ ,$!$I( I+ T!/$ (' *%"P-$T$.
C)*!C! I*+)R,!I)* P!A"! P#$NT %# TYP! A $NF%#&AT$%N $N 'A()
Title

First Name

Middle Name

/urrent 6ast Name

Family Name

Address

Male
Female
/ity

/ounty

-tate

7I"

.mail% 4ccupation%
Please indicate how you may "e contacted a"out your case in addition to regular mail-
8ome Telephone
) *
/ellular Telephone ) *
3ork Telephone ) * e2t!
You authori9e us to lea$e a message regarding your case at% .mail 8ome phone /ell 3ork

.I)/RP0IC1 I*+)R,!I)*
5ate of Birth (mm/dd/yyyy)
"lace of Birth% /ity
-tate or "ro$ince /ountry
.efore the marriage in #uestion, were you e$er bapti9ed: Yes No Not ;nown
If yes, in which church or denomination were you bapti9ed:

3hat was the date of your baptism: )mm<dd<yyyy*
If e2act baptism date not yet a$ailable , please supply the year%
/hurch or parish of baptism
/ity
-tate or "ro$ince /ountry
3hat was your religion or denomination at the time of the wedding:
3hat religion or denomination do you now obser$e or practice:
/urrent parish or congregation
/ity
-tate or "ro$ince /ountry
Is there any .astern (ite )/atholic or 4rthodo2* affiliation in your family background )e.g., Byzantine, Ruthenian,
Ukrainian, Maronite, Armenian, Greek, yrian or other*: If yes, which:
evised ,-.,-,/.0
evised ,-.,-,/.0
espondent (the former spouse to the marriage)
Title

First Name

Middle Name

/urrent 6ast Name

Family Name

-treet Address

Male
Female
/ity

/ounty

-tate

7I"

Telephone%
0 1
/ountry

Are you in contact with the (espondent at this time:

.mail% (espondent0s 4ccupation%
1 I,P)R!*! *)!E- You MUST provide the complete current mailing address for the
Respondent! "ithout this information# the case ma$ not be accepted! If $ou ha%e made
serious efforts to locate the espondent# but still cannot pro%ide a complete address# see
Section & and pro%ide all documentation! The Tribunal will attempt also to locate the
espondent' howe%er this ma$ dela$ the case!
(espondent0s 5ate of Birth (mm<dd<yyyy)
"lace of Birth% /ity

-tate or "ro$ince

/ountry

Before marrying you, was the (espondent e$er bapti9ed: Yes No Not ;nown
If yes, in which church or denomination was the (espondent bapti9ed:
3hat was the date of the (espondent0s baptism: (mm<dd<yyyy)
If e2act baptism date not a$ailable, please supply the year%
/hurch or parish of baptism
/ity
-tate or "ro$ince
/ountry
3hat was the (espondent0s religion or denomination at the time of the wedding:
3hat religion or denomination does the (espondent now obser$e or practice:
/urrent parish or congregation
/ity
-tate or "ro$ince /ountry
Is there any .astern (ite )/atholic or 4rthodo2* affiliation in your family background )e.g., Byzantine, Ruthenian,
Ukrainian, Maronite, Armenian, Greek, yrian or other*: If yes, which:
evised ,-.,-,/.0
(ourtship ) "eddin*
.2act date of the wedding in #uestion (mm<dd<yyyy)
The marriage was performed < witnessed by a /atholic priest or deacon 4ther religious official /i$il official
4ther )indicate by whom*
Name of priest, minister, or officiant
/hurch or place of marriage
Address
/ity -tate or "ro$ince 7I"
/ountry
3here was the ci$il marriage license obtained: /ounty
If appropriate, /ountry
-tate or "ro$ince

If a ci$il marriage preceded the church wedding, 5ate of con$alidation or =blessing> (mm<dd<yyyy)
Name of church or parish
/ity -tate 7I"
/ountry
Name of priest or deacon
3hy did you ha$e your marriage con$alidated at that time:

3as your marriage to the (espondent your first marriage: 3as the (espondent married to anyone "efore you:

I,P)R!*! *)!E- If either you or the Respondent were e&er married to anyone "efore this marriage
(whether a ci&il or a religious wedding), please list information a"out each prior marriage on the following
page(
evised ,-.,-,/.0
Briefly, when and how did you and the (espondent meet: )5ate% * /ircumstances %

8ow long was your courtship before you decided to marry:
3as there a formal engagement period prior to the wedding:
If yes, 5ate of .ngagement 6ength of .ngagement
5id you and the (espondent li$e together )cohabit* prior to the wedding: Yes No
If yes, how long did you li$e together before marriage:
If yes, did this ha$e any effect on your decision to marry: If yes, please e2plain!

3as there a pregnancy or suspicion of a pregnancy prior to this wedding: Yes No
If yes, did this ha$e any effect on your decision to marry: "lease e2plain!

5id you and the (espondent enter into a pre?nuptial agreement: Yes No
!f ye", #$ea"e atta%h a %o#y of the agreement.
evised ,-.,-,/.0
Prior Marria*es +Yours)
If you were married at any time prior to marrying the (espondent, complete the following for each and e$ery marriage%
Marriage
#
Name of Your Spouse Date (mm/dd/yyyy) and
Place of Wedding
(City, State, Country) and
ype of Ceremony! Ci"il
or #eligious
Was t$is
t$e %st
marriage
for your
spouse&
'f applica(le,
Date and
Place of t$is
Spouse)s
Deat$
Was t$is
Marriage
Declared Null
(y t$e Cat$olic
C$urc$&
& Yes
If N4, list @
of prior
marriages%

Yes No
Tribunal location,
case @ or date%


' Yes
If N4, list @
of prior
marriages%

Yes No
Tribunal location,
case @ or date%


+ Yes
If N4, list @
of prior
marriages%

Yes No
Tribunal location,
case @ or date%


If you ha$e Final 5ecrees from another /ourt or Tribunal regarding the nullity<dissolution of any pre$ious marriages, please
attach them to this petition!
+Respondents)
If the (espondent was married at any time prior to marrying you, complete the following for each and e$ery marriage%
Marriage
#
Name of t$eir Spouse Date (mm/dd/yyyy) and
Place of Wedding
(City, State, Country)
Was t$is
t$e first
marriage
for t$eir
spouse&
'f applica(le,
Date and
Place of t$is
Spouse)s
Deat$
Was t$is
Marriage
Declared Null
(y t$e Cat$olic
C$urc$&
& Yes
If N4, list @
of prior
marriages%

Yes No
Tribunal location,
case @ or date, if
known%

' Yes
If N4, list @
of prior
marriages%

Yes No
Tribunal location,
case @ or date, if
known%

+ Yes
If N4, list @
of prior
marriages%

Yes No
Tribunal location,
case @ or date, if
known%

If you ha$e Final 5ecrees from another /ourt or Tribunal regarding the nullity<dissolution of any pre$ious marriages, please
attach them to this petition!
evised ,-.,-,/.0
Separation ) ,i%orce
Appro2imately how long were you married to the (espondent before the final separation:
Number of separations during the marriage Appro2imate date of the first separation
3hat brought about the first separation )briefly*:
Any other separations )briefly*:
3hat brought about the final separation )briefly*:
5ate of final separation A month year
(hildren
8ow many children were born during your marriage to the (espondent:

If there were no children born during the marriage, why not:
8ow many children did you adopt during your marriage to the (espondent:
If any, in what year)s*%
8ow many children are still minors today:
3ho now has legal custody of the children:
8a$e you been fulfilling your obligations of $isitation<custody of the children:
8as the (espondent been fulfilling the obligations of $isitation<custody of the children:
Are you obligated to pay child and<or spousal support assessed by the ci$il courts: Yes No
Are these being met: Yes No
Is the (espondent obligated to pay child and<or spousal support assessed by the ci$il courts: Yes No
Are these being met: Yes No
Is there any ongoing or pending litigation in the ci$il /ourts between you and the (espondent: Yes No
If yes, please briefly describe%
Is there a current protection?from?abuse order, restraining order, or similar court order in effect between you and the
(espondent: Yes No! 3as there e$er such an order: Yes No!
If yes, which one:
"lease describe the e$ents that led up to it%
evised ,-.,-,/.0
5ate of the ci$il di$orce A month day year
3as it a 5i$orce or /i$il Annulment
4n what grounds was the suit for di$orce<annulment
brought:
/ounty -tate
)or, if applicable, country*
Name of /ourt which granted the di$orce<annulment
3ho applied for the di$orce<annulment% I did The (espondent did
Your (urrent Status
3hat is your current marital status: -ingle .ngaged /i$illy (emarried
'f you are remarried or engaged& Full Name of your current or intended spouse%
Title%

First Name%

Middle%

6ast Name%

Family name Male
Female
-treet Address
/ity -tate 7I" /ountry
(eligion of current or intended spouse%

5ate of Birth (mm<dd<yyyy)&

If not /atholic, are either you or your current < intended spouse enrolled in a /atholic (/IA )Rite of Chri"tian !nitiation
of Adu$t"* "rogram: Yes No
If yes, in which parish:
/ity -tate
If /hristian, what is the date of your current<intended spouse0s
Baptism:
5id your current<intended spouse e$er change religions:

Is this your only marriage since your marriage to the (espondent: Yes No
3as your current or intended spouse e$er married before )in either a ci$il or religious ceremony*:
I,P)R!*! *)!E- If your intended spouse has any prior marriages, please "e certain to inform
the !ri"unal of this fact( If neither party is free to marry, no wedding can ta'e place in the Catholic
Church(
evised ,-.,-,/.0
Section &
Your -fforts to .ocate Your Former Spouse
If you are una"le to pro&ide the !ri"unal with a complete current address for the Respondent, please
complete the 2uestions "elow( In some cases it may not "e possi"le to accept the case without this
information(
3)4 ,45! PR)6IDE D)C4,E*!!I)* +)R 11 5ERC0E5 *D I*6E5!I/!I)*5 !!E,P!ED
Full name of the other spouse to the marriage in #uestion%
First Name Middle Name 6ast Name
8as this person e$er been known by another name )for e2ample, a maiden name, an alias, a former name*%
If yes, please list all known aliases or family < former names% 'ate(") when
(ir"t Midd$e La"t name wa" u"ed&


3hen was your last contact with the (espondent in person by phone by mail<e?mail
6ast known address of the (espondent%
-treet
/ity -tate 7I"
If appropriate, country Telephone .mail
3hen was the last date you knew the (espondent to be at the abo$e address:
6ast known telephone number 0 1 8ome 3ork /ell
6ast known employment% company or employer
-treet Address
/ity -tate 7I"
If you had children, please e2plain why one of these could not pro$ide you with current contact information for the
(espondent%
Addresses of relati$es of the (espondent who could be contacted to forward correspondence%
Please list in detail what efforts you ha&e made to locate the Respondent7s current address-
B /ities<Towns for which you looked in telephone books )a$ailable at libraries* or called 5irectory Assistance%

5ate last checked
B Names and contact information for Attorneys, in$estigators or other professionals you contacted for help%

B Names and contact information for mutual friends, in?laws, former neighbors, co?workers, etc!, you contacted%

B 4n?line search engines C paid ser$ices you used to try to locate the (espondent )gi$e web addresses, print and attach
your results*
B 4ther efforts you made, and when
evised ,-.,-,/.0
Section /
Preparation of Your Petition
The following pages contain se$eral brief #uestions, which will help the Tribunal to propose grounds for nullity!
These #uestions may also guide you in your understanding of possible grounds! "lease answer these #uestions in
the brief space pro$ided below! The Tribunal Dudges will determine the actual ground)s* for the case, usually after
hearing from the (espondent, and will then inform you!
"lease remember that it is not necessary to go into detail in answering the following #uestions! These are
preliminary #uestions only, and you will ha$e the opportunity later to gi$e in?depth answers to #uestions rele$ant to
your case before a Dudge!
Please remem"er- if your marriage was later con&alidated or 8"lessed9 in the Catholic Church, these
2uestions refer to the time of that con&alidation or 8"lessing,9 and not to the ci&il wedding(
Courtship and Decision to ,arry
3hen and how did you and the (espondent meet:
Briefly, what else was happening in your life at the time you met the (espondent:
Briefly, what else was happening in the (espondent0s life at the time you met:
3ho brought up the topic of marriage, and under what circumstances:
evised ,-.,-,/.0
5id anything specific, or anything unusual, occur that prompted your decision to marry:
3as there any pressure to marry on either party: Yes No! If so, please e2plain%
8ow did the engagement occur:
3as the engagement e$er cancelled or broken: Yes No! If yes, briefly e2plain the circumstances, and how and why
you reconciled%
3as there any force used or fear instilled )internal or e2ternal* to marry the (espondent: For the (espondent to marry you:
"lease e2plain!

3our Concept of ,arriage Itself
At the time of your marriage, did you en$ision any e$ent or circumstance that would allow you to end the marriage and enter
another marriage: Yes No! "lease e2plain your answer%
To your knowledge did the (espondent en$ision any such e$ent or circumstance: Yes No! "lease e2plain your
answer%
evised ,-.,-,/.0
"rior to this marriage, what was your e2perience of di$orce among family and friends:
3hat was the (espondent0s e2perience:
5o you belie$e that you and the (espondent shared the same notion of marriage at the time of the wedding: Yes No!
"lease e2plain your answer%
"lease complete the following, as you would ha$e at the time of your marriage%
Marriage ,ntil 5eath 5o ,s "art> meansE
Before the wedding, what had you and the (espondent discussed and decided about ha$ing children in the marriage:
5id you both share the same ideas and decisions about ha$ing children in the marriage: Yes No!

"lease e2plain your answer%
5id either you or your former spouse reser$e the right to determine when<if to attempt to ha$e children:
evised ,-.,-,/.0
5id either of you place conditions on when to attempt to ha$e children )e!g!, if the marriage is successful, if a certain financial
stability is reached, if a certain career goal is attained*: "lease e2plain!
5id you make a plan regarding the delaying of children through the use of birth control or some form of sterili9ation: If so,
what was the plan: 3as it carried out: 3ho used birth control and for how long: 3ho had the sterili9ation:

6eading up to the wedding, was either of you se2ually acti$e with someone else: Yes No!
If yes, please e2plain%
3as infidelity a problem in your marriage to the (espondent: Yes No!
If yes, by which spouse, or both:
If either or both were unfaithful, please answer the following%
3hat was the act:
3hen did the first act of infidelity occur:
3as infidelity a continuing problem: Yes No! If yes, please elaborate!
At the time of the marriage, did you belie$e that infidelity gi$es a spouse the right to end the marriage and enter another:

evised ,-.,-,/.0
/eneral Considerations
"lease e2plain briefly what problems, issues, or factors you belie$e caused this marriage to fail, and when each first
appeared%
3ere you aware of any of the abo$e problems or issues before the wedding: Yes No! If yes, please e2plain why you
did not consider the problem<problems serious at that time, or why you decided to marry ne$ertheless%
3hat would the (espondent say was your role in the problems and breakdown of the marriage:
3hat was the (espondent0s role:
3hen did you stop li$ing together as husband and wife:
3hat led up to the final separation:
5id you disco$er, after the wedding, something rele$ant to the marriage that had been hidden or not disclosed before the
wedding: If yes, please e2plain%
5id you marry for a reason other than marriage itself )for e2ample, a pregnancy, a green card, etc!*: 5id the (espondent:

3as there any condition set prior to the wedding by either you or the (espondent to be fulfilled by either of you after the
wedding: If so, please e2plain!
evised ,-.,-,/.0
Preparin* Your Petition
The ="etition> is at the end of this section! It contains basic information re#uired by /anon 6aw! It contains a section in which
you are asked to write a $ery brief description of why you think the marriage was not $alid and binding from the beginning!
There are a limited number of grounds or legal bases for considering the $alidity of marriage! The following descriptions of the
most common of these grounds may help you to prepare your brief statement! The Tribunal is not concerned with pointing
fingers or finding moral fault with either spouse, but with learning the truth of the marriage! Any basis or circumstance for a
declaration of in$alidity must ha$e e2isted from the $ery beginning of the marriage, that is, on the wedding day )or the day of
con$alidation or =blessing>*! "lease indicate whether or not the following e2isted at that time!
O If at the time of your wedding you did not hold that your marriage would "e an e:clusi&e union; that is one or both
of you considered the marriage =open> or considered it acceptable to ha$e other se2ual partners during your future
marriage, you could write, =an intention against e2clusi$ity!>
O If at the time of the wedding one or "oth of you decided to e:clude the possi"ility of ha&ing children during the
duration of your marriage, or if you and<or the other party mutually or unilaterally decided to postpone ha$ing children
until some indeterminate time or condition was met, or if you always used some means of contraception to pre$ent
pregnancy, you could write, =the e2clusion of children!>
O If there was a pre$marital pregnancy; If the fact or suspicion of a pre?marital pregnancy caused the decision to marry
this might be a factor! 5id you feel pressured to marry because of the pregnancy, whether it was internal pressure or
pressure from someone else: If so, you could write, =pressure to marry because of pregnancy!>
O If at the time of the wedding there were serious pro"lems with addictions;If the problems affected one or both of
you in your decision making ability, or in your ability to function normally, or if they pre$ented one or both of you from
being able to fulfill the basic obligations of marriage, you could write, =alcohol )and<or drug* abuse which pre$ented
fulfilling the basic obligations of marriage,> or =alcohol )and<or drug* abuse which pre$ented sound decision?making at
the time of marriage!> It is important to state when the addiction started! Please note, the use of this ground on
either party will re2uire a psychological<psychiatric e&aluation "y a tri"unal appointed doctor at your
e:pense, to "e paid directly to the doctor (appro:( =>??$=%@?)(
O If psychological<psychiatric illness affected the party(ies) or marriage; A person must be capable of li$ing out the
commitment of marriage, including being a spouse and a parent, e$en with illness! If serious psychiatric illness
pre$ented either you or your former spouse from understanding or fulfilling the basic obligations of marriage, you
could write, =serious psychiatric or psychological illness which pre$ented the fulfillment of the basic obligations of
marriage!> Please note, the use of this ground on either party will re2uire a psychological<psychiatric
e&aluation "y a tri"unal appointed doctor at your e:pense, to "e paid directly to the doctor (appro:( =>??$
=%@?)( 4ther medical proofs may also be necessary!
O If fraud led to the marriage; If you or your former spouse had been told a lie in order to con$ince you to marry, or if
something important was intentionally concealed in order to get you to marry, you could write, =fraud intended to lead
to marriage!>
O If at the time of your marriage, you or your former spouse did not hold that your marriage was 8until death9; If in
fact you or your former spouse e2cluded from your marriage all probability of marital permanence, you can write,
=e2clusion of the permanence of marriage!>
O If homose:uality was an issue in the marriage; 8omose2uality is not a ground of in$alidity in itself, but confusion o$er
se2uality and self?image can pre$ent or interfere with the marital relationship and marital intimacy! If this was a factor
in the marriage, you could write, =inability to fulfill the obligations of a )husband<wife* because of homose2uality!> It is
evised ,-.,-,/.0
important to include whether homose2ual feelings or confusion e2isted prior to the marriage, how soon into the
marriage this became a problem, and whether the marriage ended principally because of homose2uality!
O If you did not intend to marry at all; -ometimes a couple will go through a legal or religious marriage ceremony for a
reason connected with immigration, insurance, or finances, and not out of the idea of marriage itself! In other words,
they were pretending to marry! If such was the case in this marriage, you could write, =simulation of marriage for
reasons of )immigration<insurance<FFFFFF*!>
O If one or "oth of you entered this marriage against your will; If either spouse, or both, did not agree to marry freely
but because of some force, or out of fear )e$en a deep?seated fear of displeasing someone important to you such as
a parent or clergyman*, you could write, =force )or fear* to enter marriage!> This might apply also if the marriage was
arranged )as happens in some cultures* and you or your spouse did not want to marry!
O Error of person or error 2uality principally and directly intended; If your former spouse falsified his or her identity at
the time of marriage, such that you thought you were marrying a different person, you could write, =error of person!>
If in choosing to marry your former spouse you were actually focused primarily on some #uality that you thought the
other had )i!e!, she is a doctor, he is a $egetarian*, but later disco$ered that he or she was not, and you or the
Respondent desired that 2uality more than marriage itself, you could write, =error principally and directly
intended,> also indicating the #uality about which you were in error!
O Condition; If you placed any condition on the marriageAeither concerning the past, present or future, you could write,
=past<present<future condition,> also indicating what the condition concerned and whether or not the condition was
actually fulfilled!
Please "e ad&ised that the following are *)! grounds for in&alidity- immaturity, incompati"ility, lac' of
communication, infirmity after the fact, later onset addictions, infidelity, wrong choice of spouse, or post$
marital trauma (e(g(, the death of a child)(
evised ,-.,-,/.0
Petition
$e ri(unal *ill normally send a copy of t$is Petition page to t$e #espondent *$en t$e trial (egins+
PE!I!I)*ER
Your full name )Family name also, if applicable*

RE5P)*DE*!
Full name of spouse to this marriage )Family Name*

Address )street, city, state, 9ip*

/ity of (esidence )(espondent*

I hereb$ re0uest that the Metropolitan Tribunal of the Archdiocese of New York accept this
petition to pronounce# accordin* to the (anon .aw of the (atholic (hurch# that the marria*e
between the spouses named abo%e was not %alid!
T*e +,rri,-e (.onv,li/,tion) took 0l,.e on t*e 1ollowin- /,te ,n/ ,t t*e 1ollowin- 0l,.e2
5ate )mm<dd<yyyy*

/ity, -tate, and /ountry

)Arch*diocese

/hurch Name and Address

$n +,kin- t*is 0etition, $ .onten/ t*,t t*e +,rri,-e w,s inv,li/ 1or t*e re,son(s) .ont,ine/ in +3
,00li.,tion ,n/ ,s su++,ri4e/ 5elow6
(You MUST 1) include a very brief explanation of why you chose the ground(s)
2) indicate the party on which the ground(s) you allege apply yourself! your for"er spouse or both)

"ITN-SS-S1 I name the followin* witnesses who are knowled*eable about the abo%e
*round+s2 and who are willin* to appear and offer sworn testimon$- (!his ,45! "e completed()
& '
+ 1
G

"i-n,ture 7,te
For Tribunal 3se1
Date Recei&ed
evised ,-.,-,/.0
Section 4
"itnesses
It is a"solutely necessary to pro&ide the names and complete addresses of se&eral witnesses who can support the
grounds of your case( 3itnesses will be cited during the trial to appear in person before a udge to testify about their
knowledge of the marriage! You will ha$e to coordinate 3itnesses so that their inter$iews are on the same day as your own
inter$iew with the Dudge! 3itnesses who do not li$e within the Archdiocese will be gi$en the opportunity to pro$ide testimony
in the Tribunal of their local diocese! *either 8telephone testimony9 nor written statements are permitted to ta'e the
place of oral testimony( It is best to name at least four witnesses! The best witnesses are friends, co?workers, family
members, roommates, or others who knew both you and the (espondent before and during the marriage! You must contact
your witnesses and inform them that you ha$e gi$en their names and addresses to the Tribunal! If you do not first contact
them they may be surprised and e$en angered when they hear from the Tribunal, and their refusal to answer #uestions will
seriously delay or affect the outcome of your case! "lease contact your witnesses personally and ask them to assist you!
#
Title%

First Name%

Middle%

6ast Name%

-treet Address
/ity%

-tate%

7ip%

/ountry%

Telephone @0 1 Hender 8ow long has this person known you:
(elationship to you
(elationship to the (espondent
5id this person know both you and the (espondent at the time of the marriage: Yes No
3hat will this person be able to tell the Tribunal, in general terms:
5id this person agree to be a witness and to testify at the Tribunal 4ffice:
A
Title%

First Name%

Middle%

6ast Name%

-treet Address
/ity%

-tate%

7ip%

/ountry%

Telephone @0 1 Hender 8ow long has this person known you:
(elationship to you
(elationship to the (espondent
5id this person know both you and the (espondent at the time of the marriage: Yes No
3hat will this person be able to tell the Tribunal, in general terms:
5id this person agree to be a witness and to testify at the Tribunal 4ffice:
evised ,-.,-,/.0
"itnesses (.ontinue/)
>
Title%

First Name%

Middle%

6ast Name%

-treet Address
/ity%

-tate%

7ip%

/ountry%

Telephone @0 1 Hender 8ow long has this person known you:
(elationship to you
(elationship to the (espondent
5id this person know both you and the (espondent at the time of the marriage: Yes No
3hat will this person be able to tell the Tribunal, in general terms:
5id this person agree to be a witness and to testify at the Tribunal 4ffice:
%
Title%

First Name%

Middle%

6ast Name%

-treet Address
/ity%

-tate%

7ip %

/ountry%

Telephone @0 1 Hender 8ow long has this person known you:
(elationship to you
(elationship to the (espondent
5id this person know both you and the (espondent at the time of the marriage: Yes No
3hat will this person be able to tell the Tribunal, in general terms:
5id this person agree to be a witness and to testify at the Tribunal 4ffice:
@
Title%

First Name%

Middle%

6ast Name%

-treet Address
/ity%

-tate%

7ip%

/ountry%

Telephone @0 1 Hender 8ow long has this person known you:
(elationship to you
(elationship to the (espondent
5id this person know both you and the (espondent at the time of the marriage: Yes No
3hat will this person be able to tell the Tribunal, in general terms:
5id this person agree to be a witness and to testify at the Tribunal 4ffice:
evised ,-.,-,/.0
"itnesses (.ontinue/)
Professional or -5pert "itnesses If you saw a "rofessional a"out issues related to your
grounds at any time before or during the marriage, please answer the following%
5id you see a 6icensed /ounselor, "sychologist, "sychiatrist, or /linical -ocial 3orker:
No Yes, I did, without the (espondent Yes, we did together Yes, the (espondent did, without me
5id you see a Medical 5octor or other health professional )about issues related to this marriage* within the past G years:
No Yes, I did, without the (espondent Yes, we did together Yes, the (espondent did, without me
If yes to any of the abo$e, would you be willing to sign a (elease from /onfidentiality Form to allow that person to offer
testimony that is rele$ant to your case )if the Tribunal considers it necessary and helpful to the case*:
P1E5E *)!E !0! I+ !0E RE5P)*DE*! B5 5EE* BI!0 3)4 )R I*DI6ID4113, I! BI11 .E *ECE55R3 +)R !0E
RE5P)*DE*! !) 5I/* RE1E5E *D 4!0)RIC!I)* +)R PR)+E555I)*1 BI!*E55 !) )++ER !E5!I,)*3(
If psychiatric or psychological illness played a role in the problems that e2isted at the time of this marriage, it will be helpful to
the case if you submit certified )notari9ed* copies of any medical or hospital records in your possession which show a
diagnosis and treatment dates! If physical abuse was present in the marriage, it will be helpful to submit certified )notari9ed*
copies of any records in your possession regarding this, such as medical, hospital, or police records! Photocopies of
records, which are not notariDed, will not "e accepted( 4nly original documents or notari9ed copies of the originals will be
accepted by the Tribunal!
Pastor6Parochial 7icar +applicable to (atholics onl$2
If you are /atholic, please arrange to meet with your pastor<associate $icar to discuss the application<petition prior to
submission!
evised ,-.,-,/.0
O I ha$e met with the petitioner and seen the petition!
O I ha$e the following obser$ations%

"i-n,ture 7,te

P,ris*
,E!R)P)1I!* !RI.4*1 E RC0DI)CE5E )+ *EB 3)RF
#?## +irst &enue, *ew 3or', *3 #??AA
(A#A) >G#$#??? E:tension >A??
P,-'CY S./M/N
I, , the Petitioner, understand that-
1 A declaration of nullity cannot be issued unless I ha$e pro$ided e$idence sufficient to o$ercome the
presumption of $alidity of my marriage!
1 My submitting the "etition does not guarantee that a declaration of nullity will be granted!
1 The other party )respondent* has the right to know why I allege our marriage is in$alid and will recei$e a
copy of my "etitionI furthermore, she<he will be in$ited to participate in these proceedings and all his<her
rights will be protected as well as mine, including the right to inspect the Acts of the case )declarations,
testimonies, etc!*
1 I cannot set )e$en tentati$ely* a date for marriage or $alidation in the /atholic /hurch until the nullity of the
pre$ious marriage<s has<ha$e been established with certainty according to the laws of the /hurch!
1 I understand that no assurance of the outcome or the time it will take to complete the process can be gi$en!
1 I understand that if there is a udgment granting the declaration of nullity, it may contain a clause delaying
or restricting permission to remarry in the /hurch!
I here"y certify that-
1 I ha$e contacted the witnesses whose names and addresses I ha$e supplied, and they agree to participate!
1 I understand that I am not to discuss the facts of my case with them!
1 I ha$e kept a photocopy of the materials I am submitting!
nd I swear to the truthfulness of the e&idence I am su"mitting(
-ignature% 5ate%
evised ,-.,-,/.0
(hecklist
The following are (.J,I(.5 in order to submit your case! If you cannot obtain one of the following
documents, please indicate on a separate sheet of paper what unsuccessful efforts you made or why the
information is not a$ailable! If any of the following are missing, your application will "e returned!
OO(ompleted Petitioner8s Information Form +no blank spaces2 in black or
blue ink
OOSi*ned and ,ated Polic$ Statement with ori*inal si*nature
OOSi*ned and ,ated Petition Form with ori*inal si*nature
OOApplication Fee +non refundable2 1
91:: check# pa$able to the Metropolitan Tribunal, rchdiocese of !Y
The followin* ,ocuments1

OO A! ;ri*inal updated Marria*e (ertificate +(hurch2 for the marria*e in 0uestion
O <! ;ri*inal Marria*e .icense and6or (ertificate +State2 for the marria*e in
0uestion +.on* form onl$# see ne5t & pa*es2
OO,i%orce and6or (i%il Annulment ,ecree for the marria*e in 0uestion
OO;ri*inal updated +issued within the past si5 months2 <aptismal (ertificate of
Petitioner +if applicable2! A cop$ "I.. N;T be accepted!
Please make and retain a cop$ of all forms and documents!
1isted "elow are the fees for formal cases heard before the Metropolitan Tribunal of the Archdiocese of New York%
= #?? pplication fee )non?refundable* to "e paid when an application is su"mitted
=#,#?? dministrati&e fee to be paid according to a mutually agreed upon installment planI this fee represents only a portion of
the costs incurred! If your finances change and you wish to alter your payment plan, call the Tribunal! *o one is e&er
turned away from the !ri"unal "ecause of an ina"ility to pay(
=#,A?? !)!1 D4E to ,etropolitan !ri"unal
=#@? ppellate Court dministrati&e fee for all affirmati$e decisions as well as negati$e decisions which are appealedI
this fee will be in$oiced by the appellate court when it recei$es the case!
Please indicate how you will pay the =#,#?? administrati&e fee (does *)! include the =#?? application fee)
)ne (#) payment of =#,#??(
!wo (A) installments- =@@? when the case is accepted and =@@? when testimony has "een collected(
!en (#?) monthly installments of =##? each, paya"le the first day of the month (starting ne:t month)(
evised ,-.,-,/.0
monthly installments of = each, paya"le the day of the month(
evised ,-.,-,/.0
-,N0 1,#M
(ccepta"le)
evised ,-.,-,/.0
S2,# 1,#M
(*ot accepta"le)
evised ,-.,-,/.0
S2,# 1,#M
(*ot accepta"le)
evised ,-.,-,/.0