Forms and Parish Documents

Gulf Atlantic Diocese - small Marriage Forms

A few cases have come up where various clergy have asked about canonical changes regarding officiating at services of Holy Matrimony. Please see ACNA Canon II.7 (Of Christian Marriage, p. 10) for requirements for clergy to perform marriages. Key highlights include:

  • Both parties must be baptized Christians. If not, you must ask +Neil for an exception.
  • Clergy shall provide counsel on Holy Matrimony with respect to theological and social implications and responsibilities.
  • If either party is divorced, you must ask +Neil for approval to perform the marriage, explaining the circumstances.
  • Both parties must sign a specified declaration.
  • You must record the marriage in the Parish register, signed by clergy, both parties and two at least two witnesses.

To facilitate this process, the following documents are posted on the GAD website for your use as needed:

  1. The specified Declaration of Intention (PDF 24k)

     
  2. The Petition to Bishop for Consent (PDF 23k) to seek his permission to perform the marriage if either party has been divorced

     
  3. The Record of Marriage (PDF 53k), a form to be forwarded to the bishop after the service, for marriages where he had to give permission

Gulf Atlantic Diocese - small Parish Documents

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