Welcome to the Tribunal

The members of the Tribunal are appointed by the bishop for the ministry of justice according to the Catholic Church's canon law. Certain violations of church law are adjudicated. The principal responsibility is investigation and decision concerning declaration of invalidity of marriage and dissolution of the marital bond. A Church Decree of Invalidity is a declaration from the Catholic Church that a particular union, presumably begun in good faith and thought by all to be a marriage, was in fact an invalid union. The purpose of such ecclesiastical processes is to serve one's conscience and spirit, to clarify a person's status before the Church regarding marriage, and to reconcile persons to full sacramental participation in the community of the Church.

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Directory

General Information
Case Inquiry & Confidentiality
Catholic Baptismal Records
How to Begin a Marriage Case
Locating Civil Marriage and Divorce Records
Marriage & Divorce Records
Other Tribunals in Michigan
Records Needed for a Case
Tribunal staff and the Code of Canon Law

Types of Marriage Cases
Documentary Cases
Lack of Form and Prior Bond
Pauline Privilege and Privilege of the Faith
Types of Marriage Cases
What Happens in a Formal Case?
Who is Involved in a Formal Case?

Frequently Asked Questions
Are There Civil Effects to a Church Decree of Invalidity or Dissolution?
How Does One Begin the Process?
How Long Does the Entire Process Take?
Is there a fee?
What is a Marriage?
What is the Tribunal?
When is Marriage in the Catholic Church Allowed?