DOCUMENTS 

The Catholic party (or parties) must obtain newly issued baptismal certificates from the Church where you were baptized. A newly issued baptismal certificate is required for the Catholic party only and it must be issued within the past 6 months. Your original certificate that was issued shortly after your baptism will not work for the purpose of getting married. You may obtain this certificate by calling the Church where you were baptized and asking them for a newly issued baptismal certificate with notations.

• For those baptized Christians who are not Catholic, some form of proof of baptism is necessary. A certificate from your Church of baptism (even the one issued at the time of baptism) or a letter from one of your parents or someone who witnessed the baptism are acceptable proofs of baptism.
• Please bring the newly issued copy of your baptismal certificate and/or your proof of baptism with you to the first meeting with the clergy.
• Non-baptized persons do not need any proof of baptism or religious status.

Affidavit of Free Status

• The Affidavit of Free Status is a form which asks one of the parents or another relative of each of you to be a witness to the fact that you are free to marry.
• These two forms (one for the bride and one for the groom) will be given to you at the Marriage Orientation Meeting. Please make sure to bring these completed forms with you to your first meetnig with the clergy.

AFFIDAVIT OF FREE STATUS PDF

Wedding Location Information Form

• If your wedding will be held outside of the Dallas Diocese (including International weddings), please complete the Wedding Location Information form.
• Please print it, and bring it to your first meeting with the clergy.

WEDDING LOCATION INFORMATION FORM PDF
 

Civil Marriage License

• If you are getting married in Texas, you will need a Texas Marriage License and you will need to bring it with you to the last meeting with the clergy.
• This is obtained from any County Clerk in Texas (call 214-653-7131 for information and to find the location nearest you).
• In Texas, there is a 72 hour waiting period before the license may be used, so please do not wait until the week of your wedding to obtain the license. You may obtain the license from any County Courthouse in Texas as far out as 90 days prior to the wedding.
• If you are being married outside of Texas, you must check on the requirements of that state or country, which may vary from the requirements in Texas.
• A wedding ceremony cannot be conducted in any state until you present a valid marriage license.

Letter of Good Standing for Weddings at St. Thomas

• Any priest or deacon from outside the Diocese of Dallas who plans to celebrate or assist with your wedding here at St. Thomas Aquinas must have a current Letter of Good Standing from his Bishop or the Superior of his order.
• This letter must be issued within six weeks of the wedding date and approved by the Chancellor of this Diocese before the ceremony may take place.
• This is a firm policy to which no exceptions can be made.

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