Lack of Form

A lack of form case is one in which a Catholic was married civilly or was married in a nonCatholic ceremony without dispensation from the Bishop of the Diocese and the Catholic party did not subsequently validated the marriage in the Church. 

A Catholic is required to observe the canonical form, that is, to marry before a properly delegated Catholic Bishop, priest, or deacon and two witnesses. 

When the canonical form has not been observed and the marriage was not later validated in the Church, the administrative process is used to declare such marriages invalid. 

The purpose of this questionnaire is to help you determine whether you have a lack of form case. 

Were both parties not Catholic at the time of the wedding? YES/NO
Was this marriage celebrated before a properly delegated Catholic priest or deacon? YES/NO
Was a dispensation from observing canonical form granted for this marriage? YES/NO
Was this marriage later validated or recognized by the Catholic Church? YES/NO

If the answers to all the questions are NO, you may have a lack of form case.
If any question was answered YES, you have a case other than lack of form. 
Kindly call the Tribunal at 806-383-2243 for assistance. 

Kindly, download the PETITION FOR A DECLARATION OF FREEDOM TO MARRY BECAUSE OF LACK OF CANONICAL FORM ON THE ATTEMPTED MARRIAGE. 

Complete the Petition and send it to the Ecclesiastical Tribunal of the Diocese of Amarillo with the following documents, namely: 

A Copy of the Baptism Certificate/Profession of Faith for Catholic party or parties (issued within last 6 months).
A Copy of the Marriage Certificate. 
A Copy of the Divorce Decree.