An annulment is a declaration by a tribunal (Catholic Church court) that a marriage previously thought to be valid according to church law actually fell short of at least one of the essential elements required for a binding union. Unlike civil divorce, an annulment does not erase something that was already there.

It is a declaration that a valid marriage was never actually brought about on the wedding day. A declaration of nullity does not deny that a relationship ever existed between the couple, or that the spouses truly loved one another. Each case is unique, but on average, it takes 12 to 18 months to complete.

> Find answers regarding annulments in the Diocese of Greensburg.