My fiance is German, and was previously married in Germany (he was very young) He has been divorced for the past 6 years, and we are planning to marry next April. My priest now tells me that his annulment has to be conducted by Germany. Does anyone know how long it takes to get an annulment in Germany??

Does anyone else know of anything that will speed up an annulment?

PS - He also want's to become catholic.

thanks Bridget

-- bridget (bmdillon2000@yahoo.com), July 23, 2003

Answers

Where does your fiance live?

I hate to differ with your priest, but a tribunal can excercise jurisdiction if a person resides in their geographical area. But, it may be very difficult, because of having to contact witnesses, etc.

Good luck and God bless,

-- john placette (jplacette@catholic.org), July 23, 2003.

John is only partially right. The annullment could be handled here if either, a.) your fiance's ex was also here in the US; or b.) if the JV of the ex's diocese had no objections. However, in either case (and as John says) if most of the proofs and witnesses are in Germany it might be better to just have it done there. If only to save the time it would take to translate everything.

I know a judge from the tribunal in Munich. From what she says the tribunals over there work just about as quickly, if not a little more, than ours here.

Hope that's helpful.

-- Fr. Michael Skrocki, JCL (abounamike@aol.com), July 25, 2003.