Annulments

How does the Catholic Church regard marriages of non-Catholics?

The Church considers the marriage bond between non-Catholics to be as equally binding as those of Catholics. Like marriages in the Catholic Church, the validity of these marriages is presumed until the contrary is proven. Therefore, the marriage of two non-baptized people is presumed to be valid. The marriage of two Protestant people is presumed to be valid. Finally, the marriage of a Protestant and a non-baptized person is presumed to be valid. Religious decisions regarding the effects of marriage and the possibility of remarriage that are made by other religions or Christian denominations, do not enjoy legal effect in Catholic Church law. People who have received a decision from the relevant authority of another Faith will still need to have a declaration of nullity if they intend to celebrate a marriage in the Catholic Church.