--- title: Null and void, validity and invalidity; what does it all mean? description: Marriage enjoys the favor of the law. Consequently, in doubt, the validity of a marriage must be upheld until the contrary is proven (Code of Canon Law, canon 1060). --- [Skip to content](https://info.aod.org/articles/null-and-void-validity-and-invalidity-what-does-it-all-mean#main-content) English Show submenu for translations ![AOD_Logo_horizontal_FullColor-medium-1.png\]](https://info.aod.org/hs-fs/hubfs/AOD_Logo_horizontal_FullColor-medium-1.png?height=40&name=AOD_Logo_horizontal_FullColor-medium-1.png) - [Default HubSpot Blog](https://detroitcatholicschools-7101042.hs-sites.com/blog) Open main navigation Close main navigation - [Default HubSpot Blog](https://detroitcatholicschools-7101042.hs-sites.com/blog) - English Show submenu for translations - AOD.ORG AOD.ORG Archdiocese of Detroit Knowledge Base - There are no suggestions because the search field is empty. 1. [Knowledge Base](https://info.aod.org/articles?hsLang=en) 2. [Marriage & Family](https://info.aod.org/articles/marriage-family?hsLang=en) 3. [Annulments](https://info.aod.org/articles/marriage-family?hsLang=en#annulments) # Null and void, validity and invalidity; what does it all mean? A declaration of nullity affirms the fact that the sacred bond of marriage was not validly established at the wedding, according to Church teaching and Church law. In other words, the bond of marriage that was presumed to exist, does not, and is considered to be null. A civil union existed, but the sacred bond of marriage was not validly established. In order for a marriage to be properly established, there must be certain requirements present in the individual who consents to marriage at the time of the wedding. If any of these requirements are absent or seriously distorted, a review judge can declare that the act of consenting to marriage was made in an invalid way, therein indicating that the marriage bond has no effect and is null. Church law determines what these requirements are and they will be discussed throughout this information. In summary, a declaration of nullity does not break the marriage bond. A declaration of nullity declares that the marriage bond was never validly established at the time of consent according to Church teaching and Church law. *Marriage enjoys the favor of the law. Consequently, in doubt, the validity of a marriage must be upheld until the contrary is proven (Code of Canon Law, canon 1060).* - [Becoming Catholic](https://info.aod.org/articles/becoming-catholic?hsLang=en) - [Catholic Schools](https://info.aod.org/articles/catholic-schools?hsLang=en#main-content) - [Curriculum Frequently Asked Questions](https://info.aod.org/articles/catholic-schools?hsLang=en#curriculum-frequently-asked-questions) - [CSA](https://info.aod.org/articles/csa?hsLang=en#main-content) - [CSA](https://info.aod.org/articles/csa?hsLang=en#csa) - [CSA en Espanol](https://info.aod.org/articles/csa?hsLang=en#csa-en-espanol) - [Frequently Asked Questions](https://info.aod.org/articles/csa?hsLang=en#frequently-asked-questions) - [Cultural Ministries](https://info.aod.org/articles/cultural-ministries?hsLang=en#main-content) - [Black Catholic Ministry](https://info.aod.org/articles/cultural-ministries?hsLang=en#black-catholic-ministry) - [CYO](https://info.aod.org/articles/cyo?hsLang=en#main-content) - [CYO](https://info.aod.org/articles/cyo?hsLang=en#cyo) - [Development - Mission Advancement](https://info.aod.org/articles/development-mission-advancement?hsLang=en#main-content) - [Ways to Give](https://info.aod.org/articles/development-mission-advancement?hsLang=en#ways-to-give) - [Evangelization](https://info.aod.org/articles/evangelization?hsLang=en#main-content) - [Formation Opportunities](https://info.aod.org/articles/evangelization?hsLang=en#formation-opportunities) - [Catechesis](https://info.aod.org/articles/evangelization?hsLang=en#catechesis) - [Lay Formation and Certification](https://info.aod.org/articles/evangelization?hsLang=en#lay-formation-and-certification) - [RCIA](https://info.aod.org/articles/evangelization?hsLang=en#rcia) - [Young Adults](https://info.aod.org/articles/evangelization?hsLang=en#young-adults) - [Youth Ministry](https://info.aod.org/articles/evangelization?hsLang=en#youth-ministry) - [Evangelical Charity](https://info.aod.org/articles/evangelical-charity?hsLang=en#main-content) - [Walking With Moms in Need](https://info.aod.org/articles/evangelical-charity?hsLang=en#walking-with-moms-in-need) - [Christian Service](https://info.aod.org/articles/evangelical-charity?hsLang=en#christian-service) - [Grief and Loss](https://info.aod.org/articles/evangelical-charity?hsLang=en#grief-and-loss) - [Pro-Life](https://info.aod.org/articles/evangelical-charity?hsLang=en#pro-life) - [Ecumenical and Interfaith Relations](https://info.aod.org/articles/ecumenical-and-interfaith-relations?hsLang=en#main-content) - [Ecumenical and Interfaith Relations](https://info.aod.org/articles/ecumenical-and-interfaith-relations?hsLang=en#ecumenical-and-interfaith-relations) - [Maps & Demographics](https://info.aod.org/articles/maps-demographics?hsLang=en) - [Marriage & Family](https://info.aod.org/articles/marriage-family?hsLang=en#main-content) - [Annulments](https://info.aod.org/articles/marriage-family?hsLang=en#annulments) - [Pornography](https://info.aod.org/articles/marriage-family?hsLang=en#pornography) - [Same Sex Attraction](https://info.aod.org/articles/marriage-family?hsLang=en#same-sex-attraction) - [Separation & Divorce](https://info.aod.org/articles/marriage-family?hsLang=en#separation-divorce) - [Natural Family Planning](https://info.aod.org/articles/natural-family-planning?hsLang=en) - [Parish Care and Sustainability](https://info.aod.org/articles/parish-care-and-sustainability?hsLang=en#main-content) - [Staff and Ministry Resources](https://info.aod.org/articles/parish-care-and-sustainability?hsLang=en#staff-and-ministry-resources) - [Technology](https://info.aod.org/articles/technology?hsLang=en#main-content) - [FAQs](https://info.aod.org/articles/technology?hsLang=en#faqs) - [Sacred Worship](https://info.aod.org/articles/sacred-worship?hsLang=en#main-content) - [Mass](https://info.aod.org/articles/sacred-worship?hsLang=en#mass) - [Special Circumstances](https://info.aod.org/articles/sacred-worship?hsLang=en#special-circumstances) - [RCIA](https://info.aod.org/articles/sacred-worship?hsLang=en#rcia) - [Christian Funerals](https://info.aod.org/articles/sacred-worship?hsLang=en#christian-funerals) - [Lent Questions and Answers](https://info.aod.org/articles/sacred-worship?hsLang=en#lent-questions-and-answers) - [Liturgical Calendar Regulations](https://info.aod.org/articles/sacred-worship?hsLang=en#liturgical-calendar-regulations) - [Differences in Major Religions](https://info.aod.org/articles/sacred-worship?hsLang=en#differences-in-major-religions) - [Sacred Worship](https://info.aod.org/articles/sacred-worship?hsLang=en#sacred-worship) - [Sharing the Light](https://info.aod.org/articles/sharing-the-light?hsLang=en#main-content) - [Mooney Real Estate Holding Company and Parish Incorporations](https://info.aod.org/articles/sharing-the-light?hsLang=en#mooney-real-estate-holding-company-and-parish-incorporations) - [Parish Finances](https://info.aod.org/articles/sharing-the-light?hsLang=en#parish-finances) - [Parishioner Data Management and Privacy](https://info.aod.org/articles/sharing-the-light?hsLang=en#parishioner-data-management-and-privacy) - [Priests' Pension Plan](https://info.aod.org/articles/sharing-the-light?hsLang=en#priests-pension-plan) - [Stewards for Tomorrow/Archdiocese of Detroit Endowment Foundation](https://info.aod.org/articles/sharing-the-light?hsLang=en#stewards-for-tomorrow-archdiocese-of-detroit-endowment-foundation) - [St. John's Plymouth](https://info.aod.org/articles/sharing-the-light?hsLang=en#st-johns-plymouth) - [Synod 16](https://info.aod.org/articles/sharing-the-light?hsLang=en#synod-16) - [Unleash the Gospel](https://info.aod.org/articles/sharing-the-light?hsLang=en#unleash-the-gospel) - [Compartiendo la Luz](https://info.aod.org/articles/sharing-the-light?hsLang=en#compartiendo-la-luz) - [Default HubSpot Blog](https://detroitcatholicschools-7101042.hs-sites.com/blog) [![Chill listening crop-3](https://info.aod.org/hs-fs/hubfs/AOD_Logo_horizontal_FullColor-medium-1.png?width=62&height=24&name=AOD_Logo_horizontal_FullColor-medium-1.png "Chill listening crop-3")](https://www.aod.org) Archdiocese of Detroit Resource Center Copyright © 2026, Archdiocese of Detroit