Marriage Preparation Guidelines

 Are you marrying a Catholic and unsure what this means for you as a non-Catholic?  Read what couples need to know about  "Getting Married In The Catholic Church" 

DIOCESE OF DALLAS
MARRIAGE PREPARATION GUIDELINES 

• Couple to contact parish six months or more prior to desired wedding or validation date in order to determine freedom to marry, begin marriage preparation process and complete necessary pre nuptial paperwork.

• Engaged couple is required to complete FOCCUS process, participate in and complete diocesan approved preparation such as parish-based mentor couple process or engaged encounter experience, Couple also required to participate in and complete any additional education, skill-building process or workshop required by the parish.

• A couple civilly married for more than one year, registered with state as married by common-law, or one the pastor considers married by common-law is required to participate in and complete a diocesan approved validation preparation process including REFOCCUS.

• Parishes are expected to minster to a couple who resides in parish boundaries.

• Information regarding diocesan marriage ministries may be obtained from diocesan website www.cathdal.org.