Office of the Tribunal


The Tribunal functions as a court for the Archdiocese. Although it mainly works with cases for possible annulment of marriage, the Tribunal handles all canonical questions for the priests, deacons, and other coordinators attached to the Archdiocese for the Military Services, USA. It is important to remember that cases for annulment are trials in which a verdict can go either way. These are some of the functions of the Tribunal for the Archdiocese for the Military Services:

  • Questions regarding application of Church (canonical) law
  • Formal annulment cases concerning marriage
  • Documentary cases for nullity of marriage: Lack of Canonical Form; Ligamen (prior bond) are the most common, but there are others
  • Pauline Privilege and Privilege of the Faith (Petrine) cases
  • For new marriages: Dispensation from Disparity of Cult for military subjects wishing to marry non-baptized persons. Permission for Mixed Religion for military subjects wishing to marry validly baptized persons not of the Catholic faith. Dispensation from Form for military subjects who wish to marry outside the Catholic Form for a just reason
  • Transfer of paperwork and documents on behalf of military persons who were prepared for marriage on a military installation, but will have their weddings at a civilian parish
  • Granting of faculties for priests and deacons not having the faculties of the Archdiocese for the Military Services to officiate at administration of Sacraments or celebrate Mass at military installations.
The Tribunal Office endeavors to aid our military personnel, their chaplains, and other persons attached to chapel programs in any way that we are able. We ask that all matters be sent in time sufficient to process them effectively.

  • Tribunal forms may be found in the Forms tab on the home page of this web site.
For full or partial payment for Formal Annulment cases please ask all prospective petitioners to refrain from sending in a check with the initial paperwork/petition. Checks cannot be processed until a case is officially opened. A time estimate for Formal cases cannot be given nor can assurance be guaranteed that the Archdiocese for the Military Services, USA will be the proper Tribunal Court to hold the trial.