The Chancellor oversees the diocesan archives and ensures the authenticity of official acts of the Bishop and his delegates. He also assists the Bishop with the granting of dispensations and permissions for marriage and in preparing Letters of Suitability for priests and deacons.


Alabama Marriage Law and Diocesan Policy

In 2019, the State of Alabama changed its laws om what it requres to recognize a civil marriage. In response to the change in the law, the diocese issued an explanation regarding the new law and how it affects the procedures for the solemnization of marriages in the Church. A copy of this is located here: Alabama Marriage Law and Diocesan Marriage Procedures

Diocese of Birmingham Marriage Policy

The Diocese of Birmingham's marriage policy can be found here: Diocesan Marriage Policy


Letters of Good Standing 
 
Most dioceses and shrines require that a priest or deacon have a letter of good standing sent in advance of their arrival, if they plan to assist at the sacraments there. Some dioceses also restrict priestly faculties – they must be requested (apart from emergencies). Therefore, it is always a good idea to request a letter of good standing before a trip.

Please email any Letter of Good Standing requests to: fatherjerabek@bhmdiocese.org.

Please do not wait until the last minute. We understand that sometimes urgent situations arise, such as funerals. 

• Information needed:
  • Diocese or shrine you are traveling to
  • what you will be doing there in terms of ministry (wedding, celebrating Mass, hearing confessions, going on retreat, etc.)
  • dates that you will be there

Marriage Permissions and Dispensations 
 
Please download the new form, which is available below. This is a “fillable PDF”, so you can type in your responses before printing, if you wish. Unfortunately, MANY forms arrive incomplete, so please try to filling out this newer, streamlined form completely!

Diocesan Marriage Policy directs that those who prepare couples for marriage should meet with a couple at least six months before the marriage, yet many dispensation request forms come in at the last minute. It is important that the forms be sent in as early as possible in the marriage preparation process. 

Freedom to Marry Affidavit or Questionnaire (Fillable PDF)
Request for Rescript of Permission or Dispensation for Marriage (Fillable PDF)

Diocese of Birmingham Pre-Nuptial Investigation Form – 8.5x11” printing format
Diocese of Birmingham Pre-Nuptial Investigation Form – 11x17” printing format


Transfer of Marriage Files OUT of the Diocese 
 
For couples who have undergone marriage preparation in this diocese, but who will be celebrating their wedding outside the Diocese of Birmingham, their marriage file must pass through the Chancellor’s Office. The Chancellor then forwards it to the Chancellor of the diocese where the marriage is taking place with the appropriate permissions (Nihil Obstat), then they forward it to the Catholic church or chapel of the wedding. To assist in having the files sent to the diocese where the marriage is being celebrated, please follow the following steps:

• Request any dispensations or permissions in advance, so that you can insert the rescript in the wedding file
• Keep a COPY of the complete file in the parish’s marriage files. 
• Send the ORIGINAL, COMPLETE marriage file to the Chancellor’s Office AT LEAST six (6) to eight (8) weeks before the wedding
• Include a cover letter saying where the marriage is to take place, giving permission for it to be celebrated there, naming who the celebrant will be, and indicating that you have done the required marriage preparation. 
• We will then do our own cover letter/permission and forward the file to the place. If it is out of the country, we will send it by FedEx
• PLEASE NOTE: If the marriage is taking place at a non-Catholic location (with a dispensation from canonical form), the marriage must be recorded in the parish where the marriage preparation happened.