Overview
An annulment is a legal or religious determination that a marriage was invalid from the start and therefore never properly existed. It differs from a divorce, which ends a marriage recognized as valid. Annulments are handled both by civil courts and by religious tribunals; each system has its own rules, terminology and consequences. For general information about ecclesiastical procedure see church annulment resources, and for civil law approaches see civil annulment guidance.
Common grounds and characteristics
Grounds for declaring a marriage void or voidable typically focus on defects present at the time of the wedding rather than later events. Frequently cited reasons include lack of valid consent (for example due to fraud or coercion), psychological incapacity, prior existing marriage (bigamy), prohibited degrees of kinship, and failure to observe required formalities or authority. Impotence that prevents conjugal relations can be treated as a canonical impediment in some religious systems.
Procedure and evidence
Processes vary. In religious tribunals a petitioner submits a formal case, offers documentary evidence and witness testimony, and the tribunal examines whether canonical conditions for nullity are met. Civil annulments are brought in court and often require proof of a legal ground recognized by that jurisdiction. Decisions may be appealed. The burden of proof is typically on the person requesting the annulment.
Effects, limitations, and practical matters
When granted, an annulment means the union is treated as never valid for the particular legal or ecclesiastical system that issued the ruling. Children born of the union are generally considered legitimate. Annulment affects eligibility to marry again within the issuing system, though civil remarriage rules depend on local law. Because rules differ widely, parties often need both civil and religious determinations to resolve all legal and sacramental consequences.
History and distinctions
The concept of annulment has long roots in canon and civil law. In many religious traditions the practice evolved to address marriage validity, consent and moral considerations. Modern canonical codes and contemporary family law have codified procedures, while reforms have aimed to increase access and speed. Important distinctions remain between "void" marriages (considered invalid from inception) and "voidable" marriages (valid until annulled).