Catholic Annulment: 21 Recognized Grounds

Based on the 1983 Code of Canon Law and official Catholic sources

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I. Diriment Impediments

(This type focuses on legal barriers that make a marriage invalid from the start)

1. Age – One or both were below canonical minimum. (One of you was young to marry)

https://catholicqa.org/what-are-the-causes-of-annulment-of-a-marriage/

2. Impotence – Inability to consummate marriage. (Physical incapacity for marital act)

https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Declaration_of_nullity

3. Existing prior marriage (Ligamen) – A previous valid bond still existed. (Already married to someone else)

https://www.catholic.com/magazine/print-edition/what-are-grounds-for-annulment

4. Disparity of cult – One party unbaptized without dispensation. (You have a mixed faith marriage without permission)

https://www.catholic.com/magazine/print-edition/what-are-grounds-for-annulment

5. Holy Orders – One spouse had received sacred orders. (One of you is an ordained priest or deacon)

https://www.catholic.com/magazine/print-edition/what-are-grounds-for-annulment

6. Perpetual public vow of chastity – A religious vow not dispensed. (Bound by celibacy vow)

https://www.catholic.com/magazine/print-edition/what-are-grounds-for-annulment

7. Abduction (Raptus) – Marriage forced through abduction or confinement. (Marriage by kidnapping or coercion)

https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Declaration_of_nullity

8. Consanguinity – Close blood relationship within prohibited degrees. (Too closely related by blood)

https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Declaration_of_nullity

9. Affinity or Public Propriety – Relationships by marriage or adoption. (Related through prior marriage or adoption)

https://catholicqa.org/what-are-the-causes-of-annulment-of-a-marriage/

10. Adoption (juridical kinship) – Legal relationship barring marriage. (Adoptive parent-child bond)

https://catholicqa.org/what-are-the-causes-of-annulment-of-a-marriage/

II. Defects of Consent

11. Lack of sufficient use of reason – Mental incapacity or severe disorder. (One spouse was unable to make rational decision)

https://legalclarity.org/what-is-a-catholic-annulment-and-how-does-it-work/

12. Grave lack of discretion of judgment – Inability to understand marital duties. (One or both spouses didn’t grasp what marriage requires)

https://catholicqa.org/what-are-the-causes-of-annulment-of-a-marriage/

13. Ignorance of marriage’s essential nature – Not knowing what marriage truly is. (One or both spouses didn’t know marriage is lifelong or faithful)

https://www.catholic.com/magazine/print-edition/what-are-grounds-for-annulment

14. Error about the person or an essential quality – Mistaken identity or deception. (One spouse married wrong person or was deceived)

https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Declaration_of_nullity

15. Fraud or deceit – Deliberate concealment affecting consent. (Lied about major issue like fertility or past)

https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Declaration_of_nullity

16. Simulation of consent – Going through the motions without true intent. (Never intended real marriage)

https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Declaration_of_nullity

17. Conditional consent – Consent dependent on future events. (Agreed only if something specific happens)

https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Declaration_of_nullity

18. Force or grave fear – Consent given under coercion or threat. (Married out of fear or pressure)

https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Declaration_of_nullity

19. Exclusion of an essential property – One party rejected fidelity, permanence, or openness to children. (Secretly refused part of marriage vow)

https://www.catholic.com/magazine/print-edition/what-are-grounds-for-annulment

20. Absence of one party or lack of authority – Consent not personally or validly given. (Invalid proxy or no consent)

https://catholicqa.org/what-are-the-causes-of-annulment-of-a-marriage/

III. Defects of Canonical Form

21. Lack of canonical form – Marriage not before a Catholic minister and two witnesses, or dispensation invalid. (Marriage outside Church form)

https://www.catholic.com/qa/what-are-the-grounds-for-an-annulment

Canonical Basis

1983 Code of Canon Law, Canons 1073–1107

Official explanation: https://www.usccb.org/topics/marriage-and-family-life-ministries/annulment

List Generated by A.I. on October 8, 2025

For links to the official divorce or annulment policies of other Christian denominations, go here