How long does annulment take?

Asked by: Dr. Enrique Hauck II  |  Last update: July 12, 2025
Score: 4.9/5 (43 votes)

How Long Does an Annulment Take? Since every case is different, it's difficult to put a timeline on the annulment process. That said, the most extensive cases can take anywhere from nine to 18 months, while some of the shorter ones take a matter of weeks.

What is the shortest time for annulment?

Your petition for annulment will be processed as soon as it is submitted, but it depends on the court's schedule when it will end. The overall duration to complete it may take six months up to four years, which is a long time, but it allows you to leave your marriage legally.

How long does a typical annulment take?

In most cases, an annulment may be granted within a few months, making it a shorter proceeding than a divorce.

What are the two most common grounds for annulment?

An annulment is a court ruling that a marriage was never valid. The most common ground for annulment is fraud and misrepresentation. For example, one person may not have disclosed to the other a prior divorce, a criminal record, an infectious disease, or an inability to engage in sex or have children.

Is annulment faster than divorce?

In an annulment, a judge will usually return all property, assets, and debts to their original owner without further debate. Typically faster than a divorce, especially in the case of void marriages, which do not require lengthy court hearings.

How Long Does Annulment Take In Catholic Church? - Churches Of Faith

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Why would someone want an annulment instead of a divorce?

If your marriage was invalid, you might prefer an annulment over a divorce for a variety of reasons: Spouses who legally annul their marriage don't usually have to pay alimony or spousal support. The division of property is more straightforward in annulment than in divorce proceedings.

Is cheating grounds for annulment?

It is more difficult to get an annulment than it is to get a divorce. Before your marriage can be annulled by the court, you will be required to prove that you have valid grounds for an annulment. Infidelity is not recognized as one of the grounds for annulment.

What percentage of annulments are denied?

Now, according to Vatican figures, about 50,000 annulments are granted annually by U.S. tribunals _ more than two-thirds of all annulments worldwide _ and less than 10 percent of annulment applications are denied.

What is the disadvantage of annulment?

Disadvantages of an Annulment

Issues or fault are highly probative in an annulment proceeding. Unlike divorce, where fault is not an issue, in an annulment proceeding fault can have a huge impact on how property is split, whether support is issued and how attorney fees are paid. There is no per se community property.

Can one person annul a marriage?

An annulment case can be initiated by either party in a marriage. The party initiating the annulment must prove that they have the grounds to do so, and if it can be proven, the marriage will be considered null and void by the court.

How much is it to get a marriage annulment?

Costs are always changing, as are filing fees, but you can often get your marriage annulled for a few hundred to a few thousand dollars.

Do you need both signatures for an annulment?

You Don't Need Both Signatures for an Annulment

You can obtain an annulment without ever getting your spouse's signature. A spouse does not have to participate in the annulment process if they choose not to, although this will likely not help their case.

What happens after annulment?

After the trial, the court will issue a decision. If the judge grants the annulment, the marriage is declared null and void.

How fast is the annulment process?

The process can take anywhere from a few weeks to a few months, on average. The length of the annulment investigation process will primarily depend on how much information you can provide up front.

What's the longest you can be married to get an annulment?

For example, in California, annulment requests should generally be filed within four years for fraud. However, states like Texas may require annulment petitions within a shorter time frame for specific grounds.

Are you still married if you don't consummate?

It's important to understand that the inability to consummate a marriage is considered a valid legal reason to annul a marriage.

Can you remarry without an annulment?

Without an annulment, the Church still views you as married to your former spouse, which prevents you from entering into another sacramental marriage. This is why seeking an annulment is crucial if you wish to remarry within the Catholic Church. Everyone deserves another chance at a life that reflects their faith.

What are good reasons for annulment?

Legal reasons a judge can annul a marriage
  • You were under 18 at the time of the marriage.
  • You were tricked into the marriage (fraud)
  • You didn't have the mental capacity to marry (unsound mind)
  • One of you is physically unable to consummate marriage.
  • One of you is still married to someone who you thought was dead, but isn't.

Is an annulment cheaper than a divorce?

An annulment is usually cheaper than a divorce proceeding. However, this is not sufficient reason to push for an annulment.

Why would an annulment be denied?

At the time of the marriage, either party was already legally married. At the time of the marriage, either party was ruled incapacitated, incapable of making the decision to marry. At the time of the marriage, either spouse was a minor and did not have parental or court permission to marry.

Is infidelity grounds for an annulment?

There is a difference between never intending to be faithful from the beginning of the marriage and an indiscretion, even a serious one, that occurs years into the marriage. An episode of infidelity does not invalidate a marriage or guarantee a declaration of nullity.

Can an annulment be overturned?

Contesting an annulment generally comes down to disagreeing that there are grounds for the nullity of marriage to be issued, and explaining those reasons to the tribunal.

What is the most common ground for annulment?

Here are the most common reasons why spouses seek a marriage annulment: Fraud/misrepresentation: When a spouse lied about important issues relating to the marriage, the other spouse could seek to annul the union.

What happens if you commit adultery while married?

Adultery can be used as grounds for divorce but complicates the proceedings. Infidelity can impact the property division if marital funds were involved in the affair. Alimony can be influenced by adultery in some instances. Child custody is affected by adultery when the affair directly impacts the child.

How do you win an annulment?

You must give a reason why your marriage wasn't legal from the start
  1. One of the spouses is married to another person (bigamy)
  2. You got married when you were under 18 and it wasn't legal to do so.
  3. Your spouse tricked you to get you to agree to marry them.