How to Get Married in the Catholic Church in the Archdiocese of Boston (2026 Checklist)

The short answer

To get married in the Catholic Church in the Archdiocese of Boston, contact your parish priest, deacon, or marriage coordinator soon after you get engaged, ideally 9 to 12 months before your wedding. The Archdiocese's Eight Steps for Engaged Couples start with that meeting. You will each need a newly issued baptismal certificate, sworn statements that you are free to marry, a premarital inventory, the Archdiocese's Transformed in Love marriage preparation, and a Massachusetts marriage license, which you pick up after a three-day wait and must use within 60 days.

If only one of you is Catholic, you can still marry in the Church. Under canon law, a baptized Christian partner needs permission for a mixed marriage, and an unbaptized partner needs a dispensation from disparity of worship. If either of you was married before, the Church must first confirm that the earlier marriage is null or dissolved, and no wedding date can be set until it does.

Marriage is a sacrament and a vocation, not just a ceremony. The paperwork below exists so the Church can confirm you are both free to marry and ready to make vows for life.

What makes a Catholic marriage valid

Every requirement in this checklist serves four conditions the Church holds for a valid marriage, everywhere in the world:

• You are both free to marry. Neither of you is bound by a prior marriage or another impediment (canon 1085).
• You both consent freely. No one is pressuring or forcing either of you.
• You both intend marriage as the Church understands it: for life, faithful to one another, and open to children. At the wedding, the priest or deacon asks you about each of these before your vows.
• You exchange consent in the proper form: before a properly authorized priest or deacon and two witnesses (canon 1108). Any exception, such as a different officiant or place, needs the bishop's approval.

A marriage between two baptized people is a sacrament. A marriage between a Catholic and an unbaptized person can be valid and holy, but it is not a sacrament.

When can we get married?

Church law allows weddings on most days of the year. They are avoided altogether only on Good Friday and Holy Saturday. Some dioceses and parishes do not schedule weddings on Sundays, holy days, or during Lent, so confirm your date with your parish before you book anything else.

Timeline: how far in advance to start

Canon law requires that, before any wedding, "it must be evident that nothing stands in the way of its valid and licit celebration" (canon 1066). The Archdiocese of Boston asks couples to contact their parish soon after getting engaged. It does not publish a minimum notice period online, so ask your parish for its timeline. Contact your parish before booking a reception venue.

1. 9 to 12 months out: meet with your parish. Meet your priest, deacon, or marriage coordinator to begin the preliminary paperwork, confirm you are both free to marry, and reserve the church date. If you are marrying outside the Archdiocese, contact that parish first.
2. Soon after: take a premarital inventory. Each of you completes a questionnaire separately. If your parish does not provide one, the Archdiocese points couples to the free Dynamic Catholic Better Together Inventory.
3. 6 to 12 months out: meet a mentor couple and register for Transformed in Love. Workshops fill up, so book early.
4. About 6 months out: gather documents. Request new baptismal certificates and line up the witnesses your parish asks for.
5. 2 to 4 months out: permissions, Confession, and liturgy. Your priest or deacon requests any mixed-marriage permission or dispensation. The Archdiocese encourages Confession before the wedding and a second meeting with your priest or deacon to finish paperwork and plan the liturgy.
6. Within 60 days of the wedding: get your marriage license. File your marriage intention, wait three days, and use the license within 60 days. Bring it to your parish before the wedding.
7. After the wedding. Your marriage is recorded in the parish register, and each of your baptismal churches is notified so it can be noted on your baptismal record.

Checklist: if you are both Catholic

These steps follow the Archdiocese's Eight Steps for Engaged Couples and canon law. Your parish gathers the paperwork with you at your first meeting. Everything in the later checklists builds on this one.

Sacramental records (each of you)

• Baptismal certificate, newly issued. Request a new copy from the parish where you were baptized, not the one you were given as a child. Its notations record Confirmation and any prior marriage, which is how the Church confirms you are free to marry. Ask your parish how recently it must be dated.
• Confirmation record, if it is not noted on the baptismal certificate.
• Not confirmed yet? Canon 1065 says Catholics are to receive Confirmation before marriage "if it can be done without grave inconvenience." Tell your priest early. It is usually not a barrier to setting a date.

Freedom to marry

• Witness statements. Your parish will ask for sworn statements from people who know you that you are free to marry. Ask who can serve as your witnesses.
• Prenuptial interview. You meet with the priest or deacon, who confirms you are marrying freely and intend a permanent, faithful marriage open to children.

Preparation

• Premarital inventory, completed by each of you separately.
• Mentor couple meeting at your parish or collaborative.
• Transformed in Love certificate (see below).
• Natural family planning. The Archdiocese asks engaged couples to learn about fertility awareness and natural family planning.

Civil and logistics

• Massachusetts marriage license, valid for 60 days.
• Liturgy planning. When both of you are Catholic, the wedding is normally celebrated within Mass.

Checklist: if one of you is Catholic and the other is a baptized Christian

A Catholic marrying a baptized Protestant, Orthodox, or other Christian is a mixed marriage. It is valid and sacramental. Canon 1124 requires the "express permission of the competent authority." The Archdiocese does not publish its mixed-marriage form online, so your priest or deacon handles the request.

Complete everything in the both-Catholic checklist, plus:

• Baptismal certificate from the non-Catholic partner's church, if at all possible. If the baptism is in doubt, tell your priest; the case may need to be handled as disparity of worship (next section).
• Permission for a mixed marriage. Under canon 1125, the Catholic declares they will remove dangers of falling away from the faith and promises to do all in their power to have the children baptized and raised Catholic. The non-Catholic partner is informed of these promises but makes no promise themselves. Both of you are instructed on the purposes and essential properties of marriage.
• The rite. A mixed marriage ordinarily takes place outside of Mass, so that one spouse is not left unable to receive Communion. A Nuptial Mass is possible only with the bishop's permission, and Communion is not given to the non-Catholic spouse.
• One wedding, not two. Canon 1127 forbids a second religious ceremony to give or renew consent, before or after the Catholic one. It also forbids a joint service in which the Catholic and non-Catholic ministers each ask for your vows using their own rites.
• The other partner's minister (optional). Ask your priest how a non-Catholic minister can take part. The Catholic priest or deacon receives your vows.
• Want the wedding in the other partner's church? Under canon 1127, that requires a dispensation from canonical form, which the local bishop can grant when there are grave difficulties in observing the form. Ask early, since the request goes to the Archdiocese.

Checklist: if one of you is Catholic and the other is not baptized

A Catholic marrying someone who was never baptized (for example, someone who is Jewish, Muslim, Hindu, or of no religion) needs a dispensation from the impediment of disparity of worship, also called disparity of cult. Under canon 1086, the marriage is invalid without it. Your priest or deacon requests it from the Archdiocese. The marriage is valid and holy, though not a sacrament.

Complete everything in the both-Catholic checklist, plus:

• No baptismal certificate is needed from the unbaptized partner. They still complete the prenuptial interview, and their witnesses still give statements.
• Petition for a dispensation from disparity of worship, submitted by your priest or deacon. Allow extra time, since it goes to the Archdiocese.
• The Catholic party's promises. Canon 1086 requires the same conditions as a mixed marriage: the Catholic promises to remain faithful and to do all they can to have the children baptized and raised Catholic.
• The rite. The wedding is celebrated outside of Mass, using the rite for marriage between a Catholic and a non-Christian.
• One wedding, not two. The same canon 1127 rule applies here (canon 1129): no second religious ceremony and no blended service with two officiants each receiving your vows.
• Location. Canon 1118 allows this wedding "in a church or in another suitable place." Ask your priest before assuming a non-church venue will be approved.

If either of you was married before, or you are already civilly married

Previously married, Catholic or not. Under canon 1085, a person bound by a prior marriage cannot validly marry, and a civil divorce does not end that bond in the Church's eyes. The earlier marriage must be declared null or dissolved by the Archdiocese's Metropolitan Tribunal first, and no wedding date can be set until the decision is final. This applies even if your fiancé's earlier marriage was between two non-Catholics.

What the Tribunal handles, and what you will need:

• Prior spouse has died: no case is needed. Bring the death certificate.
• Formal declaration of nullity (often called an annulment): most of the Tribunal's cases involve questions of marital nullity. Start by talking with your parish priest or deacon, who can help you begin the petition.
• Other cases, such as a Catholic who married outside the Church or a marriage involving an unbaptized spouse: the Tribunal does not describe these online. Ask your priest or call the Tribunal.

The Tribunal does not post its fees or a typical timeline online. Contact the Metropolitan Tribunal at 617-746-5900 (WhatsApp: 617-746-5912), 66 Brooks Drive, Braintree, MA 02184.

Already civilly married to each other (convalidation). If neither of you has a prior marriage, or any prior marriage has been resolved, the Church can recognize your civil marriage. Under canon 1160, you exchange consent again in the Catholic form. The Archdiocese's convalidation brochure lays out the steps: talk with a priest or deacon, gather your sacramental records and your certificate of civil marriage, possibly complete some marriage enrichment, then make new vows before a member of the clergy and two witnesses, within or outside of Mass. Transformed in Love is open to convalidating couples, and the Archdiocese holds a Celebration of Convalidation at the Cathedral of the Holy Cross (next: February 7, 2027). Questions: Family Life at 617-746-5801 or [email protected], or Canonical Affairs at 617-746-5652.

Marriage preparation (Pre-Cana) options in Boston

Canon 1063 calls every diocese to prepare couples for marriage. The Archdiocese of Boston developed its own program, Transformed in Love, for engaged couples and for civilly married couples seeking convalidation. It covers communication, expectations, the sacrament of matrimony, the rite of marriage, finances, prayer, marital sexuality, and mission.

• Transformed in Love, in person: a two-day workshop, most often at the Pastoral Center in Braintree, with some sessions at parishes and the Paulist Center in Boston. $200 per couple.
• Transformed in Love, virtual mini-series: three evening sessions on Zoom, 6:30 to 9:30 p.m., described as an "alternative, yet equivalent format." $200 per couple, including workbooks and a certificate of completion. Financial assistance is available.
• Transformados en el Amor: the program in Spanish, offered in person at parishes in Framingham and Waltham.
• Vietnamese marriage preparation: offered at Saint Ambrose School in Dorchester.

If your wedding is soon and none of the dates work, the Archdiocese asks you to contact [email protected] for help.

Costs, venues, and your Massachusetts marriage license

Church fees. Fees are set by each parish, not by the Archdiocese, so ask your parish for its schedule early. Most parishes charge a few hundred dollars. Large or landmark churches can charge $2,000 or more. Musicians, flowers, and photography are usually separate. Add $200 for Transformed in Love. If money is tight, talk to your pastor: you do not need to postpone the sacrament because of cost, and the Church does not require expensive flowers, attire, or extras.

Can we get married outdoors or at our venue? Almost never. Canon 1118 says a wedding between two Catholics, or between a Catholic and a baptized Christian, "is to be celebrated in a parish church." Any other place requires the local bishop's permission, which is rarely granted for outdoor or venue ceremonies. A wedding between a Catholic and an unbaptized partner "can be celebrated in a church or in another suitable place," still with approval. Plan the ceremony at the church and the reception at your venue.

Massachusetts marriage license:

• File a marriage intention with any city or town clerk in Massachusetts. It does not have to be where you live or where the wedding will be. Both of you must appear in person (Mass.gov).
• In Boston: book an appointment online with the City of Boston Registry Division, City Hall, Room 213. Walk-ins are not accepted. The fee is $50. Fees in other cities and towns vary.
• Bring valid photo ID and your Social Security number.
• There is a three-day waiting period before you can pick up the license. To skip it, a court must grant a marriage-without-delay waiver.
• The license expires 60 days after you file your intention, and it can be used only in Massachusetts.
• A priest from outside Massachusetts needs state authorization to officiate. The state advises filing the request no more than six weeks before the wedding and expecting it in two to four weeks.

Frequently asked questions

What makes a Catholic marriage valid?

You must both be free to marry, consent freely, and intend a lifelong, faithful marriage open to children. You exchange consent before an authorized priest or deacon and two witnesses, unless the bishop approves an exception.

How far in advance do we need to contact the church in Boston?

The Archdiocese asks couples to contact their parish soon after getting engaged. It does not publish a minimum notice period, so plan on 9 to 12 months to secure your date, gather documents, and finish Transformed in Love.

What documents do we need to get married in the Catholic Church in Boston?

Each Catholic needs a newly issued baptismal certificate with its notations. You also need witness statements that you are free to marry, a prenuptial interview, a premarital inventory, a Transformed in Love certificate, and a Massachusetts marriage license.

Can a Catholic marry a non-Catholic in the Catholic Church?

Yes. A baptized Christian partner needs permission for a mixed marriage. An unbaptized partner needs a dispensation from disparity of worship. In both cases, the Catholic promises to remain faithful and to do all they can to raise the children Catholic.

Do I have to be confirmed to get married in the Catholic Church?

Canon law asks Catholics to receive Confirmation before marriage if it can be done without grave inconvenience. Tell your priest early so he can help you prepare.

Can we have a Catholic wedding outdoors in Boston?

Almost never. Weddings between Catholics, or between a Catholic and a baptized Christian, take place in a parish church unless the bishop grants permission, which is rarely given. A wedding with an unbaptized partner may be approved for another suitable place.

How much does a Catholic church wedding cost in Boston?

Fees are set by each parish. Most charge a few hundred dollars, while large or landmark churches can charge $2,000 or more. Add $200 for the Archdiocese's Transformed in Love marriage preparation.

What is Transformed in Love?

It is the Archdiocese of Boston's own marriage preparation program, also called Pre-Cana. Couples attend a two-day in-person workshop or a three-evening Zoom series, and it costs $200 per couple.

How long is the waiting period for a Massachusetts marriage license?

Three days after you file your marriage intention. The license is valid for 60 days and can be used only in Massachusetts.

Is Catholic marriage preparation available in Spanish in Boston?

Yes. The Archdiocese offers Transformados en el Amor, its marriage preparation program in Spanish, at parishes in Framingham and Waltham. A Vietnamese course is also offered in Dorchester.

Planning your Catholic wedding? Cana is built for couples getting married in the Church. Keep this checklist, your registry, and your vendor search in one place.

Sources

Requirements can change. Always confirm with your parish priest or deacon. Last checked October 27, 2026.

• Code of Canon Law, Book IV, Part I, Title VII: Marriage (canons 1055–1165), Holy See
• Family Life Resources: Eight Steps for Engaged Couples, Archdiocese of Boston Secretariat for Evangelization and Discipleship
• Transformed in Love, Archdiocese of Boston Secretariat for Evangelization and Discipleship
• Marriage Prep Virtual Mini-Series, January 2027, Archdiocese of Boston Secretariat for Evangelization and Discipleship
• Family Life events, Archdiocese of Boston Secretariat for Evangelization and Discipleship
• Transformados en el Amor, Archdiocese of Boston
• Convalidation Brochure, Archdiocese of Boston
• Metropolitan Tribunal, Archdiocese of Boston
• Catholic Marriage FAQs, For Your Marriage, United States Conference of Catholic Bishops
• Newsletter, August 2016: The Order of Celebrating Matrimony, USCCB Committee on Divine Worship
• Catholics Dating Non-Catholics, Catholic Answers
• Mass and Disparity-of-Cult Marriages, EWTN (citing the Ecumenical Directory, no. 159)
• Getting Married in Massachusetts: Before the Wedding, Commonwealth of Massachusetts
• How to Get Married in Boston, City of Boston Registry Division