Catholic Wedding Requirements: Archdiocese of Miami

The short answer

To get married in the Catholic Church in the Archdiocese of Miami, start with your parish at least nine months before the wedding. Complete Fully Engaged and discuss the results with a facilitator in at least three meetings. Your parish will assemble your sacramental records and prenuptial file, establish that you are free to marry, and help you obtain any permissions. You will also need the correct civil marriage license for the ceremony location. Both of you must freely consent to a faithful, lifelong marriage open to children. If one partner is not Catholic, the priest will also explain the Catholic partner’s declaration about faith and promise concerning children’s Catholic baptism and upbringing.

Marriage is a vocation and a lifelong commitment. Preparation gives you time to talk honestly about faith, family, and the promises you will make, while the parish confirms that the wedding can take place.

Start here: official local marriage preparation guidance.

Timeline: how far in advance to start

The starting point is your parish, before a reception booking locks you into a date. For Miami, the published lead-time guidance is at least nine months (recommendation). Miami’s central office recommends nine months even though some parish materials mention a shorter minimum. Use the longer planning window unless your preparing priest gives a different plan.

At engagement — call the parish. Explain where you live, where you want to marry, each person’s baptismal status, and any previous marriages. Ask when a date can be reserved.
Early in preparation — agree your formation plan. Book the inventory, mentoring, course, or retreat your parish assigns. Some programs require more than one session.
During preparation — assemble the file. Order records in the parish’s required issue-date window. Arrange witness statements and any permission requests; avoid ordering a certificate so early that it becomes outdated.
Before the final parish deadline — finish preparation and liturgy planning. Submit completion certificates, resolve outstanding paperwork, and confirm music, readings, rehearsal, and visiting-clergy arrangements.
Inside the civil-license window — apply to the correct office. Leave time for any legal wait and the parish’s delivery deadline; the church file and civil license are separate tasks.
Wedding day and afterward. Confirm who completes and returns the civil license and records the marriage with the parish. Keep your certified civil record and church record information.

Checklist: if you are both Catholic

Use this as a working checklist with your priest or deacon. Items described as parish examples apply to that parish; ask your preparing parish which forms and deadlines it uses.

The marriage itself: consent, fidelity, permanence, and children

☐ Confirm that each of you is free to marry and gives consent freely. Disclose prior marriages and any other possible impediments to the priest; consent cannot be forced.
☐ Understand and intend marriage as an exclusive, lifelong union of a man and a woman, ordered to the good of both spouses and welcoming children. Neither partner may deliberately exclude an essential element or property of marriage when consenting.
☐ Discuss openness to children, parenthood, and Catholic teaching on marital sexuality. An intention to exclude children is different from infertility: inability to conceive does not itself prohibit or invalidate marriage (canon 1084 §3).
☐ Arrange the authorized Church minister and two witnesses to your exchange of consent, unless a legitimate exception applies. Ceremony witnesses are separate from people completing freedom-to-marry affidavits. Confirm delegation for a visiting priest or deacon.

These Church-wide points apply alongside the local document and course requirements. The parish interview considers your readiness and intentions, not simply whether your file contains enough certificates.

Sacramental records

☐ Request your parish’s current written marriage checklist at the first meeting. Tell the priest where each of you was baptized and whether either of you belongs to an Eastern Catholic Church.
☐ The Cathedral of St. Mary requires baptismal certificates before securing a date. Ask your own parish for its issue-date window and sacramental-record checklist.
☐ Keep your Fully Engaged follow-up and group-program completion records as directed by the parish.
☐ If you are Catholic and not confirmed, discuss preparation early. Miami explicitly states that lack of Confirmation is not an impediment to marriage.

Freedom to marry

☐ Complete the prenuptial interview or questionnaire with the priest, deacon, or parish delegate. Disclose every previous marriage, including civil and non-Catholic marriages.
☐ Arrange the freedom-to-marry testimony your parish requests. Confirm who may serve as a witness, how many statements are needed, and whether signatures must be witnessed by clergy or notarized.

Preparation

☐ Follow the local preparation plan below; a retreat certificate alone does not complete the whole parish process.
☐ An NFP class is part of the published process; depending on the chosen method it can take three to six months. Begin this element early.
☐ Meet again with your priest or deacon to finish the file and plan readings, prayers, music, and the rehearsal.

Civil and logistics

☐ Obtain the appropriate civil license and deliver it by your parish’s deadline.
☐ Confirm church offering, music, coordinator, deposit, and cancellation terms directly with the wedding parish.
☐ If preparation and the wedding are in different dioceses, ask both parishes who routes the file through the diocesan offices and how early it must arrive.

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

A Catholic can marry a baptized Christian who is not Catholic. Tell your priest the other partner’s church and baptismal history at the first meeting so he can identify the permission and rite that apply. Conversion is not a condition of obtaining mixed-marriage permission. Permission is required for a mixed marriage’s lawful celebration; its absence alone does not automatically make an otherwise valid marriage invalid. This differs from the impediment when one partner is unbaptized.

☐ Complete the applicable parish preparation, interview, and freedom-to-marry steps together. The non-Catholic partner supplies baptismal evidence acceptable to the parish.
☐ Have your priest arrange the mixed-marriage permission. The Catholic undertakes to preserve the faith and do all in their power to have children baptized and raised Catholic; the other partner is informed of that undertaking.
☐ Discuss a ceremony outside Mass and any proposed participation by the other partner’s minister. Ask your priest about the rules for an Orthodox partner or an Eastern Catholic partner before selecting an officiant.
☐ If you hope to marry in the other partner’s church, ask about the required authorization, including any dispensation from Catholic canonical form. Do not assume a Catholic guest priest makes another ceremony a Catholic wedding.
☐ Plan one religious exchange of matrimonial consent. Do not arrange a second religious ceremony to give or renew those vows, or a joint service in which Catholic and non-Catholic ministers each use their own rites to ask for consent (canon 1127 §3). Ask your priest about permitted participation in prayers or blessings.

The Catholic partner’s declaration and promises

For a mixed marriage or a disparity-of-cult dispensation, discuss these points explicitly with your priest:

Continuing in the Catholic faith. The Catholic declares readiness to avoid dangers of abandoning the faith. Discuss how Catholic worship and practice will be supported in your shared life.
Children’s baptism and upbringing. The Catholic sincerely promises to do everything in their power to have all children baptized and raised Catholic. This is an undertaking to make every effort, not a guarantee of an outcome outside one spouse’s control.
The other partner’s awareness. The non-Catholic must be informed of that promise and obligation before the wedding. They do not have to make the same promise or become Catholic. Both partners must receive instruction about marriage’s purposes and essential properties, which neither may exclude.

Your parish may record this in a prenuptial declaration or promise form; wording and signatures follow local procedures. Respect for the other person’s conscience matters throughout. Talk concretely about Sunday Mass, children’s sacraments and religious education, family expectations, and decisions about family planning before making the vows.

These conditions come from canons 1125–1126; canon 1086 applies them when one partner is unbaptized. The other partner’s awareness does not replace the Catholic’s own promise.

Wedding Mass and Holy Communion

Two Catholics normally celebrate marriage within Mass. When one partner is a baptized non-Catholic, a celebration outside Mass is generally preferred; your priest can explain whether permission for Mass is appropriate. Non-Catholic spouses and guests ordinarily do not receive Catholic Communion; ask the priest about any exceptional sacramental questions. With an unbaptized partner, use the appropriate marriage celebration outside Mass.

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

If one of you is Catholic and the other has never been validly baptized, your priest must arrange a dispensation from disparity of cult before the marriage. Without the dispensation, that impediment prevents a valid marriage. A valid marriage while one spouse remains unbaptized is not a sacramental marriage.

☐ Tell the parish that the other partner is unbaptized; no baptismal certificate is expected for that partner. Both still participate in the applicable preparation and freedom-to-marry inquiry.
☐ Have clergy request the dispensation and explain the Catholic partner’s undertaking concerning faith and children. The non-Catholic partner does not have to promise to convert.
☐ Plan the appropriate celebration outside Mass with the priest or deacon. Ask about venue approval separately; the dispensation is not permission to use any reception venue.
☐ Complete the declaration and promises described above: the Catholic’s commitment to faith and children’s Catholic upbringing, the other partner’s awareness, and both partners’ instruction about marriage. The non-Catholic need not make the same promise or convert.
☐ Agree one religious exchange of consent with your priest; the restriction on a second religious vow ceremony or joint consent-taking also applies here (canon 1129).

If either of you was married before, or you’re already civilly married

Tell the priest about every earlier marriage at your first meeting. A civil divorce is not, by itself, proof of freedom to marry in the Church. The parish or tribunal identifies the appropriate process; not every case requires the same type of declaration of nullity.

A previous spouse has died

Next step: The parish documents the prior spouse’s death
Documents to discuss: Death certificate; other records the parish requests

Divorced from a living previous spouse

Next step: Have the parish or tribunal establish freedom to marry before fixing an unconditional wedding date
Documents to discuss: Prior marriage certificate, divorce decree, and any Church decision

A Church declaration of nullity has already been issued

Next step: The priest checks the final decision and any conditions for a new marriage
Documents to discuss: Final decree and evidence that any conditions are fulfilled

Already civilly married to each other

Next step: Ask whether convalidation or another canonical remedy is needed and what preparation applies
Documents to discuss: Existing civil marriage certificate; any prior-marriage records

For couples already civilly married to each other, the first step is a parish review of your actual situation. Your priest will explain whether new consent for convalidation is needed, the appropriate preparation, and the civil documentation. Do not assume that a prior civil ceremony either eliminates all preparation or requires a completely new legal marriage.

Marriage preparation (Pre-Cana) options in Miami

Meet with your parish before other wedding bookings. Complete Fully Engaged and discuss the results with a facilitator in at least three meetings. Attend the group program recommended by your priest: Transformed in Love or Camino; complete NFP formation and follow-up meetings.

Transformed in Love or Camino

Format / who it serves: Group preparation selected with your priest or deacon
Published cost: Check the selected program
Where to start: Program information

Natural Family Planning

Format / who it serves: In-person, live online, or self-paced options; method-specific follow-up
Published cost: Varies by method and provider
Where to start: Program information

Natural Family Planning: An NFP class is part of the published process; depending on the chosen method it can take three to six months. Begin this element early.

Openness to children and Catholic teaching on family planning

The Church teaches that marital intimacy joins love and openness to life, and rejects deliberately contraceptive acts. It permits periodic abstinence using the natural signs of fertility to space births for just reasons (Catechism 2366–2370). Discuss this teaching together; attending an NFP class is a local preparation step, while the underlying teaching applies beyond the class.

Do not equate infertility, an individual moral failing, or a question about medical treatment with an automatic finding that a marriage is invalid. Questions about intentions expressed in consent belong with the preparing priest or tribunal. Bring personal medical questions to an appropriate clinician and discuss moral concerns with your priest.

Ask about language, accessibility, distance, and schedule needs before registering. If you cannot find a suitable date, contact the parish or diocesan office rather than assuming an unlisted online program will be accepted.

Costs, venues, and your civil marriage license

Church offerings and service charges are local. Ask for a written total that separates the ceremony, preparation, musicians, coordinator, deposits, and any optional offering to the celebrant. A payment to a course provider is not a reservation of the church. If cost is a genuine barrier, speak privately with the pastor about assistance or reduced charges. Financial hardship should not prevent an otherwise eligible couple from marrying; elaborate flowers, clothing, and a costly reception are not requirements.

Cathedral of St. Mary — 2024 published guide

Published church offering / fee: $1,000 standard donation; $200 non-refundable deposit credited toward it
Other terms: Organist $300 and vocalist $250 additional; recheck these dated prices

Can we get married outdoors or at our reception venue? Start by planning the ceremony in a Catholic church. A different location needs the proper Church approval, and a ceremony in a non-Catholic setting may also require permission or a dispensation from canonical form. Ask the parish before paying a venue deposit; civil permission to marry at a location does not establish Church permission.

Your Florida marriage license

A Florida license is valid for 60 days after issue. Florida residents normally face a three-day wait; qualifying premarital education can remove that wait. Non-Florida residents are exempt from the wait.

Check the clerk’s approved-provider requirements before assuming your Pre-Cana certificate qualifies for the civil education exception or fee reduction.
Miami-Dade provides online pre-application and appointment arrangements. Use the effective date printed on the license and deliver it to the parish on time.

Use the government sources below for the current civil rules. A parish handout can remain useful for Church preparation while containing outdated legal instructions.

Frequently asked questions

How far in advance should we contact the church in Miami?

Contact your parish at least nine months before the wedding. Confirm its own preparation and booking timetable before committing to a reception venue.

What documents do we need for a Catholic wedding in Miami?

Your parish will specify sacramental records, the prenuptial interview, freedom-to-marry evidence, preparation certificates, any permissions, and the civil license. Use the local document notes above; certificate age and witness counts should be confirmed with the preparing parish.

Which marriage preparation program should we take in Miami?

Transformed in Love or Camino is one route described in this guide. Ask your priest or deacon which program completes your parish’s requirements before registering.

Is Natural Family Planning preparation required in Miami?

An NFP class is part of the published process; depending on the chosen method it can take three to six months. Begin this element early.

How much does Catholic wedding preparation cost in Miami?

The selected parish or program sets the preparation fee. Check its current registration page or contact the organizer for the fee and available assistance. Budget separately for church and music fees unless the parish explicitly includes them.

Can a Catholic marry someone who is not Catholic?

Yes. A baptized non-Catholic Christian generally needs mixed-marriage permission; an unbaptized partner needs a dispensation from disparity of cult. Your priest handles the appropriate request and explains the Catholic partner’s responsibilities.

Do I have to be confirmed before getting married?

Tell your priest if you have not been confirmed. Catholics should receive Confirmation before marriage when it can be done without grave inconvenience; your parish will explain the preparation and records needed.

Can we have our Catholic wedding outdoors in Miami?

Do not book an outdoor ceremony on the assumption that it is approved. Ask your parish about Church venue rules and any required permission before paying a deposit.

When should we obtain the civil marriage license in Miami?

We live here but are getting married in another diocese. What should we do?

Contact both the preparing parish and the wedding parish early. Agree which preparation applies, how the canonical file will pass between dioceses, and the receiving parish’s deadline. Use the civil license required at the ceremony location.

What must we intend when we make our marriage vows?

Both partners must freely intend a lifelong, faithful marriage open to children, without excluding an essential element or property of marriage. Your priest will discuss these intentions during preparation.

Does my non-Catholic partner have to promise to raise our children Catholic?

No. The Catholic promises to do everything in their power to have children baptized and raised Catholic. The non-Catholic must know about that promise and obligation, but is not required to make the same promise or convert.

Can we marry if we cannot have children?

Infertility by itself neither prohibits nor invalidates marriage. Inability to conceive is different from deliberately excluding children when giving matrimonial consent; discuss your circumstances with your priest.

Do we need two witnesses at the wedding?

Normally yes: Catholic canonical form calls for an authorized Church minister and two witnesses to the couple’s consent. These are distinct from people who sign freedom-to-marry affidavits during preparation.

Can we have Catholic and non-Catholic religious wedding ceremonies?

Do not plan two religious ceremonies that give or renew matrimonial consent, or a joint service in which Catholic and non-Catholic ministers each ask for consent using their own rites. Ask your priest about authorized participation in prayers or blessings.

Can we have a wedding Mass if one of us is not Catholic?

A wedding outside Mass is generally preferred when one partner is a baptized non-Catholic; permission may be possible for Mass. With an unbaptized partner, the marriage is celebrated outside Mass. Discuss the rite and Communion arrangements with your priest.

Can financial hardship prevent us from having a Catholic wedding?

Speak privately with your pastor if fees create a genuine hardship. Ask about assistance or adjusted charges; an elaborate reception, expensive clothing, and elaborate flowers are not Church requirements.

Planning your Catholic wedding? Build your wedding registry with Cana, and keep this checklist handy as you prepare for marriage with your parish.

Sources

Requirements and fees can change, and parishes may add their own steps. Confirm your plan with your parish priest or deacon. Research checked October 27, 2026; any dated price examples are identified above. This guide covers the Latin Church; tell your priest if an Eastern Catholic Church is involved.

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