Home | Contact Parish Info | Diocese Map | Clergy Assignments | Pastoral Center Offices | Local Catholic Organizations | Jobs | Links How does one begin a Study?   What is the Study of a Marriage?   What is the Tribunal?   What About the Former Spouse?   Who Reviews the Study Information?   What is the Next Step?   How Long Does the Entire Process Take?   Is Remarriage in the Catholic Church Allowed?   Is there a Fee for Tribunal Services?   What is Marriage?   What is an Annulment?   Office of the Tribunal > How does one begin a Study? Contact a priest or deacon (preferably on in your parish) and he will make an appointment to meet with you to complete an introductory form called "Application for Annulment." You will be asked to write a history of your courtship and marriage according to a set of questions. The priest will forward this application and history to the Tribunal. You will be notified by the Tribunal of the receipt of these documents and you be asked to have a personal interview with a member of the Tribunal staff. The purpose of this interview is to help determine whether grounds of marriage nulllity exists in your petition. If it is not possible to accept a case for a formal hearing, (e.g. because there are no apparent grounds acceptable in church law or no proofs to document the grounds) a detailed explanation will be given to the person who made the request for a study together with appropriate references for proper pastoral guidance and direction. Are witnesses required? Marriage in never a totally private relationship. It creates profound effects on the family, society and the church. Witnesses, then, are required by church law to assist the Tribunal in a deeper understanding of you, your spouse, your marriage and its failure. This testimony will be used as proof to document the grounds. What about special witnesses? Sometimes doctors, psychiatrists, psychologists, professional counselors, priests, ministers, rabbis, etc. have been consulted before or during a marriage in order to assist a person or couple. If this is true, you will be asked to provide the complete names(s) and after you have signed a release, the professional(s) may provide us confidentially with information that may be of great value in the study of a marriage. Contact: Bette Damberg bdamberg@dioceseduluth.org (218) 724-9111 Fax: (218) 724-1056 Diocese of Duluth Office of the Tribunal 2830 E. 4th Street Duluth, MN 55812 Judicial Vicar James B. Bissonette, J.C.L. Defender of the Bond Dale Nau, J.C.L Advocate Bette Damberg   Diocese of Duluth • 2830 E Fourth St • Duluth Minnesota 55812 • (218) 724- 9111 Copyright 2010 DIOCESE OF DULUTH All Rights Reserved.