Annulment Cost

Typical costs:

• Obtaining a civil annulment can cost $500-$5,000 or more, depending on whether both spouses agree on the annulment or if only one spouse is filing for annulment and the other spouse is difficult to find. For example, Nevada Divorce & Document Services^[1] charges $500 plus a $325 court filing/handling fee ($825 total) for a joint petition annulment signed by both parties; or $700 plus the court fee of $325 and search and publication fees of $185 ($1,000 total) for a complaint annulment filed with only spouse's signature). New York attorney Jeffrey B. Peltz^[2] quotes a legal fee of $1,200 for a simple annulment plus $343 for court fees ($1,543 total).
• Fees for processing an ecclesiastic annulment from the Catholic Church vary from $200-$1,000, but average about $500-$600. Appealing an unfavorable annulment decision can double those costs. (If the person can't pay the fees, the church will make arrangements to reduce or defray the costs.) Typically, annulment fees are higher on the East Coast and in urban areas, and less expensive in the Midwest and South, according to Catholic.com^[3] . For example, the Diocese of Saint Cloud^[4] in Minnesota charges $500 for an ordinary annulment, with $100 due when the case is submitted and the remainder paid in monthly installments. The Diocese of Camden^[5] in New Jersey charges a $100 filing fee, a $400 investigation fee and a $300 decision fee, or $800 total, and if an annulment decision is appealed to the Roman Rota, there is an $850 fee for the appeal plus a $200 preparation fee.

• The specific grounds for a civil annulment vary by state, but typically they include things like bigamy, fraud, incest, being underage, impotence or if one or both people were unable to give their consent at the time of the marriage ceremony due to insanity or being under the influence of alcohol, drugs or another incapacitating substance. For example, the Utah State Courts^[6] and the Minnesota Judicial Branch^[7] list the annulment requirements for their states. Each state also has its own residency requirements for an annulment, similar to those for getting married. Many experts recommend hiring an attorney to guide the individual through the civil annulment process^[8] .
• Because the Catholic church considers a marriage covenant to be a lifetime commitment, the only way a legally divorced person can marry again within the Catholic church is to obtain an ecclesiastic annulment; an annulment can be requested even if the person does not wish to re-marry. Under Catholic law, an annulment is granted when from its beginning the union between the bride and groom lacked one or more of the essential elements of a Catholic marriage: permanence, exclusivity, openness and an interpersonal relationship. The Archdiocese of Mobile, AL, describes the possible reasons for a church annulment^[9] .
• A church annulment petition must be presented to the tribunal (the church court) in the Catholic diocese where the petitioner is living or where the marriage took place. The church requires that the former spouse be notified about the annulment petition and have the opportunity to respond. The annulment process typically takes about a year, but might be finished sooner if all necessary documents and witnesses are in order. The Archdiocese of New York describes the ecclesiastic annulment process^[10] and the Diocese of Camden provides a glossary of terms^[11] .

• For a civil annulment, search for a family law attorney through the American Academy of Matrimonial Lawyers^[12] or search for legal resources by state through the American Bar Association^[13] . Lawyers.com explains how to choose a family law attorney^[14] .
• The ecclesiastic annulment process typically starts at the local parish church, which will provide guidance and all necessary forms. The Diocese of Camden describes how to begin^[15] the annulment process through the Catholic church.

1.  www.fastnevadadivorce.com/annulment.html
2.  www.aaalawyer.com/Area-of-law/Family-Law/Annulment.aspx
3.  archive.catholic.com/thisrock/1999/9909fea2.asp
4.  www.stcdio.org/offices/tribunal/annulments/annulment-faqs/80-how-much-does-the-annulmen...
5.  www.camdendiocese.org/index.php?option=com_content&view=article&id=562&Itemid=389
6.  www.utcourts.gov/howto/divorce/#annulment
7.  www.mncourts.gov/selfhelp/?page=341
8.  www.divorcelawfirms.com/annulment/marriage-annulment-process.htm
9.  www.mobilearchdiocese.org/pages/mt_faq.cfm#6
10.  www.archny.org/pastoral/faq---annulments/#5._What_is_the_Annulment_Procedure__
11.  www.camdendiocese.org/index.php?option=com_content&view=article&id=560&Itemid=392
12.  www.aaml.org/find-a-lawyer
13.  apps.americanbar.org/legalservices/findlegalhelp/home.cfm
14.  family-law.lawyers.com/Family-Law-Meeting-with-a-Lawyer.html
15.  www.camdendiocese.org/index.php?option=com_content&view=article&id=561&Itemid=387

Check Out All Costs for Personal Finance		How Much Do Funeral Flowers Cost?		How Much Do Tax Returns Cost?		How Much Does Closing a Home Cost?

Today's Featured Cost Articles

Staying cool during the summer extends to the car. How much is car air conditioning? The hot summer weather has started. We cover the cost of central air conditioning. Is this the summer to finally take those swimming lessons? Mother's Day is coming up. We cover the cost of massages and other spa treatments. Spring has sprung. Are you thinking about allergy shots?

About CostHelper

CostHelper is based in Silicon Valley and provides consumers with unbiased price information about thousands of goods and services. Our writers are experienced journalists who adhere to our strict editorial ethics policy.

CostHelper Community

Replace leaking supply line40' w/copper from meter to house Paid: 2150.00 Water supply line leaking, need dig trench, 40' Type L copper pipe. 1st plumber quote $6500. Did some research, 2nd quote is $2150. Depth by city code 16 - 18", both licensed, guarantee 1 year... [more] -Meeept2000 Replacing Copper Pipes Cost About to start babysitting Paid: 6.00 I’m about to start babysitting for their first time ever (for pay) and I was wondering if my pay was too high or too low. Tha family has two boys, a ten year old and an eight year old... [more] - Baby Sitter Cost cost of ear drops Paid: 67.00 I was prescribed antibiotic drops for an ear infection. Went to pick up at Walgreen's and declined due to price of $219. I asked the medical facility to send prescription to Costco. Picked it up there for $67... [more] -jeffo Ear Infection Cost Be aware Paid: 0.00 Be aware that many of the listed locksmiths are a call service and many of them are in another state. Some even try to pass as other businesses. Academy lock is a thief and abuses they employed too. There are many... [more] -Martin Y. Locksmith Cost Deep cleaning Paid: 9999.00 As a dental hygienist with 22 years experience, I can tell you “DEEP CLEANING” is not a SCAM! 1st and foremost remember your insurance coverage is to assist with treatment payments... [more] -Tasha Nicole Teeth Cleaning Cost 04 Nissan Sentra Paid: 120.00 I had one key for the car I just bought a few months back, well... While I was closing the front door to my house my key was caught and severely bent, I tried to gently tap it back straight but needless to say it snapped in half... [more] -Mz Sentra Key Copy Cost