The Office of Canonical Services assists priests and parishes in the Archdiocese of New York in pastorally applying Church Law and policy to pastoral questions and administration. It oversees Sacramental recording procedures, matrimonial permissions and dispensations, and the transfer of prenuptial wedding files to other Dioceses and Archdioceses. It is also possible to request a celebret and register as a New York City marriage officiant through this Office.
For Couples:
If you plan to marry outside of the Archdiocese of New York, whether in the United States or abroad, your wedding file cannot be sent directly to the Church of marriage. It must be seen and sent by the New York Archdiocese to (arch)diocese where the marriage will take place.
To have sufficient time to properly process these files, they must be received by the New York Chancery at least TWO MONTHS prior to the proposed date of the wedding. Please remember to include the customary FedEx fee for this transmittal, i.e., $50 for Domestic Wedding and $150 for International Weddings, payable to the Archdiocese of New York.
For Clergy only:
The procedure that should be followed if you are asked to help prepare a couple to celebrate the Sacrament of Marriage outside of the Archdiocese of New York, either in a Domestic or International (arch)diocese is:
Additional Forms:
Office of Canonical Services
- 1011 First Ave
- Floor: 19
- New York , NY 10022
- Phone: 212-371-1011 Ext. 2935