Church law calls for the existence of a tribunal in every diocese of the world. The
Metropolitan Tribunal of the Archdiocese of Hartford is a staff of specially trained and
experienced priests, religious and lay persons who offer assistance to parties who have
eason to doubt the validity of their marriage. The Tribunal then investigates the marriage,
and, on completion of the investigation, declares whether or not invalidity has been proved.

What is Marriage?

The Catholic Church teaches that marriage is, by God's plan, an enduring and exclusive
artnership between a man and a woman for the giving and receiving of love and for the
procreation and education of children. From a marriage properly celebrated arises a
ond between the spouses which by its very nature is perpetual and exclusive.  
For those who have been baptized, a valid marriage is also a sacrament. The Catholic
Church also teaches that every sacramental marriage that has been consummated is
indissoluble. This is in accord with the Sacred Scriptures and centuries of Catholic tradition.

How to Petition the Tribunal

You may request the necessary documents from the Metropolitan Tribunal or print them
from the web site (pdf files). To open and print them from the web site, you will
need Adobe Acrobat Reader. (Click here to download Acrobat Reader free.) Click on each
title to open, and use the print button on your browser to print out the form.

1) Declaration of Invalidity of Marriage, an informational brochure, provides answers
   about the process of placing a petition before the Metropolitan Tribunal.

2) Petition Form     3) Marital History    4) Statement of Petitioner

When you have completed the forms, send them to the Metropolitan Tribunal for
consideration. The filing fee of $75 must accompany these documents. Please make
your check payable to the Archdiocese of Hartford.

You may be interested in reading an article by Father Juan-Diego Brunetta, O.P., J.C.D.
on "Busting some common annulment myths."

Should you have any questions concerning this matter, please feel free to contact
Carol M. Hatten, Metropolitan Tribunal Notary, at 860-541-6491 (Monday-Friday,
9:00 AM - 4:00 PM), via email, or by writing directly to the Metropolitan Tribunal
(see address below).

Staff

Judicial Vicar (Officialis) - Rev. Robert B. Vargo, J.C.L.
Adjutant Judicial Vicar - Rev. James F. Kinnane, J.C.L.
Defender of the Bond - Rev. Christopher M. Ford, J.C.L.
Promoter of Justice - Msgr. John J. McCarthy, J.C.D., J.D.
Secretary and Notary - Carol M. Hatten
Secretary - Nancy C. Scott
Judges - Msgr. William J. Mullen, J.C.D.; Revs. James F. Kinnane, J.C.L.; Alvin J. LeBlanc, J.C.L.
Assessor - Sr. Mariann Guiniven, I.H.M.
Experts - Robert Swards, MD; Donald Paglia, M.S., C.A.G.S.; Deacon Ronald Biamonte, M.A. (NCC Board Eligible)

To contact the Metropolitan Tribunal:

Metropolitan Tribunal
Archdiocese of Hartford
Archdiocesan Center at St. Thomas Seminary
467 Bloomfield Ave. 
Bloomfield, CT 06002-2999
Phone: 860-541-6491
Fax: 860-541-6309
Email: tribunal@aohct.org