How to Get a Civil Annulment

An annulment is a way for people to dissolve their marriage. It is often easier to get an annulment than it is to get a divorce. People who file for a civil annulment must meet certain specific requirements. The first step in the process is to determine whether or not you qualify for an annulment.

• Learn your state's annulment laws. These laws vary greatly between jurisdictions. Most states have their own guidelines and requirements that must be met prior to being granted a civil annulment.


• Determine whether or not you have grounds for an annulment. The most common grounds for being granted an annulment include insanity, bigamy, impotence, fraud, mental disability, failure to consummate the marriage or being married under the influence of drugs or alcohol. Unlike most people believe, the length of the marriage is not grounds for being granted an annulment.


• Confirm that you have no complicating matters. If you plan to request child support or alimony payments, you will need to go through the process of filing for a divorce rather than an annulment. These issues are not included in the annulment process. Any marriage that is dissolved through an annulment should be free of extenuating matters.


• Consult with an experienced family law attorney. An attorney will be able to help you through the annulment process and provide you with answers to any questions that you may have.


• Complete the required paperwork and submit it to the court. Your attorney can help you obtain the required forms and assist you in their completion. Civil annulments can only be granted by a judge, so you will need to submit the paperwork to the court and await the judge's ruling. In some cases, you will be required to attend a hearing to debate.