Guidelines for Issuing Parochial Certificates ( Canon 535)

Parochial Registers and Certificates ( Canon 535)

The Canon strictly speaks of maintenance of the Parochial registers and the due care in the issuance of the certificates. And in the background of the Judiciary proceedings, the issuance of the parochial certificates face lots of care and diligence.

When a Certificate issued by the Parish Priest:

- When one partner requests for the marriage certificate, it is always better to demand for the application to the Parish Priest duly signed by both the partners. If one partner asks for it (in the case of divorce in the civil court) it is better to have a letter from the concerned lawyer.

- There should be the name of the archive on the certificate.

- There should be Ref. number of the concerned registry with year, month, and date;

- There should also be Ref. number of the concerned act done by the priest with Year, month, and date.

- It is always suggested to mention – it is VALID ONLY for the PURPOSE of ………. in the PRESENT certificate being issued on the certificate itself, otherwise there is chance of utilizing it for many acts in many long years coming ahead in the future.

- It is highly recommended not to submit any parochial register to any Judicial court but liable to demonstrate for verification on the proof of the fraud.