There are two types of annulments - legal civil and religious. If you desire information regarding religious annulments, you should check with your churches' local representative. Roman Catholics can call the marriage tribunal at the Catholic Diocese of Erie or their parish. Other denominations should contact their local minister.
This article deals with legal civil annulments.
Some marriages may be void from the beginning and these marriages may be annulled in the following cases:
1. If a party is already married and the prior marriage has not been terminated.
2. When two parties are too closely related.
3. If either party was incompetent.
4. If either party to a common law marriage was less than 18 years of age.
Other marriages are voidable and thus, may be annulled in the following cases:
1. Where either party is less than 16 years of age, unless the marriage was expressly authorized by the Court.
2. In certain cases, if either party is between 16 and 18 years of age.
3. If either party was under the influence of intoxicating alcohol or drugs at the time of marriage.
4. If either party is impotent, and that condition was not disclosed to the other party.
5. If there has been inducement by fraud, duress, coercion, or force by either party, and no voluntary cohabitation later.
