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Questions & Answers

Certificate of Celibacy

Faith Q&A › Metropolitan Youssef › Marriage and Family › Certificate of Celibacy

The question

For new single newcomers to the USA, is a “certificate of celibacy” required by the Church in order to perform a wedding, or can the Church use my Egyptian ID/passport to check my status in Egypt with my church there? What would be the solution if I still did not get to know a priest here or elsewhere, due to my brief residence here? How can I get help in order to proceed with my wedding in 3 months? Is my social security enough to check that I have not been married, at least in the USA? Please provide me with an effective solution knowing that my confession father in Egypt departed a few months ago. How can I prove to the Church that I was not previously married ever in my life? Would a “certificate of celibacy” issued from the Cathedral in Egypt two years ago, still be good to use as proof that the person mentioned was celibate as of the issuance date?

The answer

You need to show proof that you have not been previously married and are currently not married. Proof can come in the form of public record regarding your marital status, and as well, from a spiritual father from the Coptic Orthodox Church who can vouch for you. A certificate of celibacy is valid at the time of issuance. If your confession father has since departed, you should now be under the guidance of another father, who can assume the responsibility of your spiritual life and can validate your status of celibacy to date.

If you do not have a spiritual father, then you must starting seeking one now. You should be in contact with your local church immediately and communicate your requests with the priest(s) of that church, if you wish to get married in just a few months. When you develop a relationship with a spiritual father or ask the local priest at the church where you wish to attend, he will explain to you more details. The Church needs to have information regarding your fiancée and ascertain if he has all the required legal documents to allow him to move forward toward marriage in the Church. A formal engagement officiated by a priest from the Coptic Orthodox Church must take place at least 40 days prior the wedding. Your new spiritual father must also complete the "Certificate of the Absence of Impediment for Marriage". He may request a notarized letter from three persons who know you very well in regard to never having been married before in the Coptic Orthodox Church, in any other church or religious institution, or via a civil marriage.

Answered by His Eminence Metropolitan Youssef (opens in a new tab)

Questions answered by His Eminence Metropolitan Youssef (opens in a new tab) of the Coptic Orthodox Diocese of the Southern United States. Question 1944 on the Diocese’s Q&A site. Questions and answers © Coptic Orthodox Diocese of the Southern United States. All rights reserved.