A civil divorce must be finalized before a petition can be submitted to the Council. A certified copy of the civil divorce decree must accompany the application.

A formal petition is submitted together with all required documentation. The application consists of nine parts, including personal information, marriage details, a case summary, supporting documents, and a declaration of veracity.

The case is assigned to a specific council member who will be responsible for the full investigation and presentation of findings to the council.

That priest studies the situation in full detail, holds individual interviews with both parties, and collects all relevant documentation prior to presenting the case to the full council.

The Council meets monthly. The assigned priest presents his findings. A full discussion follows among all council members. All proceedings, testimony, and documentation are held in the strictest confidence — nothing is shared with the congregation, parish clergy, or any outside party.

The council reaches a determination — this may include permission to remarry, denial, deferral for further investigation, or a declaration of annulment. See the Determinations page for the full range of possible outcomes. A formal canonical decree is drafted, signed by H.E. Metropolitan Serapion, and delivered to both parties. The decree is permanently recorded in the Council's registry.