An annulment is a declaration that a marriage was in fact invalid, based upon the Sacrament of Marriage, after an extensive investigation.  W hat is investigated is whether or not at the time of consent a valid marriage bond was created.  It is not a divorce; it is a statement that the bond of marriage as it is understood by the Catholic Church was not made.  It does not mean that a civil marriage did not occur and does not deny the relationship existed.  It simply states that the relationship was missing something that the Church requires for a valid marriage.   For more information regarding annulments, please visit the Diocese of Savannah’s Tribunal page here.