Dignity/San Diego is a Catholic Christian Faith Community. That principle informs all Dignity activities. Our priest chaplains, however, are available to couples who are not a part of the Dignity Community for wedding ceremonies.  These guidelines have been set up by the Dignity/San Diego Chapter to help couples prepare for a life-long commitment as well as for a ceremony to celebrate that commitment.

1 - Both individuals shall be at least 18 years of age, the legal age of consent in California.

2 - Neither individual may be bound by a prior unresolved marriage, registered domestic partnership, civil union, covenant bond or similar relationship with a person other than the person they now intend to marry. 

3 - At least one of the individuals shall be a Baptized Catholic.  Proof of Baptism can be obtained from the church or parish of Baptism or be attested to by a witness or family member. 

4 - Some program, formal or informal, will be required to insure that the couple is sufficiently prepared to enter into a life-long, covenant, marriage relationship.  Sufficient time should be allowed for this preparation prior to a ceremony. 

5 - Ideally, a couple shall have known each other, dated, or lived together long enough to experience their strengths and weaknesses and share expectations and life values. 

6 - Preparation begins with the couple approaching the Dignity Community Council or one of the Chapter Chaplains and arranging a meeting.

7 - The couple is responsible for arranging and contracting for a place for the ceremony and taking care of any financial requirements.  This should be done in consultation with the individual priest chaplain who will be witnessing and celebrating the ceremony. 

8 - The ordinary stipend for the chaplain will be $300 for non-Dignity members and $100 for Dignity members.  Exceptions may apply.

9 - It is the responsibility of the couple to obtain a Marriage License and have it available at the time of the ceremony.  Two witnesses, in addition to the clergyman, will be required to sign the license.  A Marriage Certificate will be issued to the couple after the ceremony. Dignity members will have their wedding registered with the DignityUSA National Couples Registry.  A record of all weddings will be kept by the Dignity/San Diego Chapter.  A couple has 90 days from the obtaining of a Marriage License to celebrate their wedding & return license to county clerk for recording.