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. (At this time Licenses are not being issued to same sex couples). 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.