An annulment means that the Church has judged that her previous union was invalid in the first place. Nothing to do with the civil status of married or single. Since you are non-Catholic, perhaps you should be more concerned as to her civil status. For civil status you have to check with the civil Registry of Marriage. For religious status, which diocese tribunal granted the annulment? You can then check accordingly with the diocesan office.

Are you talking in relation to malaysia or overseas? And I'm catholic. I'm just not very religious. And I cannot check with NRD. They won't allow it

As I understand, annulment is a valid legal procedure in Malaysia. As I mentioned before, I'm planning to keep this a secret from my community. So if her status is "single" after annulment then no issue la.

But if suddenly come out on the paper as "divorced" then a lot of questions will be asked.

I underwent an annulment.

Do not believe what you read abt annulment laws on the Internet. It does not apply to Malaysia. In actual fact, after an annulment, you are supposed to be "SINGLE" again. But Malaysia does not accept this.

In JPN, your status will be "JANDA" (divorcee). This is so gravely wrong. I made a lot of noise about it, complained etc. But they said thats how the system is, and they are "reviewing the system" (my foot! ) So no, you do not get your single status back. If you are in other countries, US or what not, yes, you will be single again. Not in Malaysia.

Also, you cannot simply apply for an annulment like how you apply for a divorce. There must be grounds on which you apply for an annulment. Some valid circumstances are:

1) After having registered your marriage, both you and your life partner have never stayed together as husband and wife. That is, your marriage has not been consummated. (you have to prove it)

2) The marriage is null and void because either party was intoxicated (drunk etc) during the process of marriage

3) Either party was currently married to someone else at the time of marriage

4) The parties involved in the marriage are related (to a certain degree)

5) The parties entered into marriage with one party not knowing that the other party has a sexually transmitted disease.

There may be some other circumstances.

Also, it is a common misconception that before you reach 2 years of marriage, you can apply for an annulment and not a divorce. This is wrong. You can be married for 5 years, and if you can prove one of the above circumstance as proof, then you can still apply for an annulment.

To me, the only difference between an annulment and a divorce is that, for a divorce, you must wait at least two years after you marry before you can apply. You must also go thru the marriage tribunal bla bla first. For annulment, this is not necessary.

Be prepared to go through a long tiresome process. All in all, the entire process will take up to one year. You cannot hide the fact that you were married before from your future spouse. When you remarry, the words "JANDA" will be on your marriage cert. Dont ask me the rationale of this. I kicked up a fuss, and nothing has been done.

Good luck.

An annulment means that the Church has judged that her previous union was invalid in the first place. Nothing to do with the civil status of married or single. Since you are non-Catholic, perhaps you should be more concerned as to her civil status. For civil status you have to check with the civil Registry of Marriage. For religious status, which diocese tribunal granted the annulment? You can then check accordingly with the diocesan office.

Exactly!

Also OP, you must decide whether the people around you punya judgement more important or your life with her more important. you can please everyone. sometimes you must be selfish. if religion prohibits, then get a civil union. asian culture mmg very judgmental but just be happy. ok bro. tc and wish yo ua happy married life.