Letters of Good Standing, Sacramental Transcripts and
Freedom to Marry Letters

Letter of Good Standing

In the Orthodox Church, it is required that the Godparent at a Baptism or Sponsor at a Wedding be an active Orthodox Christian member of an Orthodox Parish. If the Godparent or Sponsor are not members of the parish where the sacrament will take place, throughout the Greek Orthodox Archdiocese of America, a Letter of Membership in Good Standing from their home parish is required. This is a letter from the parish priest of the individual, which he will send to the priest of the parish where the baptism or wedding will be celebrated.

What are the requirements for receiving a Letter of Membership in Good Standing?

  • One must be a practicing Orthodox Christian

  • Baptized as an Orthodox Christian or received into the Church through the sacrament of Chrismation

  • Participates in the sacramental life of the Church by attending Divine Liturgy frequently and receiving the Sacraments of Holy Communion and Holy Confession

  • Lives according to the Orthodox Christian faith and applies beliefs and principles of the Church to his/her life

Other requirements for being in Good Standing

  • If married, the marriage was celebrated and/or blessed in the Church

  • If divorced, having received an ecclesiastical divorce decree from the Church

Parish Stewardship Commitment

  • Devotes his/her time, talents and financial resources to the Church in order to support  the Annunciation Cathedral in Atlanta and share in the new life given in Jesus Christ

  • Pledging steward of the Cathedral, currently offering one’s financial support to the Church

When requesting Letters of Membership in Good Standing, please fill out the form below  at least 3-4 weeks before the sacrament.

Sacramental Transcripts

All records of baptisms, chrismations, weddings, divorces and funerals are maintained in the Parish Registry Books. The local parish priest detailing the information recorded in his parish’s Registry Books issues transcripts upon receiving a request from the individual involved. The priest who prepares them signs these transcripts. His hierarch then validates the authenticity of the priest’s signature. These transcripts can be used as needed and serve the same function as those original certificates issued at the time of the Sacrament.

In the case of a Church Divorce Decree, however, duplicate copies are not issued. The original, as issued, must be submitted when applying for an ecclesiastical marriage license.

If you are in need any of these transcripts or letter, please fill out the form below.

Freedom to MArry letter

There are times when a "freedom to marry" letter, often called a "Certificate of Freedom to Marry" or "Certificate of Non-Impediment," is needed in order to be married in the Church. This document confirms that an individual is not encumbered by another marriage and is canonically free to marry within the Orthodox Church. This document is crucial for both the bride and groom, especially if they are members of different parishes or if one is not a member of the parish where the wedding will take place.  

Letter of Good Standing, Sacramental Transcripts and Freedom to Marry Letter Request

Please allow up to 3 months for processing documents that require a signature of the Metropolitan.