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FAQ - Annulment

Arizona Civil Legal Needs Community Survey

Civil legal organizations in Arizona are seeking your input to increase their ability to meet the civil legal needs of Arizona's lower income residents. Please complete this survey to assist in improving civil legal services in Arizona.

Encuesta de Necesidades Legales Civiles de Arizona

Las organizaciones legales civiles en Arizona buscan su opinión para aumentar su capacidad de satisfacer las necesidades legales civiles de los residentes de bajos ingresos de Arizona. Por favor complete esta encuesta para ayudar a mejorar los servicios legales civiles en Arizona.

What is an annulment?

An annulment is a court process to declare that the persons were never legally married to begin with, because at the time of the marriage something was so wrong that no legal relationship could be established by marriage. Arizona law lets only “void” or “voidable” marriages be annulled. A void marriage is one the law prohibits, such as between certain blood relatives. Reasons a marriage may be voidable include: undissolved prior marriage, duress, and fraud. 

The words “duress” and “fraud” have precise legal meanings as they relate to annulment. If you think you entered into a marriage as the result of duress or fraud, an attorney can advise you about whether your circumstances meet the legal requirements for annulment. 

No matter how short a time you have been married, your marriage must be void or voidable for another reason provided in law for you to have it annulled. 
If you want to end a marriage and your circumstances do not qualify for an annulment, you may ask for a legal separation or divorceSelf-Help Centers have free forms and instructions for these procedures. 

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