Is it true you cannot get married in a Church of England if you have been divorced before?

Question

if your first marriage was in a registry

Answer 1

According to current Canon law the answer is yes & no.

"Canon I.19 addresses “Regulations Respecting Holy Matrimony: Concerning Preservation of Marriage, Dissolution of Marriage, and Remarriage.” Section 3 contains the prohibition against remarriage:

No Member of the Clergy of this Church shall solemnize the marriage of any person who has been the husband or wife of any other person then living, nor shall any member of this Church enter into a marriage when either of the contracting parties has been the husband or the wife of any other person then living."

However, if you meet the requirements listed in Canon law you can remarry in the church:

1. the member of the clergy must have adequate evidence that the prior marriage was annulled or dissolved by final judgment of a civil court,

2. the member of the clergy must instruct the parties to the proposed marriage of required continuing concern for the well-being of the former spouse and children, and

3. the member of the clergy must consult with and obtain the prior consent of the bishop of the diocese in which the member of the clergy is canonically resident, as well as affirmation of that consent from the bishop of the diocese in which the marriage is to be solemnized.

Answer 2

Considering the religion of England is Catholicism, and in the Catholic denomination, you can't be remarried in a Catholic Church if you've been divorced, it would make sense to believe that statement to be correct.

Answer 3

No, its not true.

Case in point - Prince Charles's wife, Camilla, was divorced. They had a Church of England wedding.