Topic:  What is acceptable as proof of baptism?

Source of this posting: Moderator response

Date originally posted: October 14, 2003

Moderator who originally posted this source: Father Phillip

Question:   I am in the very beginning process of joining the Catholic Church. I was baptised by full immersion in the name of the Father, Son, and Holy Spirit in a non catholic church, and I know that later down the road I will need proof of this. I was just wondering what would be acceptable? Thanks!

Answer: 

Thanks for your question, and congratulations on being open to the Lord's leading as you journey toward full communion with the Catholic Church; many blessings!

Actually, each local pastor of the parish in which you are involved in the RCIA (Rite of Christian Initiation of Adults) is charged with the responsibility of deciding what is the best "proof" that a person has been baptized with water in the Name of the Most Blessed Trinity.

Generally, most pastors want something in writing. In the parish of which I have the privilege of being pastor and campus minister, I require one of a couple of options.

A. If possible some kind of written statement from the Church in which a person was baptized is my first choice. However, if that's not possible for whatever reason, then...

B. If somebody, who was an adult at the time of the person's Baptism and who actually witnessed the Baptism and remembers it, is willing to write a (brief) letter stating her/his memory of the event and its circumstances, I will accept that.

C. Or, if the person her/himself was of an age to remember the actual Baptism, I will usually accept a letter written to me from the person her/himself stating that she/he was actually baptized and what her/his memory of the events involved in the Baptism were.

But you need to talk to your Campus Minister or Pastor to see what is required in the parish of which you are becoming a part.

Please say a prayer for me and you'll be in the prayers of the community in which I worship!

Blessings,
Father Phillip