Like most states, Texas is hesitant to grant annulments, which is an action that renders a marriage null and void. If you hope to file for and receive an annulment, you must be able to prove valid grounds.
The grounds for annulment are few, but they do exist. The Texas Family Code outlines the various grounds for annulment, a few of which you can find below.
Marriage to persons under 18
If you or a loved one was between the ages of 16 and 18 when you, he or she got married, the state may grant you an annulment. To receive an annulment for this reason, a parent or other responsible party must file on the underaged person’s behalf, assuming the underage person is still not of age.
Married while under the influence
If you, as the petitioner, can prove that at the time of the marriage, you were under the influence of drugs or alcohol, the courts may grant you an annulment. However, you must not have cohabited with the other party at all since the effects of the drugs or alcohol have ceased.
Impotency
If you discover that your spouse is impotent, and if you did not know that he or she was impotent at the time of your union, you may be able to receive an annulment. However, as with the above reason, you must be able to show that you have not voluntarily cohabitated with your spouse since learning of his or her impotency.
Concealed divorce
The courts may grant you an annulment if you discover that your spouse received a divorce no more than 30 days before the date of your marriage. However, you must prove that at the time of your ceremony, you did not know of the divorce and, moreover, that a reasonably prudent person would not have known of it either.
These are just a few grounds for annulment that Texas recognizes. If you hope to attain an annulment, familiarize yourself with valid reasons to obtain one.