Legal Definitions - civil impediment

Definition: A hindrance or obstruction that prevents a marriage from being valid or enforceable under civil law. Examples of civil impediments include:

• Legal minority
• Unsoundness of mind
• Fraud
• Duress

If any of these factors are present before or during a marriage ceremony, the marriage may be considered void or voidable. For example, if one of the parties is under the legal age of consent, the marriage may be considered invalid. Similarly, if one of the parties was coerced into the marriage through fraud or duress, the marriage may be considered voidable.

It's important to note that civil impediments are different from canonical impediments, which are recognized by the Roman Catholic Church and may also render a marriage invalid or voidable.