Non-Catholics who wish to marry a Catholic are bound by the laws of the Church regarding marriage. That means that if a non-Catholic party wishes to marry a Catholic they must marry in the Catholic Church according to canonical form. That also means that if the non-Catholic party has a previous marriage(s), he/she must petition the Tribunal for an annulment. Even though they are not Catholic, or were not Catholic at the time of the marriage if they are entering the Catholic Church, the Church recognizes the validity of any marriage, natural or sacramental. If you were not Catholic and were not marrying a Catholic, you are not bound to the marriage laws of the Catholic Church. Therefore, the Catholic Church recognizes the marriage you contracted as a non-Catholic and considers you married to that person until proven otherwise.
