Guidelines for Godparents (Sponsors) for Baptism and Confirmation as set out in the Canon Law of the Roman Catholic Church.
"Insofar as possible, a person to be baptized is to be given a sponsor (Godparent) who assists an adult in Christian initiation or together with the parents presents an infant or child for baptism. A sponsor (Godparent) also helps the baptized person to lead a Christian life in keeping with baptism and to fulfill faithfully the obligations inherent in it"
1. To be a Godparent (sponsor) a person must: Canon 872
I) be designated by the one to be baptized, by the parents or the person who takes their place, or in their absence by the pastor
II) must have completed the sixteenth year of age.
III) must be a Catholic who has been confirmed and already received the most Holy Sacrament of the Eucharist. He /she must attend Mass and receive the Eucharist on a regular weekly basis and lead a life of faith in keeping with the function to be taken on. IV) not be the father or the mother of the one to be baptized. Canon 87
2. There is to be only one male sponsor (Godfather) or one female sponsor (Godmother) or one of each. Two men or two women cannot be Godparents (sponsors) either at Baptism or Confirmation and second, there may be no more than two Godparents (sponsors). Canon 873
3. A baptized person who belongs to a non-Catholic (ecclesial) Christian community cannot be a Godparent (sponsor) except together with a Catholic sponsor (Godparent) and then only as a Christian witness of the baptism. Canon 874
Archbishop's Office; July 2010
A Catholic Godparent is required to obtain a letter from their pastor. This letter affirms that the Godparent is a practicing Catholic. Practicing Catholic means they are attending Mass on a weekly basis and if married, this marriage has been blessed by the Catholic Church. Please have the letter sent directly to the Parish Office so it is received at least two weeks prior to the baptism. If both Godparents are Catholic, they both are required to obtain a letter.