Roman Catholic Marriage records - de statu libero

[Sirenoftitan]

Please could someone help explain this for me.

The words "de statu" are entered against a relative's name in an Irish parish marriage record but no wife's name is entered and the record says that he paid 5s for it. The phrase "de statu libero" appears elsewhere in the marriage parish records against various other individuals. Google translate came up with "free status" and seems to suggest that some proof of eligibility was needed to proceed with a marriage. Is this correct? Was it needed for a marriage to take place in another parish?

Thanks for any clarification.

[ElizabethHerts]

It is "oath of free estate" and the man is swearing to his unmarried status.

http://www.catholicity.com/encyclopedia/m/marriage,banns_of.html

It seems to be used when banns are dispensed with:
http://www.upperstjohn.com/steluce/marriageterms.htm

[Sirenoftitan]

Thank you for the quick response and the links!