How to Become a Catholic Godparent — Requirements & Steps

When my sister asked me to be godmother to her first baby, I was honored — and then I had questions. What exactly did I have to do? Did I need a certificate? Was I even allowed, given that I had drifted from the Church for years? If you have been asked to be a godparent, you are probably wondering the same things. Here is everything you need to know about how to become a Catholic godparent.

What Is a Godparent?

A godparent is a spiritual sponsor at Baptism who promises, in the presence of the Church, to help the child grow in the faith. It is a beautiful and serious role: you are not just a ceremonial guest — you are a witness who stands with the parents and the child on one of the most important days of the child’s life. The promises you make are made to God, and they carry real weight in the life of the family.

The Requirements to Be a Godparent

Canon law is clear about who can serve. To be a godparent, you must:

• Be at least 16 years old, unless the pastor makes an exception.
• Be a fully initiated Catholic: baptized, confirmed, and having received the Eucharist. If you were baptized Catholic but never confirmed, you will need to be confirmed first — our article on the Catholic confirmation age explains the process.
• Lead a life in harmony with the faith, which in practice means attending Mass and being an active, practicing Catholic.
• Not be the parent of the child being baptized.

That last point surprises people: mom and dad can’t also be godparents to their own child.

What If You’re Not Catholic or Not Confirmed?

If you are a baptized Christian from another denomination, you cannot be a godparent in the Catholic sense — but you can serve as a Christian witness, standing alongside a Catholic godparent. The Church asks that there be at least one Catholic godparent, with a baptized Christian of another community permitted as the second witness. If you are Catholic but never received Confirmation, the path is simple: complete your initiation. Many adults do this through RCIA; see our guide to how to become Catholic for the steps.

How Many Godparents Can a Child Have?

One or two. If there are two, they must be one man and one woman. Many families choose two godparents, but one is entirely sufficient and very common. The same person can serve as godparent for multiple children and can also serve as a confirmation sponsor later on, which is a lovely continuity for the family.

Steps to Become a Godparent

1. Say yes — thoughtfully. This is a commitment, not a formality.
2. Get your letter of eligibility. Most parishes require a certificate or letter from your home parish confirming you are a practicing, confirmed Catholic. Some parishes have a simple form; others ask for a letter from the pastor. This step takes a few weeks, so start early.
3. Attend a baptism preparation session. Many parishes offer a short class for parents and godparents, often a single evening.
4. Show up. On the day of the baptism, stand with the family, answer the priest’s questions, and hold the child if asked. You will renew the baptismal promises on the child’s behalf.

What a Godparent Actually Does

The job doesn’t end at the font. A good godparent prays for the child every day, remembers birthdays and baptism anniversaries, gives gifts that point to the faith, and walks beside the family through the years. You are a second pair of spiritual eyes and hands. Some godparents make a point of attending the child’s First Communion and Confirmation — where they may be asked to serve as sponsor again. If you would like to understand the sacrament more deeply, our article on Catholic baptism meaning is a great read.

A Gift That Never Stops Giving

One tradition many godparents love: request a Mass intention for the child on their baptism anniversary or birthday each year, or join an online Catholic Mass with them as they grow. It is a quiet, powerful way to live out the promise you made at the font — year after year, long after the ceremony is a memory.