Knights of Columbus membership requirements were clearly stated in the beginning of the Official Charter of 1882 (Article 101). They are as follows:

Membership in the Knights of Columbus is open to practising Catholic men in union with the Holy See, who are at least 18 years of age.

In recent years, the expression "PRACTISING CATHOLIC" has been questioned and given to improbable interpretations. It was with a view to settling such questions and interpretations that, at a Provincial conference, held in Montreal in April, 1993, the delegates present adopted Resolution 12A (based upon recommendations stemming from a general consultation of the membership). The following is the essence of that resolution:

• To be baptised a Catholic;
• to profess the Catholic Faith;
• live Christian practice in its dimensions:
  - of fraternity
  - of celebration
  - of education of the faith
  - of engagement with one's community
  

It is to be noted that marriage involves a dual reality:

• to a life of stability, that is to say, to involve oneself in a condition intended to be of a prolonged nature;
• to live a life of responsibility, that is, manifested by the assumption of parental obligations.