Can we baptize our baby in the Catholic Church even though we aren't married?
The short answer
Yes — in fact Catholic parents are obliged to have their child baptized within the first few weeks. For lawful baptism there must be a founded hope that the child will be raised Catholic; if that hope is entirely lacking, baptism is delayed.
An obligation
Parents must see that infants are baptized in the first few weeks, going to the pastor soon after birth or even before to request the sacrament and be prepared (CIC 867 §1).
Founded hope
For lawful baptism there must be a founded hope that the child will be brought up Catholic. If that hope is altogether lacking, baptism is delayed after the parents are told why (CIC 868 §1).
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