In the case of a person who is not a martyr,  but who died leaving behind a reputation of holiness (fama sanctitatis), may have a process of beatification opened as early as five years after death (a period of time that is necessary to let emotions and rushing to die down, as they are bad counsellors), but before the deadline of 30 years. This process is opened in the diocese where the Servant of God either died or lived the longest during the last ten years of his/her life, or where there were the closest relations. Indeed, it is necessary to receive testimony from witnesses who are both for and against the case, as witnesses are most likely to have known the Servant of God at various times of his/her life.
         A petitioner, who promotes a particular cause pays the costs of the process, and chooses a postulator who petitions the bishop to open the process. The bishop, once he has made proper verifications and consultations, may accept the petition. Theologians then review published writings to make sure that they are holy, orthodox, and moral. Historians  gather all other types of documents that will be useful to understand the life of the Servant of God. But the process is built upon the testimonies of witnesses, if any (a recent cause as opposed to an ancient cause). A closed ecclesiastical tribunal comprised of a judge, a notary, and a promoter of justice (in a way the representative of the promoter of justice is the equivalent of the devil's advocate in Rome, making sure guidelines are followed), receives the testimony of the various witnesses. All involved in the proceedings are required to take oaths. The postulator does not attend the proceedings but will sign all the acts at the very end of the process.