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Marriage Laws U.S. Rhode Island RI Wedding Officiants

Marriage license Laws in the state of Rhode Island, here is what you need to bring with you, and what you need to know about the Rhode Island marriage laws before applying for the Rhode Island marriage license or civil union license application.

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Marriage License in Rhode Island

Much of the information below is state law, however this information can change from county to county. We recommend contacting your County Clerk's Office before applying for your marriage license.

ID Requirement:

Proof of birth facts should be supplied, preferably in the form of certified copies of both the bride and groom's birth certificates. For persons born outside the United States who cannot obtain a birth record, a passport or alien
card is acceptable.

Residency Requirement:

No. However, the marriage license must be obtained from the City or Town Clerk of the bride's residence, if the bride is a Rhode Island resident. If the bride is not a resident of Rhode Island, but the groom is, the license must be obtained from the City or Town Clerk of the groom's residence. In either case, the marriage license is valid in any city or town in Rhode Island and the couple may be married anywhere in Rhode Island.

If neither the bride nor the groom is a resident of Rhode Island, the marriage license must be obtained at the City or Town Clerk's Office where the ceremony is to take place. This is because Rhode Island law states that the marriage license is valid only in the city or town in which it was issued. If the marriage ceremony is performed in a city or town other than the city or town of issuance, the validity of the marriage record may be in question. Item 15c on the marriage license lists the location where the marriage license is valid.

If Previously Married:

• If either applicant has been married previously and that marriage ended in divorce, such applicant must present a certified copy of final decree of divorce to the City or Town Clerk.
  
  
• If either applicant has been married previously and that marriage ended in death, a certified copy of the death record should be presented to the City or Town Clerk.

Application Requirement:

Both the bride and groom, personally, must sign the marriage license in the presence of the City or Town Clerk or his/her assistant, attesting to the truth of the information listed thereon. No information on the marriage license may be changed by the bride or groom after the marriage license is issued. If any information is in error, the bride or groom should contact the state registrar after the marriage record has been filed.

Fees:

$24 - Cash Only.

Waiting Period:

No waiting period in Rhode Island.

Blood Tests:

No test.

Under 18:

A Minor's Permit to marry (VS 10) must be completed if a female applicant is 16 or 17 years of age. The permit must be signed and notarized in the presence of the City or Town Clerk or any clerk employed in that office. If this is not possible, contact the State Office of Vital Records for instructions.

• A female under age 16 and a male under age 18 cannot secure a marriage license in the State of Rhode Island without the approval of the Family Court.
  
  
• Applicants must be 18 or older to obtain a marriage license.

Solemnization of Marriage:

The solemnization of marriage shall be in the presence of at least two witnesses (who have reached the age of majority), in addition to the officiant at the marriage.

Proxy Marriages:

No. Both parties must be present.

Common Law Marriage:

No.

Cousin Marriage:

Yes. A man can not marry his aunt, but can marry his cousin. A woman, by the way, may marry her uncle providing she is Jewish.

Officiants:

Everyone who has been, or is, the minister of any society professing to meet for religious purposes, or incorporated for the promotion of such purposes, and holding stated and regular services, and who has been ordained according to the customs and usages of such society may perform marriages.

Ministers must obtain a license from the city or town clerk before performing marriages. Ministers must endorse and return the marriage license to the town or city clerk in which the marriage was performed.

Valid:

License is valid for 90 days.
The license can only be used within the State of Rhode Island.

Copy of Certificate of Marriage:

Division of Vital Records
Rhode Island Department of Health
3 Capitol Hill, Room 101
Providence, RI 02908-5097
Phone: (401) 222-2811

Please Note: State and county marriage license requirements often change. The above information is for guidance only and should not be regarded as legal advice.

It is important that you verify all information with your local marriage license office or county clerk before making any wedding or travel plans.

To notify us of corrections or additions send an email to update@usmarriagelaws.com.  Please include the state and county information.

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Rhode Island County Clerk's Office

Barrington Town Hall Barrington, RI 401. 247. 1900	Bristol Town Hall Bristol, RI 401. 253. 7000	Burriville Town Hall Harrisville, RI 401. 568. 4300
Central Falls City Hall Central Falls, RI 401. 727. 7400	Charlestown Town Hall Charlestown, RI 401. 364. 1200	Coventry Town Hall Coventry, RI 401. 822. 9173
Cranston City Hall Cranston, RI 401. 461. 1000 ext. 3197	Cumberland Town Hall Cumberland, RI 401. 728. 2400 ext. 38	East Greenwich Town Hall East Greenwich, RI 401. 886. 8604
East Providence City Hall East Providence, RI 401. 435. 7596	Exeter Town Hall Exeter, RI 401. 294. 3891	Foster Town Hall Foster, RI 401. 392. 9200
Glocester Town Hall Chepachet, RI 401. 568. 6206	Hopkinton Town Hall Hopkinton, RI 401. 377. 7777	Jamestown Town Hall Jamestown, RI 401. 423. 7200
Johnston Town Hall Johnston, RI 401. 553. 8830	Lincoln Town Hall Lincoln, RI 401. 333. 1100	Little Compton Town Hall Little Compton, RI 401. 635. 4400
Middletown Town Hall Middletown, RI 401. 847. 0009	Narragansett Town Hall Narragansett, RI 401. 789. 1044	New Shoreham Town Hall Block Island, RI 401. 466. 3200
Newport City Hall Newport, RI 401. 846. 9600	North Kingstown Town Hall North Kingstown, RI 401. 294. 3331	North Providence Town Hall North Providence, RI 401. 232. 0900
North Smithfield Town Hall latersville, RI 401. 767. 2200	Pawtucket City Hall Pawtucket, RI 401. 728. 0500 ext. 225	Portsmouth Town Hall Portsmouth, RI 401. 683. 2101
Providence City Hall Providence, RI 401. 421. 7740	Richmond Town Hall Wyoming, RI 401. 539. 2497	Scituate Town Hall North Scituate, RI 401. 647. 2822
Smithfield Town Hal Esmond, RI 401. 233. 1000	South Kingstown Town Hall Wakefield, RI 401. 789. 9331	Tiverton Town Hall Tiverton, RI 401. 625. 6700
Warren Town Hall Warren, RI 401. 245. 7340	Warwick City Hall Warwick, RI 401. 738. 2000 ext. 6212	West Greenwich Town Hall West Greenwich, RI 401. 392. 3800
West Warwick Town Hall West Warwick, RI 401. 822. 9200	Westerly Town Hall Westerly, RI 401. 348. 2506	Woonsocket City Hall Woonsocket, RI 401. 762. 6400 ext. 135

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