There are a few steps to get married in Rhode Island. You’ve already found the perfect partner, and you’re engaged! That’s the best. You can have any style of wedding you choose, but whatever your plans are, first you need to do certain things to have a legal marriage in RI. New England Ceremonies is here to help!
Understand the steps to get married in Rhode Island
Know that you need to get your marriage license before the ceremony can take place. Please note that Bonnie is a wedding officiant and will perform your legal ceremony, but she and New England Ceremonies cannot help you obtain your marriage license. This is something the two of you must do yourselves beforehand.
Time it right
You can get your license up to 90 days before the day of the ceremony. You can also get your marriage license on the same day you get married in Rhode Island! Just make sure you have all your documents in order, and you are good to go.
Gather your documents
To avoid having to make several trips to the town hall, it is important to gather the right documents that are necessary to present to the town clerk. The documents each of you must have are:
- Proof of Birth Facts, preferably a long-form certified copy of your birth certificates. For people born outside the US, a passport or alien card may be accepted if you cannot obtain a birth record. Please note, you cannot bring just a copy of your birth certificate. They will send you home to get a certified copy.
- Valid government issued form of photo identification, such as your driver’s license.
- If your address is different than the address on your license, some city halls need proof of current address.
- If you’ve been married before and are divorced or widowed, you need to bring your final divorce decree(s) or certified copy of the death certificate(s).
For complete marriage license document requirements, check this pdf at the Rhode Island Department of Health.
FUN FACT: You will have to know the state both of your parents were born in. Why do they need to know this? I have no idea! If your parents were born out of the country, you need to know the country.
You will need to know your social security number.
Head to city hall
You both must go together to the correct town or city hall during their business hours. You go to the City or Town Clerk’s office in the city or town hall where you live in Rhode Island. For example, if your address is in Providence, go to Providence City Hall.
If you and your fiancé live in different towns in RI, you can go to either town hall. If only one of you lives in RI, go to the town hall of the Rhode Island resident. If you both live outside of Rhode Island, you go to the city or town hall where the ceremony is taking place. Inside, follow signs that say, “City Clerk” or “Town Clerk”. Sometimes it will say “Office of Vital Records”. Sometimes the office is hilariously hard to find (looking at you, Woonsocket).
Bring all your documents! Go together! The cost of obtaining a marriage license is $24. They will have you fill out a worksheet while you are there. Again, the worksheet will ask many questions including where both of your parents were born, and for your social security number.
Contact the city or town office where you will apply for the license to verify the requirements and their hours of operation. Here is a handy list of all the town halls in Rhode Island from ri.gov.
FUN FACT: You do not need a blood test of any kind to get married in Rhode Island!
Book your officiant
Now that you have your marriage license, contact New England Ceremonies to schedule a date to get married! Yes, we do same-day ceremonies. We will do any type of ceremony you like; the simplest of license signings, eloping in our little indoor ceremony space in Bristol, RI, or a full-on wedding at your dream venue. Don’t forget to bring your marriage license to the ceremony on the big day! 😉
Find your witnesses
In Rhode Island, two adults must witness the ceremony in order for it to be valid. They also must sign the marriage license after the ceremony, along with the officiant. The witnesses can be anyone over 18 years of age. If you do not have 2 witnesses, New England Ceremonies can provide them for a small fee as long as we have 48 hour’s notice.
Get married!
Now it’s time to get married for real! We marry everyone! Remember, simply getting your marriage license does not make you married, you must have a ceremony with a legally ordained officiant and two witnesses. You can have any kind of ceremony the two of you want, from the most basic to the most elaborate. This part is entirely up to you!
After the ceremony, the officiant will immediately complete your marriage license and sign it. Then the two adult witnesses also must sign it. Yes we know, in black ink!
Filing the marriage license
There is one more step. Within 72 hours, the marriage license must be filed back to the town or city hall it came from. Part of the officiating service at New England Ceremonies includes filing your marriage license the following business day. Some couples choose to bring it back themselves for various reasons, and that is fine too!
Pick up your marriage certificate
After the completed marriage license is filed, you can go back to the same city or town hall and pick up your official marriage certificate anytime during their business hours. This time only one of you has to go, you don’t have to go together. Bring your photo ID. New England Ceremonies does not and cannot obtain your marriage certificate, you have to do that yourselves.
You can do this immediately, there is no waiting period. They will probably ask you to wait 20 minutes or so at the counter while they get everything together and printed. You can also arrange to have it mailed to you. The cost is $22 for the first copy.
FUN FACT: Once the license is filed with the state, you are legally married whether you go pick up a copy of your marriage certificate or not! But we recommend having a copy on hand for yourselves.
The marriage certificate is your legal document. This is the document you will need for any name change, insurance purposes, etc. It is the proof you are now a legally married couple. Congratulations!
Please call or text New England Ceremonies at 401-684-0085 with any questions about the steps to get married in Rhode Island!
