Rhode Island Marriage Records

Rhode Island's first statewide registration of vital events, including marriages, dates to 1853. Before that, marriages were recorded locally by town or city clerks, with some older records housed at the state archives. Recent data shows that the Rhode Island marriage rate is slightly lower than the national average. The state reports a marriage rate of 5.9 marriages per 1,000 residents against 6.2 marriages per 1,000 people recorded as the U.S. average.

Rhode Island marriage records are the documents that confirm that two individuals meet the conditions to get married according to state laws. In Rhode Island, these documents include:

• Marriage Licenses: A marriage license is a pre-wedding document issued by the town or city clerk's office, granting two individuals the authority to conduct a wedding in Rhode Island. Marriage certificates contain the legal names of both parties, date of birth, gender, current residence, personal contact details of both parties, and information and signature of the officiant. In addition, marriage licenses hold information on the couple's previous marital status, parentage information for each party, the license number, the issue date, and the license expiry date.
• Marriage Certificates: A marriage certificate is a post-wedding document issued by the town or city clerk's office affirming that two people have been joined together in marriage. Usually, the officiant returns the marriage license to the town or city clerk's office after the wedding. The clerk records and files the marriage license and then creates the marriage certificate. A Rhode Island marriage certificate contains the couple's full names, gender, and date of birth, the date and location of marriage, parents' information, witness attestation, and the officiant's details. Marriage certificates also contain the filing number and unique certificate number.

How To Look Up Marriage Records in Rhode Island?

You may access certified copies of marriage records from Rhode Island from the following agencies:

• The Rhode Island Department of Health Vital Records holds marriage certificates issued from
• Cities and towns' clerks' offices provide access to all marriage licenses and marriage certificates issued from 1960 to the present.

Persons interested may order certified copies of marriage records from the state vital records office by mail, in person, or online. Online requests for marriage certificates are through an independent vendor approved by the state Vital Records Office. The service provider charges an extra fee, besides the certificate cost, to process and ship the document.

Persons ordering certified copies of marriage certificates in person or by mail may download and complete the Marriage or Civil Union Certificate form. Mail or drop the application form at:

In addition, you may order certified copies of marriage records from the town or city clerk's office. For marriage certificates issued in 2022 to date, record seekers can access the document at any town or city clerk's office, while if the marriage occurred before 2022, you may order the document from the town or city where the event occurred.

Generally, all requests for certified copies of marriage records may include the following:

• The full names of the couple
• The exact marriage date
• A copy of a valid government-issued photo ID
• A self-addressed, stamped envelope for a mail request
• The fees

Are Marriage Records Public in Rhode Island?

No. Under the Rhode Island Access to Public Records Act, marriage records are deemed closed records. Therefore, marriage records are not accessible to the general public. Request for marriage records is restricted to eligible persons for 100 years from the marriage date. Only eligible persons, including the couple, immediate family members, and legal representatives, may order certified copies of the marriage record. However, marriage records become public records after a 100-year lapse.

How Much Do Rhode Island Marriage Records Cost?

It costs $22 to order a certified copy of Rhode Island marriage records in person at the state Office of Vital Records and $25 when the document is ordered by mail. At the town and city clerk's office, certified copies of marriage records cost between $22-$30 per copy of the document. Extra copies of marriage certificates ordered with the original document cost $18.

The Office of Vital Records in Rhode Island charges an additional $7 as a rush fee to expedite the processing of the document. Online requests include an additional charge of $10 - $15 for processing and shipping the document.

It takes the Rhode Island Office of Vital Records 2-4 weeks to process mail requests for marriage certificates. Rush requests may be processed within 5-7 business days. In-person requests are typically processed on the same day. Similarly, mail requests for marriage records at the town or city clerk's office are processed within 2 weeks, while in-person requests are processed within 30 minutes.

Is It Possible to Make Your Marriage Records Confidential in Rhode Island?

Rhode Island does not offer a "confidential marriage" option. Unlike states that permit residents to obtain a confidential marriage license, which would restrict the marriage certificate to everyone, including eligible requesters, Rhode Island has no such mechanism. Instead, marriage records are closed to the public and become accessible after a predetermined period. Similarly, the state offers no legal pathway for couples to seal their marriage records.

How Do I Verify the Authenticity of Rhode Island Marriage Records?

Marriage records confirm the legal union between two individuals. Therefore, it is essential to verify the authenticity of your marriage records to ensure the document is valid for personal, legal, and administrative purposes. Generally, you may verify the authenticity of your marriage record for immigration and travel processes, validate your marriage's legality during divorce proceedings, claim joint tax benefits, claim assets, change your legal name, or trace your family history.

You may verify the authenticity of your marriage records at the Rhode Island Office of Vital Records or the town or city clerk's offices. You may request to view the document to compare the seal, signature, and format against the document you hold to ensure that the record matches the official records, or request a certified copy of the record.

All certified copies of marriage records in Rhode Island contain security features that guarantee the document's authenticity. Certified marriage records contain a raised, embossed seal reading " State of Rhode Island and Providence Plantations", the state Registrar's signature, and a unique certificate number. In addition, certified marriage records are printed on security-treated paper with a watermark to deter copying and alteration.

Can I Find Rhode Island Marriage Records Online for Free?

Yes. While certified copies require your eligibility to obtain the document, you may still access informational copies of Rhode Island marriage records from non-governmental sources.

FamilySearch.org provides free access to historical Rhode Island marriage records. The database hosts marriage licenses, bonds, certificates, and indexes of marriage records from the 1600s to the early 20th century. Some collections may include scanned images of the original marriage documents.

Ancestry.com provides a database of marriage records, searchable by name, date, and location. The platform provides free access to the Rhode Island marriage index from 1851 to 1930. A subscription is required to view images of marriage certificates or licenses. However, you can access Ancestry Library Edition on-site at participating public libraries.

PublicRecords.us aggregates records from multiple local and state databases to provide a vast repository of vital records, including Rhode Island marriage records. The platform provides access to more recent marriage records. Users may access basic marriage information, such as the couple's names, marriage dates, and location of marriage on the platform. Detailed information may require a minimal fee.

What Is Required to Get a Rhode Island Marriage License?

Persons getting married in Rhode Island must fulfill state requirements and submit appropriate documentation. These include:

• Both parties must be at the town or city clerk's office to purchase the license.
• The couple must be 18 years old to get married without exception. Persons under 18 may get married with parental or legal guardian consent.
• Both parties must present a valid government-issued photo ID.
• A copy of their birth certificate.
• A divorce decree or death certificate if either party was previously married.
• The marriage license fee.

It costs $24 to obtain a marriage license in Rhode Island. Marriage is issued the same day you apply and is valid from the issue date. However, marriage licenses are valid for 90 days. If you do not get married within that window, Rhode Island law requires you to return the unused certificate to the issuing clerk's office and reapply for a new license.

Can You Amend Marriage Records in Rhode Island?

Rhode Island allows amendments to marriage records primarily to correct errors or omissions. The errors include:

• Clerical or factual errors, such as misspelled names, incorrect dates, or transposed information
• Documentation errors, such as incorrectly recorded divorce/death certificates for prior marriages, or missing parental information on the license
• Legal name changes
• Parental adjustment, such as adding or correcting parental details due to adjustment

Amending the Rhode Island Marriage License

If you notice inaccuracies on your marriage license, you can fix the error by contacting the town or city clerk's office that issued the document. All marriage license amendments must be requested with both parties present at the clerk's office.

Submit a written application stating the incorrect information on the license and stating the accurate information. Notarize the application and include documents supporting the correct information. The clerk will cross out the mistake, print the correction next to it, and stamp the change. Rhode Island does not specify a fee to correct errors on marriage licenses.

Amending the Rhode Island Marriage Certificate

To amend your marriage certificate, submit a written, notarized amendment request to the State Office of Vital Records. Clearly state the error and specify the correct information. To submit the amendment request, include a copy of the marriage certificate with the error and other documents supporting the correction, such as a birth certificate, a valid government-issued photo ID, or a court order. It costs $10 to amend a marriage record, $22 for a copy of the amended certificate if ordered in person, and $25 if requested by mail.