How to Get a Marriage License in Rhode Island
Rhode Island marriage license at a glance
- License fee
- $24 (statewide statutory fee; town/city clerk)
- Waiting period
- none
- Minimum age
- 18 without consent
- Blood test
- no
Confirm the fee before you go. check the exact, current fee on the issuing county clerk's own fee schedule. This page is informational only and is not legal advice.
Couples seeking a marriage license in Rhode Island must apply in person at their town or city clerk's office. Rhode Island residents apply in the town where they reside, while non-residents apply in the town where the ceremony will take place. The statewide license fee is $24. There is no waiting period, and the license remains valid for three months from the date of issuance. Applicants must present a government-issued photo ID and proof of age.
Rhode Island permits marriage for those 18 years and older without consent. Those aged 16 or 17 may marry with parental consent, and those under 16 may marry with both parental consent and approval from the family court. No blood test or witnesses are required. Prospective applicants should confirm the exact current fee and all eligibility requirements by contacting their town or city clerk's office or visiting the official Rhode Island state government website before applying, as rules and procedures may change.
What a marriage license actually is
A marriage license is the government document that authorizes your marriage; you apply for it before the ceremony, and once it’s signed and returned it becomes your marriage record. The fee, waiting period and ID rules below are what each state and county sets — always confirm the exact current amount with the issuing clerk.
| Requirement | Rhode Island |
|---|---|
| License fee | $24 (statewide statutory fee; town/city clerk) |
| Fee set by | State (statewide) |
| Waiting period | none |
| License validity | 3 months |
| ID required | government photo ID; proof of age |
| Residency required | RI residents apply in their town of residence; non-residents apply in the town of the ceremony |
| Minimum age | 18 without consent; 16-17 with parental consent; under 16 with consent AND family-court approval |
| Blood test | no |
| Witnesses | no witnesses required |
| Online option | no — apply in person at the town/city clerk |
| Where to apply | Town/City Clerk (statewide $24 fee) |
| Governing law | Set by state statute — refer to your state’s official statutes and the issuing County Clerk for the governing rule |
Full Rhode Island requirements → · Fees & waiting → · How to apply → · Look up another state →
Compiled from public-record Rhode Island marriage law and the issuing agency, verified June 2026. Primary source → · How we compile this. Informational only — not legal advice.