Marriage licenses in Rhode Island are handled locally, and the details that matter — the fee, the wait, how long the license lasts — are set by state law. This page collects the statewide rules from Rhode Island’s own official sources, then links every county guide we have verified so far.
The statewide rules
- Who issues the license: City or town clerk — of either party’s city/town of residence if both parties live in RI; of the resident’s city/town if only one lives in RI; of the ceremony city/town if neither lives in RI
- License fee (statewide): $24
- Waiting period: None
- License validity: 90 days (three months)
- Witnesses: Two witnesses age 18 or older must be present at the ceremony
- Minimum age: 18
- Residency / where to apply: Which clerk issues depends on residency (see issuer column); a license issued to RI residents is valid statewide; a license issued to nonresidents is valid only in the city or town where it was issued
- Who can officiate: Officiants authorized under R.I. Gen. Laws Title 15 ch. 3 (judges, justices of the peace and clergy); the full statutory list is not reproduced on the opened pages
- Courthouse ceremonies: No — the Cranston City Clerk page states expressly that the clerk’s office does not host or perform marriage ceremonies or serve as witnesses
Rhode Island counties in this directory
We have published 5 verified county guides for Rhode Island so far. License fees on the verified county pages currently run from $24 to $24. 0 of them publish a separate ceremony fee. Browse them all: Browse all Rhode Island county guides — and use the search on the homepage to jump straight to your county.
Source for the statewide rules: https://www.cranstonri.gov/departments/city-clerk-records-and-licenses/marriage-licenses-and-requirements/ (checked 2026-11-09). County figures are checked separately against each county’s own official page and carry their own verified dates. Always confirm with your county clerk before you go — this is not a government site.