Get your certified Rhode Island Marriage Certificate

The fee for a certified copy of a Rhode Island marriage certificate varies by county and ordering method. When ordering through VitalRecordsOnline.com, processing fees apply in addition to the state or county fee. Contact your local vital records office or county clerk for the exact current fee schedule. Expedited processing and shipping options are available for an additional charge.

Yes, you can order a Rhode Island marriage certificate online through VitalRecordsOnline.com. The online process allows you to submit your application, provide required information, and pay securely. Online orders are typically processed faster than mail-in requests. You will need to provide identifying information about both spouses and the date and location of the marriage.

In Rhode Island, the individuals named on the marriage certificate, their immediate family members, legal representatives, and those with a direct and tangible interest may request a certified copy. Third-party requestors typically need to provide a notarized authorization letter from one of the parties named on the certificate, along with valid identification and a statement explaining the purpose of the request.

Rhode Island marriage records are generally considered public records. However, access to certified copies may be limited to authorized individuals such as the parties named on the certificate, their family members, or those with a legitimate legal need. Informational or non-certified copies may be available for genealogical research and other purposes. Contact the Rhode Island vital records office for specific access policies.

A marriage license is the document you obtain before your wedding that legally authorizes you to marry in Rhode Island. A marriage certificate is the official record proving your marriage took place. After your ceremony, the officiant signs the license and returns it to the appropriate office for filing. Once recorded, it becomes the official marriage certificate. You need the certificate for legal purposes like name changes, insurance benefits, tax filing, and immigration applications.

You can obtain a certified copy of a Rhode Island marriage certificate from the state vital records office, the county clerk or recorder where the marriage was filed, or online through VitalRecordsOnline.com. For older records, you may need to contact the county directly or the state archives. Processing times vary by method, with online and in-person requests typically being the fastest options.

If you lose your marriage certificate:

1. Submit an application for a certified replacement copy by mail or online through VRO. You will need to complete the application, gather the required identification and documents, and pay the fees determined by the RIDOH.
2. 1. For applying by mail: Send your application, documents, and a check or money order for the replacement fee to the RIDOH at:
      RI Department of Health,
      Office of Vital Records,
      6 Harrington Rd.,
      Cranston, RI 02920
      
   2. For online submissions: Complete the application and upload your documents through the VRO website (payable by credit card online).
2. RIDOH will mail the certified copy(s) after processing.

Changes to a marriage certificate require an addendum since no entity can alter the original document. The conditions vary depending on the correction or addition. In Rhode Island, some amendments may require a court order, necessitating the assistance of an attorney.

Correcting or amending marriage records usually will require the following:

1. A completed amendment application: RI requirements vary by the requested changes. Refer to the Requirements and Fees for Changes Instruction form.
2. Supporting documentation: Correcting or amending a name on a marriage certificate in Rhode Island requires several documents. First, you need an amended birth certificate. Additionally, you must provide a copy of a government-issued photo ID, such as a driver's license, passport, military ID, certificate of naturalization, or alien registration card. If you are a resident of Rhode Island, you will also need a probate court order from the probate court in your city or town. Refer to the Requirements and Fees for Changes Instruction form.
3. Appropriate fee(s): Amendment fees for the Rhode Island marriage certificate include a $10.00 fee to change the record. For a copy of the changed record, the cost is $22.00 for in-person requests and $25.00 for mail submissions.

Apostilles can be requested from the Rhode Island Department of State or Vital Records Online (VRO). VRO offers reliable apostille services in all 50 states and is legally recognized by governments and organizations in over 100 countries.

An apostille is necessary to certify vital records for use in another country. The Rhode Island Department of State issues apostilles for vital records originally filed with the RIDOH.

You will need to provide the following information:

1. Authentication Submittal Form
2. Certified marriage record certificate (Note that this MUST come from the state health department, not from a county office. If you have a certificate you requested from a local office, you must order a new one. All Rhode Island certificates ordered via Vital Records Online come from the state health department.)
3. $5.00 per document via check or money order made payable to RI Department of State
4. Self-addressed envelope only if expedited delivery is needed

For standard or express shipping (UPS, DHL, or Federal Express), submit the request to the physical address: