Title 15
Domestic Relations

Chapter 2
Marriage Licenses

R.I. Gen. Laws § 15-2-1

§ 15-2-1. License required — Proof of divorce — Obligation of clerk to issue license.

(a) Persons intending to be joined together in marriage in this state must first obtain a license from the clerk of the town or city in which:

(1) Either party to the proposed marriage resides; or

(2) The proposed marriage is to be performed, if both parties are nonresidents of this state.

(b) Before any license shall be issued to any person who, having been previously married or a party to another relationship that provides substantially the same rights, benefits and responsibilities as a marriage, has been divorced, the person shall present to the town or city clerk an authenticated copy of the decree granting the divorce or an authenticated copy of the final dissolution of the previous relationship.

(c) The town or city clerk shall issue a license to any person eligible to marry under the provisions of chapter 15-1.

History of Section.
G.L. 1896, ch. 191, § 10; P.L. 1898, ch. 549, § 1; G.L. 1909, ch. 243, § 10; P.L. 1909, ch. 430, § 1; G.L. 1923, ch. 287, § 10; P.L. 1927, ch. 1064, § 1; P.L. 1938, ch. 2580, § 1; G.L. 1938, ch. 415, § 10; G.L. 1956, § 15-2-1; P.L. 1961, ch. 100, § 1; P.L. 1975, ch. 112, § 1; P.L. 2013, ch. 4, § 3; P.L. 2013, ch. 5, § 3.