Whether you're planning a small and intimate affair, or a large celebration, there are a few important things you should know while planning your wedding in Newport in order to make sure it's official.  

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Residency

If you currently live in Rhode Island

• If both persons live in Rhode Island, you may apply for a marriage license at the city or town hall where either party has legal residency;

• If only one person lives in Rhode Island, you must apply for a marriage license from the city or town hall where the Rhode Island resident lives; 

If you currently live outside of Rhode Island

• If neither person lives in Rhode Island, you must apply for a marriage license from the city or town hall of the city or town in which the marriage ceremony will be performed.  Applicants for a marriage license must know the city or town in which the marriage will be solemnized.   

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Required Documents

• All applicants must provide certified copies of birth certificates, which must include parents information, from the City, Town State office or Foreign Country where the birth occurred when applying for a marriage license.  Wallet size, photo copies and hospital records of birth are not accepted; 

• Valid Government issued photo ID which includes residence address;

What if one party has been married before?

• Any party who has been previously married must prove that the marriage has ended to the City Clerk's Office before a license to marry is issued;  

• The City Clerk must be presented with a certified copy (a copy that includes a raised state seal or similar mark) of the decree granting the divorce or an authenticated copy of the final dissolution of the previous relationship; 

• If the other party to that relationship is deceased, a certified copy of the death certificate must be presented;   
• Certified copy of Change of Name Order, if applicable;
• Certified documents from a foreign country must be accompanied by a Certified Translation of the documents; this includes birth certificates, death certificates or divorce decreees which appear in a foreign language.