How to Find Rhode Island Marriage Records

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How To Find U.S. Marriage Records How To Find Rhode Island Marriage Records

Finding Rhode Island Marriage Records

• 1805 Rhode Island laws required counties to record marriages
• 1 April 1867, the county clerk began to forward marriage records to the secretary of state
• An additional 1905 law resulted in greater statewide compliance
• Rhode Islandmarriage records are not restricted and can be ordered by anyone during any time period

Next Step: When did the marriage occur?

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Marriage Records

Choose a time period:

• Before 1820
• 1805 to 1867
• 1867 to 1925
• 1926 to 1935
• 1936 to Present
• Marriage year unknown

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Learn more about U.S. Marriage Records

Marriages Before 1820

• Before 1805, no marriages were recorded by the county or state
• 1805 to 1820 very few records exist

If you cannot locate your ancestor in the databases below, try searching for marriage information in other records.

1. Look first in	2. Then search
Church Records Newspapers Military Records Obituaries	Census Records Cemetery Records Death Records Bible Records

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Marriages 1820 to 1867

Rhode Island Marriage Database - Includes Index and Digital Images
Try:
	Michigan, County Marriages, 1820-1867	Free; name index with images online at FamilySearch. Does not include the following counties: Alger, Alpena, Barry, Eaton, Gladwin, Kalkaska, Kent, Lenawee, Missaukee, Monroe, Montmorency, Oceana, Oscoda, Schoolcraft, and Shiawassee.
Can't find your ancestor in the online index?		Tips for searching online indexes
No marriage record for your ancestor?		Search for Gretna Greens-- locations away from the home county where marriage laws were less restrictive. Other records with marriage information

Marriage Records on Microfilm
Some county marriage records may be available on microfilm at your local Family Search Center. If you know the approximate date and county where the marriage took place, use the FamilySearch Catalog to see what is available.

• Search the FamilySearch Catalog by county.
• Select the topic Vital Records. Look for records authored by the county clerk.
• For a small fee, order the microfilm to view at a local Family Search Center.

Return to the Top: Choose another marriage year

Marriages 1868 to 1925

Rhode Island Marriage Database - Includes Index and Digital Images
Try 1st:
	Michigan Marriages, 1868-1925	Free; most counties 1868-1925: Free name index with images online at FamilySearch. Records include such information as names of bride and groom, date of license, ages, race, residences, birthplaces, occupations and names of the fathers of the bride and groom.
Try 2nd:
	Michigan, County Marriages, 1868-1925	Free; name index with images online at FamilySearch. Does not include the following counties: Alger, Alpena, Barry, Eaton, Gladwin, Kalkaska, Kent, Lenawee, Missaukee, Monroe, Montmorency, Oceana, Oscoda, Schoolcraft, and Shiawassee.
Can't find your ancestor in the online index?		Tips for searching online indexes
No marriage record for your ancestor?		Search for Gretna Greens-- locations away from the home county where marriage laws were less restrictive. Other records with marriage information

Marriage Records on Microfilm
Some county marriage records may be available on microfilm at your local Family Search Center. If you know the approximate date and county where the marriage took place, use the FamilySearch Catalog to see what is available.

• Search the FamilySearch Catalog by county.
• Select the topic Vital Records. Look for records authored by the county clerk.
• For a small fee, order the microfilm to view at a local Family Search Center.

Return to the Top: Choose another marriage year

Marriages 1926 to 1935

Rhode Island Marriage Database - Includes Index and Digital Images
Try 1st:
	Michigan, County Marriages, 1926-1935	Free; most counties 1925-1936: Free name index with images online at FamilySearch. Does not include the following counties: Alger, Alpena, Barry, Eaton, Gladwin, Kalkaska, Kent, Lenawee, Missaukee, Monroe, Montmorency, Oceana, Oscoda, Schoolcraft, and Shiawassee.
Try 2nd:
	County Clerk	If you do not find your ancestor in the marriage index you may order a marriage record. Contact the county clerk where you think the marriage took place. It is usually less expensive to order a marriage record from the county clerk, so begin your search with the county clerk.
Try 3rd:
	Rhode Island Department of Health	If you do not find your ancestor in the marriage index you may order a marriage record.Contact theRhode IslandDepartment of Public Health. If you are unsure about the marriage year, the Rhode Island Department of Public Health charges $12 more for each year searched. It is usually less expensive to order a marriage record from the county clerk, so begin your search with the county clerk.
Can't find your ancestor in the online index?		Tips for searching online indexes
No marriage record for your ancestor?		Search for Gretna Greens-- locations away from the home county where marriage laws were less restrictive. Other records with marriage information

Marriage Records on Microfilm
Some county marriage records may be available on microfilm at your local Family Search Center. If you know the approximate date and county where the marriage took place, use the FamilySearch Catalog to see what is available.

• Search the FamilySearch Catalog by county.
• Select the topic Vital Records. Look for records authored by the county clerk.
• For a small fee, order the microfilm to view at a local Family Search Center.

Return to the Top: Choose another marriage year

Marriages 1936 to Present

Marriage licenses may be found in the county records where the marriage occurred.

STEP ONE: Find Marriage Information

• Copies may be ordered from the county clerk.

• Copies may be ordered from the Rhode Island Department of Public Health.

To Order Marriage Certificates
From County where Marriage occurred		From MI Dept. of Health State office
Pros	Cons	Pros	Cons
May be less expensive and faster than ordering from the state	County websites can be more difficult to use	Offers a search of the state index for an additional fee	May be more expensive than ordering from the county

Ask for the marriage license or the marriage register, not the marriage certificate. The license or register usually contains more information.

Return to the Top: Choose another marriage year

Wiki Articles

• Learn more about U.S. marriage records
• How to find U.S. birth records
• How to find U.S. marriage records
• How to find U.S. death records
• United States Record Selection Table
• United States, How to Use Marriage Records
• United States Marriage Records
• United States Vital Records
• U.S. Vital Records Overview
• Locating United States Vital Records
• Rhode Island Marriage Records (FamilySearch Historical Records)/Known Issues

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