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City of Providence exact answer

Are witnesses required for a marriage in City of Providence?

This answer belongs to the issuing office and task named above. It does not substitute a statewide summary or infer a rule the office does not publish.

Direct answer

In City of Providence, at least two witnesses aged 18 or over, in addition to the officiant, must witness the marriage for it to be valid. If the honor attendants are under 18, two other people aged 18 or over must sign as witnesses. The officiant collects the witnesses' signatures and completes the officiant and witness portion of the license.

Published rule and conditions

Marriage ceremony witness rule
At least two witnesses aged 18 or over, in addition to the officiant, must witness the marriage for it to be valid. If the honor attendants are under 18, two other people aged 18 or over must sign as witnesses.

The officiant collects the witnesses' signatures and completes the officiant and witness portion of the license.

Official requirement

In addition to the officiant, at least two other people, age 18 or older, must witness the marriage for it to be valid.

Issuing office

City of Providence Department of Vital Statistics (Vital Records)

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Official sources for this answer

  • General Marriage Requirements in the State of Rhode Island (VS-134)Rhode Island Department of Health, Center for Vital Records - checked July 30, 2026

    Form VS-134 (Rev. 1/2025). Both people getting married must apply for a marriage license in person at the city or town clerk’s office before the wedding ceremony. Then both people must sign the marriage worksheet and the marriage license in the presence of the city or town clerk. A marriage license costs $24. A marriage license is valid for 3 months. The license will include the dates that it is valid, and the ceremony must happen during those dates. In addition to the officiant, at least two other people, age 18 or older, must witness the marriage for it to be valid. Officiants who are in good standing with their ministry are not required to register with any government office before they perform a marriage ceremony. Return the marriage license to the city or town clerk’s office where it was issued within 72 hours of the marriage ceremony. If the people do not get married, the license must be returned to the city or town hall where it was issued.

Answer boundary

MarriageLicenseCheck is an independent reference, not the issuing office or legal advice. Applicant facts, timing, prior marriages, and document type can change the result. The official office decides what it will accept.

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