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FeedThe Ceremony
Who can marry you?
Photography by Marcie Revens
“It’s true, in Rhode Island, a plain justice of the peace cannot officiate weddings,” says Camera. “They must also be a judge, sitting or retired, or a clerk of the court, sitting or retired. We just advertise under the heading of justice of the peace because people relate to it. If I advertised under chief clerk, no one would find me!”
A few more rules to consider:
- Judges and justices of the peace from out of state cannot perform marriage ceremonies in Rhode Island.
- In Rhode Island, ministers must obtain a license to perform weddings from a city or town clerk.
- Wardens of the town of New Shoreham on Block Island can marry couples only on Block Island.
- The police court of the town of Johnston can conduct weddings.
- If you’re going abroad, remember that American diplomatic and consular officers cannot legally perform marriages; they are generally performed by a local religious or civil official.
- The captain of a ship can only officiate if he or she is a justice of the peace, judge, minister, or other recognized officiant such as a notary public.
