2023 -- H 5443
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LC000207
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S TATE OF RHODE IS LAND
IN GENERAL ASSEMBLY
JANUARY SESSION, A.D. 2023
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A N A C T
RELATING TO DOMESTIC RELATIONS -- SOLEMNIZATION OF MAR RIAGES
Introduced By: Representatives Ajello, Knight, Batista, J. Lombardi, Kislak, Shallcross
Smith, Cruz, Handy, Tanzi, and Felix
Date Introduced: February 08, 2023
Referred To: House Judiciary
It is enacted by the General Assembly as follows:
SECTION 1. Section 15-3-12 of the General Laws in Chapter 15-3 entitled "Solemnization 1
of Marriages" is hereby amended to read as follows: 2
15-3-12. Endorsement and return of license. 3
(a) Every minister, elder, justice, warden, or other person who joins any persons in 4
marriage, shall: 5
(b)(1) Endorse the “License and Certificate of Marriage” form, prescribed pursuant to § 6
15-2-7, presented to him or her by the persons, as provided in § 15-3-7, and certify that the persons 7
have been joined in marriage by him or her in accordance with the laws of the state of Rhode Island; 8
and 9
(c)(2) Complete all the information on the “License and Certificate of Marriage” and file 10
the form within seventy-two (72) hours two (2) business days following the date of the marriage 11
with the clerk in the town or city from which the license was issued; provided, that a filed form that 12
is mailed and postmarked within the time specified shall be deemed to have been filed in a timely 13
manner. 14
SECTION 2. This act shall take effect upon passage. 15
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LC000207 - Page 2 of 2
EXPLANATION
BY THE LEGISLATIVE COUNCIL
OF
A N A C T
RELATING TO DOMESTIC RELATIONS -- SOLEMNIZATION OF MAR RIAGES
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This act would require returns of a marriage certificate to be filed within two (2) business 1
days after the ceremony, and would validate the common practice of filing the return by mail. 2
This act would take effect upon passage. 3
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LC000207
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