Rhode Island General Laws
Chapter 15-3 - Solemnization of Marriages
Section 15-3-15. - Marriages valid despite irregularities — Penalty for marriage without compliance.

§ 15-3-15. Marriages valid despite irregularities — Penalty for marriage without compliance.
(a) No marriage solemnized before a person professing to have a license to join persons in marriage as required by this chapter, or professing to be a justice of the supreme, superior, or family court, or a warden of the town of New Shoreham, or solemnized in the Society of Friends, or among persons professing the Jewish religion or Baha’i faith according to their respective rites and ceremonies, shall be deemed or adjudged to be void, nor shall the validity of the marriage be in any way affected by want of jurisdiction or authority in the person or Society nor by reason of noncompliance with any of the requirements of this chapter, if the marriage is in other respects lawful and has been performed with a full belief on the part of the persons so married, or either of them, that they have been lawfully joined in marriage.
(b) But whoever gives, or procures to be given, any false information as to the requirements under §§ 15-2-1 — 15-2-10, or whoever is married without duly proceeding as is required by chapters 1 — 3 of this title, shall be fined not exceeding fifty dollars ($50.00).
History of Section.G.L. 1896, ch. 191, § 22; P.L. 1898, ch. 549, § 1; C.P.A. 1905, § 1228; G.L. 1909, ch. 243, § 22; G.L. 1923, ch. 287, § 22; G.L. 1938, ch. 415, § 22; G.L. 1956, § 15-3-15; P.L. 1988, ch. 84, § 64.

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