Rhode Island Divorce Decree

The phrase "divorce decree" in Rhode Island actually refers to two separate documents filed at two different times — and confusing them is one of the most common mistakes self-represented filers make. Many people leave the nominal hearing believing their divorce is final, only to discover months later that they are still legally married because they never filed the second document.

Here is how Rhode Island's two-step finalization works, what each document does, and the deadlines that govern the entire process.

The Two Documents That End a Rhode Island Marriage

Decision Pending Entry of Final Judgment (DPEFJ) — This is the first finalization document. After a judge grants the divorce at the nominal hearing (or trial), the prevailing party must draft and file the DPEFJ with the Family Court clerk within 30 days of the decision date. The DPEFJ must include a prominent warning: "This is NOT a final judgment of divorce. The parties remain legally married until entry by this court of a final judgment."

The DPEFJ does not dissolve your marriage. It is a formal record of the judge's decision, but the marriage remains legally intact.

Final Judgment — This is the document that actually ends the marriage. It must be filed after the nisi waiting period expires and within 180 days of the nisi expiration. Once a judge signs the Final Judgment and it is entered into the court record, the divorce is complete and both parties may remarry immediately.

The Nisi Waiting Period Between the Two Documents

The nisi period sits between the DPEFJ and the Final Judgment. For standard divorces based on irreconcilable differences or fault grounds, the nisi period is 90 days. For divorces based on three years of living separate and apart, it is compressed to 20 days.

During the nisi period, neither party can remarry. Doing so constitutes bigamy under Rhode Island law. All temporary orders — custody arrangements, child support, financial restraints — remain in full effect.

Critical Deadlines You Cannot Miss

Rhode Island imposes strict time limits on both finalization documents:

• 30 days from the hearing decision to file the DPEFJ
• 180 days after the nisi period expires to file the Final Judgment
• 270 days from the date of the DPEFJ (200 days in three-year-separation cases) — if the Final Judgment has not been entered by this point, you can only file it with written consent from both parties or by filing a Motion to Enter Final Judgment Out of Time

The out-of-time motion requires a court appearance where you must demonstrate good cause for the delay. This is avoidable paperwork and expense — calendar the deadlines as soon as the judge grants the divorce.

How to Get Certified Copies

You will need certified copies of the Final Judgment for practical purposes: name changes with the Social Security Administration, updating property deeds, changing beneficiaries on insurance policies, and refinancing mortgages.

Certified copies are available from the Family Court clerk's office in the county where the case was heard. Expect to pay approximately $3 to $5 per page. Request several copies at once — agencies typically require their own original certified copy rather than a photocopy.

The Guide and File Portal

Rhode Island's Guide and File portal, available through courts.ri.gov, is a free interactive tool that walks self-represented filers through generating the DPEFJ and Final Judgment forms. The portal asks plain-language questions and fills in the document templates based on your answers. It does not cover the initial complaint or DR-6 — only the post-hearing finalization paperwork.

You can also get help with these forms through the Virtual Family Clerk Help Desk, a video-conferencing service where court clerks answer procedural questions about filing. The help desk is available 8:45 a.m. to 3:30 p.m. on days the court is open, and litigants can also email [email protected].

Why the Two-Step System Matters for Your Planning

The practical effect of Rhode Island's two-step system is that even a smooth, uncontested divorce takes a minimum of about six months from filing to final. The hearing happens 65 to 75 days after filing, the DPEFJ must be filed within 30 days of the hearing, the nisi period runs 90 days after the DPEFJ entry, and then the Final Judgment must be filed and entered.

If you are planning a remarriage, a move, a property sale, or a name change, you need the Final Judgment — not just the hearing decision. For a complete timeline with every milestone mapped, the Rhode Island Divorce Filing Process Guide covers the entire sequence from the initial complaint through the Final Judgment entry.

See more Rhode Island guides →