Rhode Island ranks 34th out of 51 (the 50 states and D.C.) for how easy, fast and affordable it is to get certified birth, marriage, divorce and death records.
Cost#38of 51
Speed#34of 51
Ease of ordering#28of 51
Birth certificates #36 of 51
Cost
$22 first copy in person ($25 by mail), $18 each extra copy
Processing time
Mail: 4–6 weeks (rush: 5–7 business days); in person: walk-in on weekdays, appointment suggested; wait time not published
Time until the copy is in hand
About 5–7 weeks by mail (estimate)
Where to order
State office or the city or town clerk
Order online
Yes, through the state’s approved vendor, for an extra fee
Records available
Any city or town hall: births from 1960; State Archives: 1853–1925
Marriage records #27 of 51
Cost
$22 first copy in person ($25 by mail), $18 each extra copy
Processing time
Mail: 4–6 weeks (rush: 5–7 business days); in person: walk-in on weekdays, appointment suggested; wait time not published
Time until the copy is in hand
About 5–7 weeks by mail (estimate)
Where to order
State office or the city or town clerk
Order online
Yes, through the state’s approved vendor, for an extra fee
Records available
Any city or town hall: marriages from 2022; State Archives: 1853–1925
Divorce records #27 (tie) of 51
Cost
$25 per certified copy from the court
Processing time
Varies by court
Time until the copy is in hand
Varies by court
Where to order
Court only: the Rhode Island Family Court
Order online
No statewide online ordering
Death certificates #36 of 51
Cost
$22 first copy in person ($25 by mail), $18 each extra copy
Processing time
Mail: 4–6 weeks (rush: 5–7 business days); in person: walk-in on weekdays, appointment suggested; wait time not published
Time until the copy is in hand
About 5–7 weeks by mail (estimate)
Where to order
State office or the city or town clerk
Order online
Yes, through the state’s approved vendor, for an extra fee
Records available
Any city or town hall: deaths from 2022; State Archives: 1853–1975
Note: These rankings were done on . Prices, processing times and ordering rules may have changed since then, so check with the issuing office before you order. Times marked “estimate” add typical mail delivery to the office’s posted processing time. “Not published” means the office does not post that detail.
How to order Rhode Island birth, death, marriage and divorce records
How do I get a Rhode Island birth certificate?
A certified Rhode Island birth certificate costs $22 in person at the state Center for Vital Records in Cranston, or $25 by mail, with extra copies at $18. Any city or town hall can issue birth certificates for births from 1960 on. Mail orders take 4–6 weeks, or 5–7 business days with a $7 rush fee.
Rhode Island birth records: ordering details
Who can order
Rhode Island vital records are confidential. You can order if you are the person named (18 or older), their child or grandchild (“issue”), spouse or registered partner, a parent listed on the birth record, a sibling, a legal guardian (with papers), an attorney, title examiner or member of an incorporated genealogical society, a funeral director, someone with a court order, or someone who needs the record to protect a personal or property right. If no second parent is listed on the birth record, only the person named (18 or older) or the listed parent or legal guardian can get it.
Fee
State office in person: $22 for the first copy; $18 for each extra copy bought the same day. State office by mail or drop box: $25 for the first copy; $18 for each extra copy. Online (VitalChek): $25 for the first copy and $18 for each extra, plus VitalChek’s processing fee and shipping, shown at checkout. Rush orders: $7 extra. A search of two consecutive years is included; each extra year searched costs $2. City or town hall: fees set by the city or town.
How to order
City or town hall: see the city and town directory. Any city or town hall can issue birth certificates for births from 1960 to the present. For births before 1960, go to the city or town where the parents lived at the time or where the birth happened. Online:VitalChek, linked from RIDOH. State office in person: RIDOH Center for Vital Records, Simpson Hall, 6 Harrington Rd., Cranston, RI 02920, weekdays 7:30 a.m.–3:30 p.m.; appointments suggested. Cash, check, money order, debit or credit card and mobile pay accepted. By mail or drop box: the Application for a Certified Copy of a Birth Record with an ID copy and a check or money order payable to “General Treasurer, State of Rhode Island” to the Center for Vital Records at the same address (drop box on site).
ID needed
A valid government-issued photo ID, such as a driver’s license, passport, military ID, certificate of naturalization or alien registration card. Without a photo ID, you may submit two other documents showing your name and current address. By mail, send a clear copy.
Processing time
State office by mail: 4–6 weeks to process; rush requests ($7) 5–7 business days. City and town halls and online orders: not published by RIDOH. Estimate: about 5–7 weeks to have it in hand by mail without rush.
Older and local records
Birth records more than 100 years old are open and held by the Rhode Island State Archives, which can certify state birth records from 1853 to 1925 (certified requests are prepared within 10 business days). Records before 1853 are kept by the city or town clerk; the Archives has microfilm copies.
Tip: Need an apostille for use abroad? Order from the state Center for Vital Records. Certificates issued by a city or town can’t be apostilled.
A certified Rhode Island death certificate costs $22 in person at the state Center for Vital Records, or $25 by mail, with extra copies at $18. Any city or town hall can issue death certificates for deaths from 2022 on; for earlier deaths, use the city or town where the death occurred or where the person lived, or the state office.
Rhode Island death records: ordering details
Who can order
Rhode Island vital records are confidential. You can order if you are the person named (18 or older), their child or grandchild (“issue”), spouse or registered partner, a parent listed on the birth record, a sibling, a legal guardian (with papers), an attorney, title examiner or member of an incorporated genealogical society, a funeral director, someone with a court order, or someone who needs the record to protect a personal or property right.
Fee
State office in person: $22 for the first copy; $18 for each extra copy bought the same day. State office by mail or drop box: $25 for the first copy; $18 for each extra copy. Online (VitalChek): $25 for the first copy and $18 for each extra, plus VitalChek’s processing fee and shipping, shown at checkout. Rush orders: $7 extra. A search of two consecutive years is included; each extra year searched costs $2. City or town hall: fees set by the city or town.
How to order
City or town hall: see the city and town directory. Any city or town hall can issue death certificates for deaths from 2022 to the present. For deaths before 2022, go to the city or town where the person lived at the time or where the death occurred. Online:VitalChek, linked from RIDOH. State office in person: RIDOH Center for Vital Records, Simpson Hall, 6 Harrington Rd., Cranston, RI 02920, weekdays 7:30 a.m.–3:30 p.m.; appointments suggested. Cash, check, money order, debit or credit card and mobile pay accepted. By mail or drop box: the Application for a Certified Copy of a Death Record with an ID copy and a check or money order payable to “General Treasurer, State of Rhode Island” to the Center for Vital Records at the same address (drop box on site).
ID needed
A valid government-issued photo ID, such as a driver’s license, passport, military ID, certificate of naturalization or alien registration card. Without a photo ID, you may submit two other documents showing your name and current address. By mail, send a clear copy.
Processing time
State office by mail: 4–6 weeks to process; rush requests ($7) 5–7 business days. City and town halls and online orders: not published by RIDOH. Estimate: about 5–7 weeks to have it in hand by mail without rush.
Older and local records
Death records more than 50 years old are open and held by the Rhode Island State Archives, which can certify state death records from 1853 to 1975. Records before 1853 are kept by the city or town clerk.
Tip: For a recent death, any city or town hall in Rhode Island can print the certificate, which is often the quickest option.
A certified Rhode Island marriage or civil union certificate costs $22 in person at the state Center for Vital Records, or $25 by mail, with extra copies at $18. Any city or town hall can issue certificates for marriages from 2022 on; for earlier marriages, go to the city or town where the marriage took place or the state office.
Rhode Island marriage records: ordering details
Who can order
Rhode Island vital records are confidential. You can order if you are the person named (18 or older), their child or grandchild (“issue”), spouse or registered partner, a parent listed on the birth record, a sibling, a legal guardian (with papers), an attorney, title examiner or member of an incorporated genealogical society, a funeral director, someone with a court order, or someone who needs the record to protect a personal or property right.
Fee
State office in person: $22 for the first copy; $18 for each extra copy bought the same day. State office by mail or drop box: $25 for the first copy; $18 for each extra copy. Online (VitalChek): $25 for the first copy and $18 for each extra, plus VitalChek’s processing fee and shipping, shown at checkout. Rush orders: $7 extra. A search of two consecutive years is included; each extra year searched costs $2. City or town hall: fees set by the city or town.
How to order
City or town hall: see the city and town directory. Any city or town hall can issue marriage certificates for marriages from 2022 to the present. For marriages before 2022, go to the city or town where you lived at the time or where the marriage took place. Online:VitalChek, linked from RIDOH. State office in person: RIDOH Center for Vital Records, Simpson Hall, 6 Harrington Rd., Cranston, RI 02920, weekdays 7:30 a.m.–3:30 p.m.; appointments suggested. Cash, check, money order, debit or credit card and mobile pay accepted. By mail or drop box: the Marriage or Civil Union Certificate application with an ID copy and a check or money order payable to “General Treasurer, State of Rhode Island” to the Center for Vital Records at the same address (drop box on site).
ID needed
A valid government-issued photo ID, such as a driver’s license, passport, military ID, certificate of naturalization or alien registration card. Without a photo ID, you may submit two other documents showing your name and current address. By mail, send a clear copy.
Processing time
State office by mail: 4–6 weeks to process; rush requests ($7) 5–7 business days. City and town halls and online orders: not published by RIDOH. Estimate: about 5–7 weeks to have it in hand by mail without rush.
Older records
Marriage records more than 100 years old are open and held by the Rhode Island State Archives, which can certify state marriage records from 1853 to 1925. Records before 1853 are kept by the city or town clerk.
Tip: Need proof that you are not married, for a marriage abroad? The state office also issues a Certified Single Marital Status Letter.
Rhode Island divorce decrees come from the Rhode Island Family Court, not from RIDOH or city and town halls. A certified copy of a final judgment/divorce decree from the Judicial Records Center costs $25; you need the county and case number.
Rhode Island divorce records: ordering details
Who can order
Divorce cases are court records; contact the Family Court clerk’s office about access.
Fee
$25 for a certified copy of a Family Court final judgment/divorce decree from the Judicial Records Center (JRC). Payment by credit or debit card, cash, business/certified check or money order (no personal checks).
How to order
Family Court clerk’s office: in the county where the divorce was granted (Providence/Bristol: Garrahy Judicial Complex, One Dorrance Plaza, Providence; Kent: Noel Judicial Complex, Warwick; Newport: Murray Judicial Complex, Newport; Washington: McGrath Judicial Complex, Wakefield), or the Virtual Clerk’s Office. By mail from the JRC: send the court (county) and case number, your phone number, a $25 business/certified check or money order payable to “State of Rhode Island” and a self-addressed stamped envelope to Rhode Island Supreme Court, Judicial Records Center, 5 Hill Street, Pawtucket, RI 02860-3913.
ID needed
Ask the Family Court clerk’s office.
Processing time
Not published.
Older records
Older Family Court case files are stored at the Judicial Records Center in Pawtucket, which is open to researchers. You need the case number; the Family Court clerk’s office can provide it.
Tip: Get the case number from the Family Court clerk first. The Judicial Records Center can’t pull a divorce file without it. If you need an apostille, the decree must be issued by the Family Court Clerk’s Office.
Note: Fees, processing times and rules are set by the issuing offices and can change. Times are estimates. Check with the office before you order. PublicLibraries.com is not a government agency.
Other records
Other Rhode Island records people search for
Official Rhode Island sites for other common lookups. Some records are kept by counties or carry fees; the note on each line says so.
Note: Links go to official state sites or services the state designates. Access rules, fees and coverage are set by each office and can change. PublicLibraries.com is not a government agency.
About Rhode Island public records
Certificate Information
The Rhode Island Department of Health manages, files and issues records for births, deaths and marriage records for the state.
Most records statewide are available at any cityor town clerk's office from 1960 to present. Each town and city also archives
all records for any record filed in that area. The state office has an electronic copy of all records in Rhode Island.
Search for records costs $20 dollars and includes one certified copy. All copies are electronic if issued from the state office.
Rush orders are available for and additional $7 dollar fee.
Any adult age (25) adoptee born in Rhode Island can obtain a non certified copy of their original birth certificate. The search
will also display any voluntary contact information or medical history submitted by the birth family to the Rhode Island Family
Court - Voluntary Adoption Reunion Registry.
State of Rhode Island Family Court
One Dorrance Plaza
Providence, R. I. 02903
(401) 458-3290
Property information for Rhode Island is maintained by a mixture of local governments. In some cases the city or town in which the
parcel resides handles all information through it's assessment department while some a county agency will handle the records.
Most cities and towns use a unified system to handle all assessor data.
