Rhode Island

Open Public Record Act:

Rhode Island’s Access to Public Records Act grants an individual the right to inspect and copy records created, maintained, or received by any government body. Any request for inspection or copies must be responded to within 10 business days. The Open Meetings Act grants the public access to every meeting of all government bodies when conducting public business.

Birth Records:

The Office of Vital Records is responsible for registering, filing, and issuing birth records for all births that have occurred within the state of Rhode Island. This office can also correct these records, update them following legal name changes, and create new birth certificates following court orders of adoption and paternity. You can also obtain aggregate data and information regarding vital statistics of the state.

If you wish obtain a certified copy of a birth record, you can visit the Office of Vital Records’ for further information or contact them via email or phone. Make sure that you gather all the required identification as well as provide appropriate payment for the copies you will be requesting.

Marriage Records:

The Office of Vital Records is responsible for maintaining marriage and civil union records for the state of Rhode Island. You can obtain copies of marriage records through a third party vendor, VitalChek, either online or by phone. Payment will be made through credit card.

You can also obtain copies from the State Office and from City and Town Clerks Offices. The application process requires you to provide identification as well as the appropriate payment for the copies you have requested.

Death Records:

In the State of Rhode Island, all records of deaths that have occurred in the state are filed with the Office of Vital Records. The office is responsible for correcting death records, issuing copies, and providing vital statistics to data users and researchers.

If you wish to obtain a copy of a death record, you can submit a request online or by phone to third party vendor, VitalChek. You can also obtain a copy from the State Office or through City and Town Clerks. Make sure to gather all required identification and provide the appropriate payment.

Missing People:

The Rhode Island State Police maintains and operates the Rhode Island Missing Children Clearinghouse which contains all reports of missing children and sightings of missing children. You can check the website for photos of children from the state who are currently missing. You will also find a link to the National Center for Missing & Exploited Children (NCMEC) which links to the different state clearinghouses and posts photos of missing children from all over the US.

Elected Officials:

On the official state website, you’ll find different links to the webpages and/or websites of the elected officials in Rhode Island. For example, you will find a link to the website of David Cicilline who is the US Representative of the 1st district of Rhode Island. In addition, you’ll also find a link that can help you find who the current elected officials are in your area.

Court Records

no links in this area

Recorder

no links in this area