Web site:  Rhode Island Department of Health

Event: Birth

Dates: From 1901

Cost of copy: $15.00

Comments: State office keeps birth records for 100 years. For earlier records (since the colonial period), write to the City/Town Clerk where the event occurred or to the Rhode Island State Archives, 337 Westminster Street, Providence, RI 02903. With your request include as much as you can of the following: the name on the birth record being requested, date of birth, place of birth (city or county), father's full name, (last, first, middle), mothers full name, including her maiden name, your relationship to the person whose certificate is being requested, your purpose for needing the copy, your daytime telephone number with area code, your mailing address and your signature. 

Comments: State office keeps death records for 50 years. For earlier records (since the colonial period), write to the City/Town Clerk where the event occurred or to the Rhode Island State Archives, 337 Westminster Street, Providence, RI 02903. With your request include as much as you can of the following: the name on the death record being requested, date of death, place of death (city or county), your relationship to the person whose certificate is being requested, your purpose for needing the copy, your daytime telephone number with area code, your mailing address and your signature. 

Dates: From 1901

Comments: State office keeps marriage records for 100 years. For earlier records (since the colonial period), write to the City/Town Clerk where the event occurred or to the Rhode Island State Archives, 337 Westminster Street, Providence, RI 02903. With your request include as much as you can of the following: the full names on the marriage record being requested, date of marriage, place of marriage (city or county), your relationship to the person whose certificate is being requested, your purpose for needing the copy, your daytime telephone number with area code, your mailing address and your signature. 

Dates: From 1962

Comments:  For divorce decrees from 1962 to the present: 

Clerk of Family Court
1 Dorrance Plaza
Providence, RI 02903

For divorce records prior to 1962, contact the Providence College Archives.

Rhode Island Adoption Search & Support Resources