Rhode Island - How to obtain a Birth Certificate

ProcedureEdit

In Person

In Person in Rhode Island: You may go to any county health department in the State of Rhode Island to obtain a certified copy of a Rhode Island birth certificate. Most Rhode Island birth certificates can be issued while you wait.

By Mail

You can obtain a copy of a record for a birth or marriage from the City or Town where the event occurred.
You can also obtain a copy of a record for a birth or marriage that occurred less than 100 years ago or a death that occurred less than 50 years ago by writing to

The Office of Vital Records,

Room 101 Cannon Building,

3 Capitol Hill,

Providence,

RI 02908-5097.

Please be advised that in most cases, you will receive your records more quickly from the City and Town locations.

Apply Online (VitalChek)

Rhode Island Department of Health only accepts emergency requests through VitalChek

Order official, certified birth certificates from Oklahoma Vital Records online quickly and securely

VitalChek is an official service, authorized by Rhode Island Dept. Of Health, to securely order certified Rhode Island vital records, like birth and death certificates. Other online services may not be authorized by Rhode Island Dept. Of Health, and may charge additional fees without providing approved services or guaranteeing confidentiality of your data.
As a government-approved organization for 25 years, VitalChek safely delivers millions of vital records every year and is Americas No.1 resource for ordering certified vital records across the nation. VitalChek makes purchasing your familys most important documents, such as Rhode Island birth certificates, simple, fast and secure:
- Simple step-by-step ordering with easy to use editing features to help ensure the accuracy of your order.
- Fast online ordering, processing & delivery options to help get your certificate as quickly as possible.
- Secure ordering processes that are designed to help protect your identity online.
VitalChek offers the convenience of ordering Rhode Island birth certificates for yourself or your family from the privacy of your home or office, 24-hours a day, 7 days a week, with no hidden fees or unexplained charges. No traffic, no standing in line, no parking, no hassles.

Required DocumentsEdit

Valid government issued photo ID
State issued drivers license or non-driver photo ID

Office Locations & ContactsEdit

Division of Vital Records: Rhode Island Department of Health; 3 Capitol Hill, Room 101; Providence, RI 02908-5097; Phone: (401) 222-2811

Certificates may also be obtained from your local county. Use the contact information below to inquire.

Bristol County : Bristol County Courthouse 1 Dorrance Plaza; Warren, RI 02885-4369
Phone: 508-823-6588

Kent County : Kent County Courthouse 222 Quaker Lane; West Warwick, RI 02893
Phone: 401-841-835

Newport County : Newport County Courthouse 8 Washington Square Newport, RI 02840-7199
Phone: 401-841-835

Providence County : Providence County Courthouse 250 Benefit Street Providence, RI 02903
Phone: 401-277-671

Washington County : Washington County Courthouse 4800 Tower Hill Road Wakefield, RI 02879-2239
Phone: 401-841-835

EligibilityEdit

Rhode Island birth certificates may be ordered by the person named on the certificate, a member of his/her immediate family, his/her guardian, or an authorized agent of these individuals; or attorneys-at-law, title examiners, or members of legally incorporated genealogical societies, in the conduct of their official duties; or persons requiring information for the determination or protection of a personal or property right; or a person who has been granted a court order instructing the registrar to provide disclosure.

FeesEdit

In Person/By Mail/Online

Certified copy: $20.00
Additional copies (each): $15.00

ValidityEdit

Explain the time until which the certificate/document is valid.
e.g. Birth Certificate Valid Forever

Documents to UseEdit

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Sample DocumentsEdit

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Processing TimeEdit

In Person

If the record is available in our office, you may wait while the certificate is prepared.

By mail

The certificate will be mailed to you the same day we receive your request.

InstructionsEdit

Rhode Island Department of Health (Rhode Island Vital Records) issues certified copies of Rhode Island birth certificates for events which occurred within the state of Rhode Island.
A certified birth certificate that can typically be used for travel, passport, proof of citizenship, social security, driver's license, school registration, personal identification and other legal purposes.
Birth Certificates are available for events that occurred within the State of Rhode Island during the current year and 100 years prior
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.
To request certified copies you should provide the name of the father and the mother's maiden name. Your signature and printed name, as well as copy of valid picture ID, your mailing address and your home phone number in the event we need to contact you.
You may request your certified copies by mail, in person or online (VitalChek)
Checks or Money Orders should be made payable to "General Treasurer of Rhode Island."
Please do not send cash.
Fees are not refundable.
You may order copies of Rhode Island vital records through VitalChek on an expedited basis.
Additional fees are required for expedited service.
For records older than those described above, call the State Archives at (401) 222-2353 or the City or Town where the event occurred.
To place your order by phone, please call 401-222-2812. Have your credit card information and certificate information ready when you place your call to help speed up the order process.
Rhode Island Department of Health only accepts emergency requests through VitalChek

Required InformationEdit

Full name of person at birth on the Rhode Island birth certificate
Date of birth on the Rhode Island birth certificate
Sex on the Rhode Island birth certificate
County (or city) of birth on the Rhode Island birth certificate
Hospital of birth - if not in a hospital state "home"
Full maiden name of mother on the Rhode Island birth certificate
Full name of father on the Rhode Island birth certificate
Your name
Your signature
Your relationship to the person whose Rhode Island birth certificate you are requesting
Address where the Rhode Island birth certificate is to be mailed
Self addressed stamped envelope
Your daytime phone number

Need for the DocumentEdit

You may need a birth certificate when enrolling in school, applying for a social security card or for certain legal proceedings. This can prove frustrating when you do not have a copy immediately on hand. If you want to obtain your birth certificate or if you would like to have an additional copy of your birth certificate you can obtain one with following the procedure given below.

Information which might helpEdit

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External LinksEdit

http://www.health.ri.gov/records/howto/getacopy/

VitalChek

http://www.vitalchek.com/birth-certificates/rhode-island/rhode-island-dept-of-health

Center for Disease Control and Prevention - Rhode Island Vital Records

http://www.cdc.gov/nchs/w2w/rhode_island.htm

OthersEdit

More information which might help people.