Birth, Death, and Marriage Records

Vital Records are birth, death, and marriage documents. They are legal documents that contain information about the vital events of people in our society. Certified copies of vital records are used for many purposes, such as to establish proof of age, receive social security benefits, and receive death benefits from life insurance policies.

Services

Individuals can obtain copies of vital records in person or by mail, from city and town clerk offices, or from the State Office of Vital Records. The State Office can also correct and update vital records issued in Rhode Island and provide data about Rhode Island births, deaths, and marriages. There may be fees associated with these services.

Programs

The Office of Vital Records registers, files, and maintains vital records, issues copies of birth, death, and marriage certificates, and publicizes data derived from the records. (more)

Confidentiality

Vital records are confidential. Only individuals who have what is called a "direct and tangible interest" in the records can access them. This includes:

• The person named on the certificate, a member of his/her immediate family, his/her guardian, or an authorized agent of these individuals
• Attorneys-at-law, title examiners, or members of legally incorporated genealogical societies conducting their official duties
• A person requiring information to determine or protect a personal or property right
• A person who has been granted a court order instructing the registrar to provide the document

Firms, agencies, or individuals requesting information for commercial purposes are not considered to have direct and tangible interest.