Official State of Rhode Island website

State of Rhode Island Department of Health

Requesting a Vital Record from the State

Learn about other ways to request a vital record.

Who can request a vital record?

  • Registrant (name on the record) if of legal age (18)
  • His or her issue (child, child’s child, etc.)
  • Spouse (or legally registered partner)
  • Parent(s) listed on the Birth Record, sibling, or legal guardian (must provide guardianship papers)
  • Attorneys-at-law, title examiners, or members of legally incorporated genealogical societies
  • By Court Order (must provide copy of court order)
  • Funeral Directors
  • Informant listed on a death record
  • Persons requiring information for the determination or protection of a personal or property right
  • Other restrictions/rules may apply in our ability to provide you with a specific record, such as, but not limited to,
    • If there is no father on the birth record, then only the child, if 18 years or older, or the mother/legal guardian has legal access to that birth record per RIGL §23-3-23 (c)
    • The record may be in the process of being corrected either voluntarily or through a court order
    • The record is damaged and needs to be re-created

How to request a vital record?

In Person 

Click here to schedule an appointment and avoid waiting at our office.

Rhode Island Department of Health's (RIDOH) Center for Vital Records 

  • Simpson Hall, 6 Harrington Rd. Cranston, RI 02920
  • 7:30 AM - 3:30 PM, Weekdays

Be sure to bring required identification and completed application as described below.

Cost: $22 for the first copy, $18 for each extra copy purchased the same day To search for a record, one name and one record for two consecutive years is free. Each additional year to search is $2. Rush orders are an extra $7.

Payment: Cash, checks, money orders, debit cards, Master Card, Visa, or Discover Card, Apple Pay, Samsung Pay and Tap payments are accepted at RIDOH's Center for Vital Records. Checks or money orders should be made out to the General Treasurer, State of Rhode Island. 

By Mail/Drop Box

Be sure to provide a clear copy of required identification, completed application as described below, and payment.

Cost: $25 for first copy; $18 for each extra copy purchased the same day

Payment: Check or money order only. Checks or money orders should be made out to the General Treasurer, State of Rhode Island. Do not send cash. 

Mail to: Center for Vital Records, Simpson Hall, 6 Harrington Rd. Cranston, RI 02920 or use Drop Box as same location.

Time to process: It takes 2-4 weeks to process your request. Rush requests will be processed in 5-7 business days.

What is required?

1.  Valid government issued photo ID

You must provide a valid, government-issued photo ID to prove you are entitled to make the request. Acceptable documents include: driver's license, passport, military identification, certificate of naturalization, or alien registration card. If you do not have government-issued photo ID, you may submit two other documents that have your name and current address (utility bill, bank statement, car registration, copy of income tax return).

2.  Completed Application

For Certified Copies of Vital Records:

For Non-Certified Copies: