Rhode Island Birth & Death Vital Records

State Bird: Rhode Island Red (chicken)
State Flower: Violet
State Name Language of Origin: Dutch
State Name Meaning: Red island, referring to Aquidneck Island
Admission to Union: May 29, 1790
Source: Wikipedia

Rhode Island vital records are available from the state Office of Vital Records for $20, with additional copies costing $15 each, payable by check or money order to General Treasurer, State of Rhode Island. Rhode Island birth records are kept in the state office for 100 years, while Rhode Island death records become public after 50. All requests must include either a photocopy of a valid government-issued picture ID or two pieces of mail showing the applicant's name and address. Rhode Island is currently the only state in the country to have an Independent governor, Lincoln Chafee, who left the Republican Party after Sheldon Whitehouse defeated his Senate reelection bid in 2006. Chafee was appointed to the Senate to replace his deceased father, John Chafee, who served three terms as governor in the sixties and four in the Senate, ending in October 1999.

For more information on Rhode Island vital records, visit Rhode Island Marriage & Divorce Vital Records

Rhode Island Vital Records Offices

Record Type: Birth Certificates
State Department of Health
Division of Vital Records
3 Capitol Hill, Room 101
Providence, RI 02908-5097
Phone: 401-222-2812
Website

Business Hours: 8:30AM-4:30PM
Note: If the record is less than 100 years old, it can also be obtained from the city or town where birth occurred.
Record Access Requirements: Birth records are confidential unless over 100 years old.. Searches must have a signed release from person of record or immediate family member.
Search Note: Include valid picture ID if family member.

Records Available: Death Records
State Department of Health
Division of Vital Records
3 Capitol Hill, Room 101
Providence, RI 02908-5097
Phone: 401-222-2812
Website

Business Hours: 8:30AM-4:30PM
Note: Records less than 50 years old can also be obtained at the town or city where death took place.

Records Available: State Archives
Office of the Secretary of State
State Archives & Public Records Administration
337 Westminster St
Providence, RI 02903
Phone: 401-222-2353
Fax: 401-222-3199
Website

Business Hours: 8:30AM-4:30PM M-SA