The Center for Vital Records (birth, death, marriage, and adoption certificates) is located in Simpson Hall on the Pastore Campus (6 Harrington Rd., Cranston).
There are four ways to request a vital record.
1. Go to city or town hall: (city/town hall websites)
- Go to ANY city or town hall for:
- Birth certificates, if the birth occurred in 1960 to present
- Death and marriage certificates, if the death/marriage occurred in 2022 to present
- Go to the city or town hall where you lived at the time of the event or where the event occurred for:
- Birth certificates, if the birth occurred prior to 1960
- Death and marriage certificates, if the death/marriage occurred prior to 2022
2. Go online to VitalChek for birth, death, marriage certificate.
3. Use the State Office of Vital Records at Simpson Hall on the Pastore Campus (6 Harrington Rd., Cranston)
- To avoid waiting at our office, schedule an appointment.
- Click here for details on how to order a vital record from the State Office
4. Go to State archives for birth and marriages more than 100 years old, death records more than 50 years old.
Who can request a vital record?
Birth, death, and marriage records are vital records, and vital records are confidential and may only be issued to:
- Registrant (name on the record) if of legal age (18)
- 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)
What documents are required?
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).
- Completed application, see application/forms list below.
Vital Records Contact & Hours
- Vital Records
Simpson Hall, 6 Harrington Rd. Cranston, RI 02920 - 7:30 AM - 3:30 PM, Weekdays
- Recorded Message 401-222-2811
- Appointments are suggested
RIVERS System technical assistance
Certified Copies:
- Birth Certificate
- Marriage or Civil Union Certificate
- Death Certificate
- Funeral Director Application for a Certified Copy of a Death Record
- Application for a Certified Single Marital Status Letter
Non-Certified Copies:
- Pre-Adoption Birth Certificate
For Birth Parents:
- Contact Preference
- Medical History
Legal
- Report of Adoption
Funeral Directors
- Death Module Training Guide
- Fetal Death Module Training Guide
Healthcare Facility Users
- Birth Certifier User Guide
- Birth Facility User Guide
- Birth Module Training Video
- Fetal Death Module Training Guide
Medical Certifier
- Birth Module Training Video
- Death Module Training Guide
- Fetal Death Certifier Training Guide
- Frequently Asked Questions about Implementation of RIVERS(updated 12/29/2021)
- Medical Certifier Training Video
Municipalities
- Disinterment Process for City/Town User
- Fee Module Training Guide (for City/Towns)
- Fee Module Training Video
- Frequently Asked Questions about Implementation of RIVERS Marriage Module(updated 9/30/2022)
- Marriage Module Training Guide
- Marriage Module Training Video
- Printer Setup Instructions
What You Need to Know
Changes To Birth, Death Or Marriage Records
Information about how to make changes to birth, death, or marriage records.
Civil Unions
Two people who are eligible to marry get a…
Birth records information for Rhode Island parents.
Marriage Licenses
Two people who are eligible to marry may get a…
Requesting a Vital Record from the State
Learn who can request it, what is required, and how to order.
Information For
Information For Adult Adoptees
If you were adopted, were born in Rhode Island, and were 18 as of July 8, 2021, you can request a non-certified copy of your original, pre-adoption birth record from the State Office of Vital Records.
Data
Adult Adoptee Data
Our purpose is to comply with state law amendments, passed in July 2011, that allow adult adoptees to receive copies of their original birth certificates starting in July 2012.
Death Records, Leading Causes of Death
Our purpose is to register deaths occurring in Rhode Island and to Rhode Island residents whenever the death occurs.
Voluntary Adoption Reunion Registry
The Rhode Island Family Court is now maintaining a voluntary adoption reunion registry. Click here for more information about the Voluntary Adoption Reunion Registry.
RIDOH Programs
Vital Records, Center for
Resources
Forms | Request
- Application for a Certified Single Marital Status Letter
- Birth Record
- Death Record
- Marriage Record
- Pre-Adoption Birth
Forms
- Contact Form for Birth Parents of Adopted Children
- Report of Adoption
Requirements
- General Marriage Requirements
Guidances, Recommendations
- Officiant's Guide to Completing the License and Certificate of Marriage
- RIVERS Death Funeral Home User Training Guide
- RIVERS Death Medical Certifier Training Guide
- RIVERS Fetal Death Funeral Home Training User Guide
- RIVERS Fetal Death Medical Certifier Training User Guide
Forms | Worksheet
- Parents Worksheet for Childs Birth Certificate
(Spanish)
Frequently Asked Questions
- Rhode Island Vital Events Registration System (RIVERS) for Medical Certifiers
Data | Annual
- Rhode Island’s Health Assessment (2022)
Policy, Protocols, Requirements
- Vital Records Correction and Amendment Requirements
External Resources
Resource | Lists
- Resources for suicide loss support in Rhode Island. Information about counseling, support groups, retreats, and other services for loss survivors in Rhode Island.
- Resources for suicide loss support in Rhode Island. Information about counseling, support groups, retreats, and other services for loss survivors in Rhode Island.