Birth, Death, and Marriage Records (Vital Records) (2025)

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)

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?

  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, 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.

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

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
Birth, Death, and Marriage Records (Vital Records) (2025)
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