Home › Rhode Island › How-To Guide
Rhode Island · How-To Guide

How do I get a copy of a birth certificate?

Rhode Island Department of Health (RIDOH), Center for Vital Records (state level - Cranston) / City or Town Clerk (municipal level - for records in that city/town)
Step by Step

How to do it

  1. Determine eligibility: Rhode Island birth records are restricted. Eligible: the person named (if adult), parents, legal guardian, legal representative, and others with direct and tangible interest. Birth records become public after 100 years; death and marriage records after 50 years.
  2. Choose your method:
  3. IN PERSON (RIDOH - Appointment Required): RIDOH Center for Vital Records, Simpson Hall, 6 Harrington Rd., Cranston, RI 02920; APPOINTMENT REQUIRED - do not walk in without appointment; call (401) 222-2812 or visit health.ri.gov to schedule; bring valid photo ID; fee $22 first copy, $18 each additional copy at same time
  4. BY MAIL (RIDOH): Complete application (at health.ri.gov/vital-records); include copy of valid photo ID; check or money order payable to "General Treasurer, State of Rhode Island"; mail to: RIDOH Center for Vital Records, Simpson Hall, 6 Harrington Rd., Cranston, RI 02920; fee: $25 first copy, $18 each additional copy at same time
  5. ONLINE (VitalChek): VitalChek is an authorized vendor; additional service fees; order at health.ri.gov or VitalChek; online requests do not have electronic submission forms at RIDOH - VitalChek processes and submits
  6. LOCAL CITY/TOWN CLERK: For recent records, the city/town clerk where the birth occurred may also issue certified copies; fees and procedures vary by municipality; call ahead
  7. Submit with valid photo ID copy and proof of qualifying relationship
  8. Pay the fee
Details

What you need to know

Required Docs
  • Completed birth certificate application
  • Clear copy of valid government-issued photo ID
  • Proof of qualifying relationship if requesting for another
  • Payment
Fee
$25 first copy, $18 each additional copy at same time ONLINE (VitalChek): VitalChek is an authorized vendor; additional service fees; order at health.ri.gov or VitalChek; online requests do not have electronic submission forms at RIDOH - VitalChek processes and submits LOCAL CITY/TOWN CLERK: For recent records, the city/town clerk where the birth occurred may also issue certified copies; fees and procedures vary by municipality; call ahead Step 3 - Submit with valid photo ID copy and proof of qualifying relationship Step 4 - Pay the fee
Processing Time
In-person (appointment): same or next day; mail: several weeks; VitalChek: varies
Online Option
VitalChek (authorized vendor)
Where to Go
RIDOH Center for Vital Records (Cranston) - appointment required; city/town clerk where birth occurred; VitalChek online
Rhode Island Notes

Important state-specific details

  • RIDOH office is in CRANSTON - not Providence (common confusion).
  • APPOINTMENT REQUIRED at RIDOH for in-person service.
  • Birth records open (public) after 100 years; death and marriage records after 50 years (at State Archives).
  • Free index search for one name/2 years; $2 per additional year.
  • Rush orders: extra $7.
Official Source

State office contact

State Office
RIDOH Center for Vital Records - health.ri.gov/vital-records | (401) 222-2812 | Simpson Hall, 6 Harrington Rd., Cranston, RI 02920; State Archives (older public records) - sos.ri.gov/divisions/state-archives