How to Find Rhode Island Birth Records

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How to Find United States Deaths Rhode Island Deaths

State wide registration of births in Rhode Island began in 1853. Earlier birth records dating back to 1636 were kept by the towns.

If you cannot locate your ancestor in the databases below, try searching for birth information in other records.

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Next Step: When did the birth occur?

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 * Birth Records
 * Choose a time period:


 * Births 1636 to 1853
 * Births from present to 100 years ago
 * Birth year unknown


 * }

Births 1636 to 1853
Towns began keeping birth records as early as 1636. In 1700 the laws concerning vital records registration were made more specific and the records after that time are more complete.

For births that occurred in this time period try the following databases:

Obtain the Record
With the approximate birth year and place, you can locate birth records available through the city or town where the birth occurred or from the Rhode Island State Archives.

Record Restrictions
There are no restrictions for obtaining a certificate for a birth that occurred 100 or more years ago.

To obtain a record for a birth that occurred less than 100 year ago you must be:


 * person named on the certificate
 * a member of his/her immediate family
 * his/her guardian, or an authorized agent of these individuals
 * Attorneys-at-law, title examiners, or members of legally incorporated genealogical societies conducting their official duties
 * person requiring information to determine or protect a personal or property right
 * person who has been granted a court order instructing the registrar to provide the document

Return to top: Choose another birth year

Births from 1853 thru 1912
If you cannot locate your ancestor in the databases below, try searching for birth information in other records.

For births that exist during the time period, try the following databases.

Return to top: Choose another birth year

STEP ONE: Find Birth Information
Limited births maybe found in the following databases. Try each link. If you do not find your ancestor's birth or if you want order a copy of the certificate, then contact the Rhode Island Department of Health office.

STEP TWO: Obtain the Certificate
PART A: You know the exact date of birth

With an exact date (from your records or the index above), you can order a copy of the birth record for a fee from the following locations:

See list of restrictions for ordering birth records

If you do not want to order the birth record, you can search other records with birth information.  

PART B: You don't know the exact date of birth

If you do not know the exact date or place of birth: For a fee, the Rhode Island Department of Health office will do a 3 year search.

See list of restrictions for ordering birth records

If you do not want to order the birth record, you can search other records with birth information.  Return to top: Choose another birth year

Births from 1931 thru 1969
Limited births maybe found in the following databases. Try each link. If you do not find your ancestor's birth or if you want order a copy of the certificate, then contact the Rhode Island Vital Registration office.

STEP TWO: Obtain the Certificate
PART A: You know the exact date of birth

With an exact date (from your records or the index above), you can order a copy of the birth record for a fee from the following locations:

See list of restrictions for ordering birth records

If you do not want to order the birth record, you can search other records with birth information.

PART B: You don't know the exact date of birth

If you do not know the exact date or place of birth: For a fee, the Rhode Island Department of Health office will do a 3 year search.

See list of restrictions for ordering birth records

If you do not want to order the birth record, you can search other records with birth information.  Return to top: Choose another birth year

Births after 1969
PART A: You know the exact date of birth

With an exact date (from your records or the index above), you can order a copy of the birth record for a fee from the following locations:

See list of restrictions for ordering birth records

If you do not want to order the birth record, you can search other records with birth information.  

PART B: You don't know the exact date of birth

If you do not know the exact date or place of birth: For a fee, the Rhode Island Department of Health office will do a 3 year search.

See list of restrictions for ordering birth records

If you do not want to order the birth record, you can search other records with birth information.  Return to top: Choose another birth year

Restrictions for Obtaining Birth Records
Restrictions for persons born within the last 100 years: To obtain a copy of the birth certificate for those born within the last 100 years from the government agency, you must be:


 * The person on the certificate
 * The parents and grandparents of person on the certificate
 * The wife or husband of the person on the certificate
 * The children and grandchildren of the person on the certificate
 * The brothers or sisters of the person on the certificate
 * Anyone who has legal interest in the certificate
 * NOTE: A copy of the birth record cannot be obtained by anyone except those listed above until 100 years have passed from the date of the birth.

If you do not want to order the birth record, you can search other records with birth information. Return to top: Choose another birth year

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