Rhode Island Death Records

To begin, add a death record or view a list of locations and resources for Rhode Island death records.

Death records from Rhode Island can be a truly interesting source of information about both the recent and more distant past.

In Rhode Island, birth records from the last 50 years are kept by the Office of Vital Records, which handles all requests for records from these years. Older Rhode Island death records may be available as well, but they are kept on the county level as well as by the Rhode Island State Archives. These older records vary in coverage but may reach back to the 17th century.

Conventional wisdom calls for all death records requests to be made in writing to the institution that has the records in question. If you want to try a quicker way to get the birth records in question before settling for a long waiting period, you may want to see if you can find the Rhode Island death records you need by searching through an internet public records locater.

To receive a death record fill out the Rhode Island Death Certificate Mail-in Form. Mail your application to:

Rhode Island death certificates and information is kept for 50 years in the state office. You must fill out an application, pay the fee of $20.00, and provide a government issued picture ID. You will also have to provide your signature. If you need a copy that is more than 50 years old, you may apply to the town clerk where the death occurred. For more information visit: Rhode Island Department of Health