Kent County Court Records

A Kent County court record is any data, document, paper, information, or other item created, collected, received, or maintained by a court. Examples of court records are pleadings, judgments, notices, motions, orders, exhibits, briefs, and writs of execution. The Clerk of the Superior, Family, District, or Probate Court maintains all Kent County court records. Below are some types of information typically found in Kent County court records:

• Case summary (court name, case number, case title, location, judicial officer’s name, filing date)
• Case information (statistical closure and case type and status)
• Party information (party type and full name)
• Case events (date and event)
• Hearings (date and time)
• Financial information (petitioner’s name, total financial assessment, total payments and credits, balance due date, transaction assessment, counter payment, and receipt number).

Court records play significant roles in Kent County. They help ensure that judicial proceedings are conducted fairly and impartially and serve as evidence for future proceedings. Since court records are part of Kent County Public Records, members of the public can gain access to what was said in court and how a case was handled.

Are Court Records Public in Kent County?

Yes. The Rhode Island Public Records Act authorizes members of the public to inspect and/or copy court records maintained or kept by any court in Kent County. However, some Kent County court records are not open to the public. Confidential court records are sealed court cases or documents or confidential case types, documents, or information. The Rhode Island Judiciary Rules of Practice Governing Public Access to Electronic Case Information provides a list of non-public court records:

• Juvenile records
• Adoption records
• Mental health records
• Child custody records
• Civil marijuana case records
• Termination of parental rights case records
• Expunged or otherwise sealed court records
• Records of victims of child molestation sexual assault
• The address of any person requesting a protective order
• Sealed cases of acquitted or otherwise exonerated persons
• Civil violations for possession of one (1) ounce or less of marijuana
• Cases initiated under the Insurance Rehabilitation and Liquidation Act
• Identifying information about crime victims and/or confidential informants
• Complaints for a Civil Protective Order when a juvenile is a party in the case
• Complaints for an Order of Protection from Sexual Abuse under the Sexual Assault Protective Orders Act, when a juvenile is a party in the case
• Complaints for an Order of Protection from Domestic Violence under the Domestic Abuse Prevention Act, when a juvenile is a party in the case
• Personal identifying information like full social security and taxpayer identification numbers, financial account numbers and statements, Driver's license numbers, passport numbers, and state identification numbers.

Kent County Court Records Search

Kent County residents can use the Rhode Island Judiciary Public Portal to electronically access court records at the courthouse or remotely. All courts (Superior, Family, and District) in Kent County have computer terminals in their clerks' offices that record seekers can use to view public court records during regular business hours. However, sealed or confidential court records cannot be retrieved through these terminals.

Attorneys and federal/state agencies can request remote access to court records by emailing a completed Request for Access to Case Information form to the Judicial Technology Center (JTC) at HelpDesk@courts.ri.gov. The Subscription Agreement section of the form must be signed. Upon receiving the form, A JTC representative will send the requester a username and password needed to access the Public Portal.

Individuals can also get copies of court records from the courthouse during business hours. Pre-1900 court records can be retrieved from the Judicial Records Center (JRC). For instructions on how to obtain such records, contact the JRC at (401) 721-2641.

Kent County Court Records Search by Name

A Kent County court records search can be conducted by name online or in person. Online requesters can find court records through the Rhode Island Judiciary Public Portal. Enter an attorney name, business name, nickname, or party name in the appropriate search field. In-person requesters should visit the court where the case was handled during business hours. The computer terminal in the courthouse can be used for the search. Alternatively, individuals can go to the Clerk’s Office to request copies of court records. A name will be required to process the request.

Kent County Courts

Kent County has a Superior Court, District Court, Family Court, and several Probate Courts operating at the city or town level. Below are the addresses of all the courts in Kent County:

The Kent County Superior Court
Noel Judicial Complex
222 Quaker Lane
Warwick, RI 02886
dkeegan@courts.ri.gov
822-6920

Kent County Family Court
Garrahy Judicial Complex
One Dorrance Plaza
Providence, RI 02903
Phone: (401) 458-5300

Probate Courts

East Greenwich Probate Court
125 Main Street
East Greenwich, RI 02818
Phone: (401) 886-8607
Email: breis@eastgreenwichri.com

West Warwick Probate Court
1170 Main St.
West Warwick, RI 02893
Phone: (401) 822-9200
Fax: (401) 822-9266
Email: mquattrucci@westwarwickri.org

Warwick Probate Division
Warwick City Hall, 2nd Floor
3275 Post Road
Warwick, RI 02886
Phone: (401) 738-2006
Email: probate.court@warwickri.com

West Greenwich Probate Court
280 Victory Highway,
West Greenwich, RI 02817
Phone: (401) 392-3800
Fax: (401) 392-3805

Coventry Probate Office
1670 Flat River Road
Coventry, RI 02816
Phone: (401) 822-9172
Email: adriscoll@coventryri.gov

Kent County Superior Court Case Search

The Kent County Superior Court is the trial court of general jurisdiction. It has original jurisdiction over felony proceedings, matters of equity, and civil matters. The Court also has concurrent jurisdiction with the District Court regarding civil matters with amounts ranging from $5,000 to $10,000. The Clerk is the custodian of all civil and criminal cases filed in the Kent County Superior Court.

Members of the public can find Superior Court case records in person at the Clerk’s office during business hours. The Superior Court has a computer terminal where requesters can view court records. Copies of court records can be obtained at the office.

Online requesters can use the Rhode Island Judiciary Public Portal to conduct a search. The search criteria are case number and name. Click “Advanced Filtering Options” to expand additional search fields. Then click the General Options on the right navigation plane, go to the “Filter by Location” area, and select “Superior Court Search” from the dropdown. Contact the Kent County Superior Court Clerk at (401) 822-6900 for more information on Superior Court case search.

Kent County District Court Records

The District Court is a court of general jurisdiction that hears both criminal and civil matters. The District Court 3rd Division is located in Kent County. The Clerk of the is the custodian of all cases filed with the District Court 3rd Division.

The Clerk disseminates District Court records online and in person at the courthouse. Online requests can be made through the Rhode Island Judiciary Public Portal to conduct a search. A search can be conducted by case number and name. Users can narrow their search by clicking “Advanced Filtering Options” and the General Options on the right navigation plane. Go to the “Filter by Location” area and select “District Court Search” from the dropdown. Contact the District Court 3rd Division Clerk by phone at (401) 822-6750 or by fax at (401) 822-6755 for more information on District Court records.

Kent County Criminal Records

In Kent County, criminal records are used interchangeably with background checks. Interested persons can find Kent County arrest and criminal records at any City or Town Police Department in Kent County. Requests can be made by phone, email, or in person. For example, individuals can request background checks by phone at (401) 886-8629 or by email at hzenga@eastgreenwichri.com at the East Greenwich Police Department. The Coventry Police Department allows members of the public to access Kent County arrest records online by publishing Arrest Logs on its website.

Kent County Criminal Court Case Lookup

The Superior Court and District Court 3rd Division handle criminal court cases in Kent County. The Kent County Superior Court has original jurisdiction in only felony proceedings. Conversely, the District Court 3rd Division hears felony and misdemeanor cases.

Record seekers can find criminal court case records in person at the court where the case was filed. A name or case number will be required to process the request. Copies of criminal court records come with a small fee. However, requesters can find free criminal court case records online through the Court’s Public Portal. The search parameter is by name (attorney name, business name, nickname, or party name) or record number (attorney bar number, case cross-reference number, case number, citation number, or warrant number).

Get Kent County Civil Court Records

The Superior Court and District Court 3rd Division both handle civil cases in Kent County. The Kent County Superior Court hears civil matters where the amount in controversy exceeds $10,000. It also has concurrent jurisdiction with the District Court on civil matters where the amount in controversy is between $5,000 and $10,000. The District Court 3rd Division has exclusive jurisdiction of all civil cases where the money in controversy is below $5,000.

The Superior Court and District Court 3rd Division both issue civil court records online and in person. In-person requests can be made at the court where the case was filed. The record staff will require some information about the document to process the request. Online requests can be made through the Rhode Island Judicial Public Portal. The search criteria are by name (attorney name, business name, nickname, or party name) or record number (attorney bar number, case cross-reference number, case number, citation number, or warrant number).

Kent County Family Court Records

The Kent County Family Court handles cases concerning families and children, such as divorce, child support, child custody, child visitation, and domestic abuse. The Domestic Relations Clerk’s Office is the custodian of all Family Court records in Kent County. Most family records, like adoption records, are deemed confidential in Kent County. Individuals can visit the Clerk’s Office from 8:30 a.m. to 4:00 p.m. to request non-confidential Family Court records. Alternatively, requesters can find public Family Court records online via the Rhode Island Judicial Public Portal. A search can be conducted by name (attorney name, business name, nickname, or party name) or record number (attorney bar number, case cross-reference number, case number, citation number, or warrant number). For more information on family court records, contact the Family Court Clerk by phone at (401) 822-6725 or by fax at (401) 822-6730.

Kent Dissolution of Marriage Records

Dissolution of marriage records can be viewed at the Family Court’s computer terminal during business hours. Copies of dissolution of marriage records can also be obtained at the courthouse for a fee. Inquirers who cannot visit the courthouse can request dissolution of marriage records through the Rhode Island Judicial Public Portal. A search can be conducted by name or number.

Kent County Marriage and Divorce Records

The Family Court’s Domestic Relations Clerk handles all divorce cases in Kent County. Record seekers can visit the courthouse during business hours to view or obtain copies of divorce records. The courthouse has a computer terminal where anyone can conduct divorce record searches electronically. Alternatively, a divorce records search can be conducted through the Rhode Island Judicial Public Portal. The search criteria are by name or record number.

Kent County Marriage records are deemed confidential. They are only open to individuals with a direct interest in the record, such as record holders, parents, siblings, grandparents, children, and legal representatives. Kent County marriage certificate can be retrieved online, by mail, or in person at the Clerk's office where the marriage license was issued. In-person marriage records cost $22, mail copies cost $25, and duplicates cost $18. For example, the West Greenwich Town Clerk issues certified copies of marriage records in person upon completion of a form by a qualified person. In-person requests should be made during business hours from Monday to Friday, 8:30 a.m. to 4:00 p.m. The Clerk does not issue photocopies of marriage records. Mail applicants must send a completed Application for Marriage Record form, a copy of a valid photo ID, a check, and a self-addressed stamped envelope.

Kent Birth and Death Records

Kent County birth records and death records are vital records. These Kent County vital records are confidential. Only individuals with a direct and tangible interest in the records can request copies. Only the following individuals are eligible to obtain copies of Kent County birth and death records:

• A person with a court order
• Subject of records (this applies to Kent County birth certificate applicants).
• The record holder's father, mother, guardian, sibling, or authorized agent.
• A person who needs the information on the vital record to determine or protect personal or property rights
• An attorney, title examiner, or members of authorized genealogical societies conducting official duties.

Requests for certified copies of birth and death records can be processed in person or by mail at any city or town Clerk's office in Kent County. In-person requests are handled during business hours, and they cost $22 per first copy and $18 for additional copies. Fees are payable by cash, check, or money order. Mail requesters must submit a completed application form accompanied by a check, a photocopy of their driver's license, and a self-addressed stamped envelope. This service costs $25. For example, individuals can get Kent County birth certificates and death certificates from the Warwick City Clerk's Office. The Clerk issues birth and death certificates from Monday to Friday, 8:30 a.m. to 3:30 p.m. Requests by mail require submitting an Application for birth certificate or an Application for death record. Applications should be mailed to:

The City of Warwick
Vital Records
3275 Post Road
Warwick, RI 02886

Kent County Probate Court Records

City or Town Clerks are the custodians of probate court records in Kent County. However, all probate appeals are heard in the Kent County Superior Court. Probate record requests should be made in person at the Clerk’s Office in the city or town where the case was heard. A name or case number will be required to process the request.

Kent County Property Records

Property records can be obtained at several city and town offices. These offices keep records such as deeds, mortgages, discharges, assignments, liens, maps, surveys, releases, and property taxes. Individuals can find property records at the following offices:

• City/town Clerk's Offices: Record seekers can obtain property records in person, by mail, or online at the clerk’s office in the city or town where the property is recorded. City/Town Clerks charges $1.50 per recorded page, and a certified copy costs an additional $3. For example, the West Warwick Town Clerk issues property records online through the Land Evidence Records Look-up portal and in person during business hours. Users of the portal can click the “Search Records as a Guest” and conduct a search by name, recording date, instrument number, case number, or book/page.
• City/town Assessor’s Offices: The websites of the City/town Assessor’s Offices are public access points for property records. Click on the Tax Roll or Tax Bill links, online database, or maps available on the website to view property records. Alternatively, requesters can visit the West Warwick, West Greenwich, East Greenwich, Coventry, or Warwick Tax Assessor's office during business hours to request property records.
• City/town Tax Collector's Offices: These Offices issue property tax records online and in person. Some, like the Warwick Tax Collector's Office, have a designated Property Lookup portal where individuals can find property tax records. The search criteria are owner, address, account number, parcel ID, or internal PID.

Kent County Court Records Online

Record seekers can use third-party online resources to access court records in Kent County. The most common one is rhodeislandcourtrecords.us, which provides information across multiple jurisdictions. Third-party sites provide name-based searches where users must provide a first or last name. Basic court records information can be viewed for free on these sites, but full court records report attracts a small fee.