Are Rhode Island Records Public?

Rhode Island records are open to the public. Under the state's Access to Public Records Act, interested public members can request and obtain public documents from government agencies. State law determines the process for accessing records, and the agency is responsible for keeping and issuing them.

Besides the APRA, the Rhode Island Open Meeting Act governs access to public records. However, this law applies only to records generated during government agencies or public meetings. It also restricts access to certain records, such as records containing information whose disclosure is not in the public interest.

Who Can Access Rhode Island Public Records?

Under the Rhode Island General Laws § 38-2-3(a), all persons or entities can access Rhode Island public records from record custodians. This means out-of-state residents can also view and get public records.

That said, there are certain criteria that determine accessibility to public records. For example, you can only obtain a public document in the format in which it was stored. Furthermore, you must provide a valid ID when requesting sensitive or confidential data. Record custodians will only issue public records to legal-eligible requesters.

Do I Need to State My Purpose and Use When Requesting Public Records in Rhode Island?

Generally, record seekers do not need to state their reasons for requesting public records in Rhode Island. State law also prohibits record custodians from requesting a statement of purpose and from demanding a valid ID before releasing records. Nevertheless, record seekers must fulfill certain criteria for easy access to public records. For example, requesters must provide enough information about the record in question. They may also create written request statements via mail or email before accessing records.

What Records are Public in Rhode Island?

Multiple Rhode Island records fall under the public records category. The state public records law defines all government-generated records as public documents. Examples of these records are arrest information, criminal records, sex offenders’ information, court case records, and bankruptcy records.

Rhode Island Public Court Records

In Rhode Island, public court records are official files that provide information on court-related activities, such as case proceedings and judicial decisions. The court records contain different information based on the record category and format. In terms of record category, Rhode Island criminal case records may feature the following information:

• The defendant's name and contact details
• Court summons
• Arrest warrants (if issued to the defendant)
• Criminal records information, which may include the offense description
• Case evidence supporting the defendant or plaintiff's case
• Transcript of court motions and actions
• The court's final verdict

Rhode Island court records are accessible at the courts where the case was filed. Record subjects do not need to file a record request; they only need to contact the court clerk's office to obtain their case records. However, other public members must create a request letter to obtain court records in Rhode Island. The letter must contain enough information about the record subject.

The Rhode Island Judiciary also maintains an online search portal for case records. To use the portal, requesters must provide search information, such as the county where the case was heard.

Note: Federal and state statutes restrict access to certain court records. These records may contain private information, which may violate the record subject's right to privacy or security. For example, adoption proceedings are exempt from public disclosure.

Rhode Island Public Criminal Records

Rhode Island criminal records contain an individual's criminal history. Record seekers may find arrest information, court convictions, and other information in these records. The Rhode Island Attorney General's Office, via the Bureau of Criminal Investigations, keeps criminal records in the state. Furthermore, the agency allows in-person or mail requests for records in their custody. To obtain Rhode Island criminal records, interested parties must follow this guide:

1. Complete a signed and authorized request form
2. Attach a copy of a valid photo ID card
3. Include a $5 processing fee. For mail-based requests, use a money order or check payable to "BCI”.
4. Send the documents via mail or present them in person to:

Rhode Island Office of The Attorney General
4 Howard Avenue
Cranston, RI 02920

For mail requests, you must send the required documents in a self-addressed, stamped envelope.

Rhode Island Public Arrest Records

In Rhode Island, arrest records are publicly accessible. The state's law enforcement agencies maintain these records. Thus, record seekers must contact the agencies to obtain arrest information. For example, the Cranston Police Department keeps a monthly arrest log on its website.

Rhode Island Public Bankruptcy Records

In Rhode Island, public bankruptcy records are official documents pertaining to bankruptcy cases. The records also consist of documents created before and after bankruptcy case proceedings. That said, bankruptcy records in Rhode Island will typically contain these details:

• The defendant's and debtor’s names and address
• Case number, disposition, and filing date
• The assigned trustee
• The debtor's financial information
• The court judge's name

Bankruptcy records may contain different contents based on the bankruptcy chapter filed at the courthouse. Record seekers can find bankruptcy records at the United States Bankruptcy Court - District of Rhode Island. The court provides access to court records through these options:

• Online access via the PACER search portal.
• Calling the clerk's office at (401) 626-3100. You must provide the bankruptcy case docket number and case number to get certified copies.
• Mail requests to get bankruptcy records. The request must contain the following information:
  • Bankruptcy case number. You can obtain the case number by calling the court's toll-free number at (866) 222-8029.
  • Docket number. This information is accessible through the PACER portal.
  • Your phone number.
  • The required search fee

Send the requests in a self-addressed, stamped envelope to:

US Bankruptcy Court
District of Rhode Island
380 Westminster Street,
6th Floor
Providence, RI 02903
Email: rib_helpdesk@rib.uscourts.gov

Rhode Island Public Birth Records

Rhode Island public birth records may contain information on the following:

• Subject's name, sex, birth date, and place of birth
• Certificate number
• Filing date
• Father's name
• Mother's maiden name
• State file number

Rhode Island birth records are not publicly accessible, and only the following persons can obtain them:

• The record subject
• Subject's immediate family relations
• Legal representatives
• Persons empowered by a court to obtain the record
• Persons who need the information to protect property or personal rights

Rhode Island's Department of Health serves as the record custodian for birth records. Furthermore, it offers in-person or mail-in access to the records. To obtain Rhode Island birth records, record seekers must take these steps:

1. Fill out, download, and print the birth record request form
2. Include a copy of a valid government-issued identification card. The agency accepts driver's licenses, military IDs, and passports.
3. Attach the applicable fee. For in-person requests, birth records cost $22 for the first copy and $18 for additional copies. If you're using the mail requests option, it costs $25 for the first copy
4. Send the documents via mail or in person to:

Center for Vital Records
Simpson Hall
6 Harrington Road
Cranston, RI 02920

Rhode Island Public Death Records

In Rhode Island, public death records provide information on death events and may cover these details:

• The deceased's name, sex, race, and final residence
• Place and time of death
• Place and time of birth
• Local and state file numbers
• Cause of death
• Certifying physician's name and signature
• Cemetery Name

The Rhode Island Department of Health maintains all death-related records via the Center for Vital Records. Thus, record seekers can obtain death records from the agency through these steps:

1. Fill out and print a death record request form.
2. Attach a copy of a valid government-issued ID.
3. Include the applicable search fee. The agency accepts all payment options for in-person requests. Rhode Island death records cost $23 and $25 for in-person and mail-based requests, respectively.
4. Send the documents and fee to the Department of Health at:

Center for Vital Records
Simpson Hall
6 Harrington Road
Cranston, RI 02920

Rhode Island death certificates are not publicly accessible; the record seeker must be legally eligible to request the document. According to the Center for Vital Records, eligible requesters may include one of the following:

• The deceased's immediate family members
• Legal representatives
• Persons who need the record to protect personal or property rights.

Rhode Island Public Marriage Records

Public marriage records in Rhode Island may feature these details:

• The couple's full names and birthdates
• Parents’ names
• Officiant's name
• Place and date of marriage
• Registrar's signature
• The court clerk who issued the record

Record seekers will find Rhode Island marriage records at the Department of Health's Center for Vital Records. The state agency permits in-person and mail-based requests for marriage records. Interested parties can obtain the records by sending a mail or in-person request to the agency at:

Center for Vital Records
Simpson Hall
6 Harrington Road
Cranston, RI 02920

The request must include a completed request letter, a copy of a valid ID, and the applicable search/copy fee.

Note: Marriage records are only accessible to the requesters that fall under these categories:

• The record subject
• Immediate family relations
• Legal representatives
• Persons backed by a court order to get the record
• Persons who need the record to protect personal or property rights.

Rhode Island Public Divorce Records

In Rhode Island, public divorce records may include these details:

• Couple's full names, birth place, residence, and birth date
• Place and date of the marriage
• Place and date of the divorce
• Number of children in the union
• Record docket number
• State file number

Record seekers can also obtain Rhode Island's public divorce records at the family court clerk's office in each county. The clerk records all divorce decrees issued within their county.

Rhode Island Public Inmate Records

Both state and non-state residents can access public inmate records in Rhode Island. The Rhode Island Department of Corrections is the designated record custodian of inmate records. Furthermore, the agency maintains a search portal for all inmates incarcerated within the state's correctional facilities. To look up public Rhode Island inmate records, requesters must fill out the required search details on the portal.

Conversely, record seekers must inquire about inmate records in person by visiting the agency at this address:

40 Howard Avenue
Cranston, RI 02920
Phone: (401) 462-3900 (Records & ID)

In Rhode Island, inmate records will typically contain the following details:

• Offender's name and physical attributes
• Inmate identification number
• Incarceration details, such as sentence duration
• The correctional facility that's currently holding the inmate

Note: Rhode Island does not restrict access to inmate records unless they contain information that is exempt under state or federal laws.

Rhode Island Public Sex Offender Information

In Rhode Island, sex offenders’ information is accessible to all record seekers. The Rhode Island State Police monitors and maintains a search portal for finding sex offenders. The online database enables requesters to identify offenders living in the state. It may also feature a list of absconded or yet-to-register sex offenders. To obtain Rhode Island sex offender data, you must input the required search information on the portal.

That being said, record-seekers must not use this data to harass, intimidate, or threaten offenders. The online registry only increases awareness and protects the community from potential danger.

Rhode Island Public Property Records

Rhode Island property records are official documents containing property-related data. They may include information on liens, mortgages, property valuations, taxes, maps, parcel IDs, and lots.

In Rhode Island, you will find public property records at local-level agencies. These agencies oversee property information in a city or town. In some cases, Rhode Island cities may have more than one custodian agency. Take Narragansett, for instance; the city has separate agencies for land records and tax assessment.

Note: Rhode Island maintains a directory of local-level custodians of property records.

What is Exempted Under the Rhode Island Public Records Act?

The APRA 38-2-6 redacts or restricts access to certain Rhode Island public records. Furthermore, it empowers record custodians to refuse requests for these records. The exempt documents typically contain information that, if disclosed, will harm an individual's right to privacy or security. For example, adoption and child custody records are not public documents. Other exempt documents include:

• Documents that may interfere with criminal investigation or proceeding
• Security plans or strategies utilized by military or law enforcement agencies
• Individual test scores in licensing examinations or professional certifications
• Credit card details in the custody of state or federal agencies
• Tax returns.

How can I access or challenge exempt records in Rhode Island?

You must be legally eligible to access exempt records in Rhode Island. In most situations, the record subjects and specific government agencies have the legal right to obtain these records.

If you are legally eligible to access exempt records, you may file a petition with the Personnel Appeal Board or the superior court.

How Do I Find Public Records in Rhode Island?

Interested parties must follow these general steps to obtain Rhode Island public records:

1. Find the agency responsible for keeping the records
   Start your search with government agencies since they are mostly responsible for maintaining public records in the state. Agencies generally maintain records that align with their duties. For example, law enforcement agencies are custodians of arrest information. If unsure where to start, type “the record type+Rhode Island” on search engines.
2. Determine if you are eligible to obtain the record.
   In Rhode Island, not all public records are accessible to requesters. Some records are outright exempt from public access, while others are accessible to only eligible requesters. Rhode Island vital records are examples of confidential records. To check if you are eligible, search the agency's website for more information. You can also contact the agency to get more information.
3. Select a public record request method.
   Online searches, in-person visits, and mail requests are some of the common ways to obtain public records. Some agencies may feature only one, while others may allow two or more request options. For example, the Center for Vital Records offers access to records through in-person and mail requests.
4. Fulfill the requirements for accessing the record.
   The requirements may include filling out a request form, paying the applicable fees, or attaching a valid ID. Most record custodians will outline the request requirements and provide a step-by-step guide.
5. Wait for the agency to process your request.
   Online searches are instantaneous and do not have a waiting period. However, you may wait for at least ten days to receive records through mail requests.

Can I Find Free Public Records in Rhode Island Using Third-Party Sites?

Third-party sites are resources for finding free public records in Rhode Island. As the name implies, they are mostly unregulated and do not have affiliations with official government bodies. Nevertheless, the sites are easy to use and do not restrict out-of-state or country requesters. Despite the obvious perks, the sites are not trustworthy sources of Rhode Island public records. They may feature inaccurate or incomplete information.

How Much Do Public Records Cost in Rhode Island?

In Rhode Island, it costs $0.15 per page for public documents printed on legal size paper. However, agencies may include additional fees after considering these factors.

• Time spent in retrieving the record
• Number of copies
• Certification
• The request option.

For instance, the Rhode Island Department of Public Safety does not charge for the first hour spent retrieving public records. However, it charges $15 for each additional hour.

Note: requesters must petition the court to get a fee waiver or fee reduction. The court will grant the order if the requested information is in the public interest.

What Happens if I Am Refused a Public Records Request?

Follow these steps if a record custodian denies your record request:

Step 1: Determine the reasons behind the record refusal

Per the Access to Public Records Act, record custodians must provide reasons for denying your request in writing. The reasons may include the following:

• The requested information is exempt under state or federal laws
• The document is not available in the requested format
• The requester is not eligible to obtain the record

Step 2: Appeal or challenge the agency's decisions

You can appeal the record denial via these options:

• File an appeal with the chief administrative officer in the custodian agency.
• File a complaint with the Personnel Appeal Board. Contact the agency at (401) 222-1280 and request to be connected to the PAB Administrative Assistant.
• File a civil complaint in the state's superior court
• File a complaint with the Attorney General's Office. To get more information about the process, requesters must contact the Attorney General's Office via email at opengovernment@riag.ri.gov or by phone at (401) 274-4400. Next, they must ask to connect with the Open Government Unit.