Birth, Death, Marriage, and Civil Union Records

Vital Records are birth, death, marriage, and civil union documents. They are legal documents that contain information about the vital events of people in our society. Certified copies of vital records are used for many purposes, such as to establish proof of age, receive social security benefits, and receive death benefits from life insurance policies.

What We Do

In addition to registering, filing, and issuing vital records and publishing data, the Office of Vital Records can:

• Correct birth, death, marriage, and/or civil union records.
• Update records following legal name changes.
• Create new certificates of birth following court orders of adoption and paternity. (more)
• Issue a "Certificate of Foreign Birth" for children born in a foreign country and adopted by a Rhode Island resident. This service is provided by appointment only. (more)
• Meet with parents to complete voluntary affidavits of paternity or legitimations. This service is provided by appointment only. (more)
• Provide aggregate data and information to data users and researchers upon approval.

What You Should Do

• Know how to apply for a copy of a birth, death, marriage, or civil union record or a marriage/civil union license.
• Contact the State Office of Vital Records for information on record corrections and required documentation.
• Gather all required identification. (more)
• Provide appropriate payment. (more)