State Vital Records in Rhode Island
The Rhode Island Department of Health - Center for Vital Records issues certified copies of death certificates for deaths that occurred in Rhode Island. Executors and surviving family order certified copies to close accounts, file insurance claims, and transfer titles; the office sets the fees, eligibility rules, and processing times.
Administering agency
Rhode Island Department of Health - Center for Vital Records
State Vital Records in Rhode Island: key facts
- Administering office
- Rhode Island Department of Health - Center for Vital Records.
- Contact
- Phone 401-222-2812.
- Office location
- Center for Vital Records, Simpson Hall, 6 Harrington Rd., Cranston, RI 02920. 7:30 AM - 3:30 PM, Weekdays.
- Certificate fee
- $22 for the first certified copy; $18 for each additional copy ordered at the same time; expedited processing adds $7.
- Processing time
- 4-6 weeks for mail. Expedited: 5-7 business days with rush service.
- Who may order
- Registrant; Direct family member; Legal representative.
- Filing deadline
- The death certificate must be filed within 7 days.
- Public record
- Death records become public 50 years after the death.
- Records available from
- 1853.
Steps to take when someone dies
- Confirm the death occurred in Rhode Island — the record belongs to the state where the death occurred, regardless of where the deceased lived.
- Order certified copies through any of the office's channels:
- Online: Order through VitalChek
- By mail: Mail request with completed application and payment. Takes 4-6 weeks ($25 first copy)
- In person: Visit Center for Vital Records at Simpson Hall ($22 first copy). Rush orders +$7
- Include what the office requires with the order:
- Valid government-issued photo ID
- OR two documents with name and current address if no photo ID
- Allow the office's processing time (4-6 weeks for mail); expedited handling is available.
Rhode Island Department of Health - Center for Vital Records
Phone: 401-222-2812
Visit the agency website →Frequently asked questions
by mail: Mail request with completed application and payment. Takes 4-6 weeks ($25 first copy). in person: Visit Center for Vital Records at Simpson Hall ($22 first copy). Rush orders +$7. The office is at Center for Vital Records, Simpson Hall, 6 Harrington Rd., Cranston, RI 02920.
The death certificate must be filed within 7 days. The funeral director or person in charge of disposition files the certificate with the state; the family orders certified copies once the record is registered.
Valid government-issued photo ID; OR two documents with name and current address if no photo ID. The office also asks for the deceased's full name, date of death, and place of death to locate the record.
The record belongs to the state where the death occurred, not the state of residence. Order from the state of death, following its fees and eligibility rules.
Sources
Data sourced from State Vital Records in Rhode Island primary sources (1 page reviewed). How we research.
Administering agency
Rhode Island Department of Health - Center for Vital Records