Kenneth S. Carlson Reference Archivist Rhode Island State Archives 337 Westminster Street Providence, RI 02903 Phone (401) 222 - 2353 Fax (401) 222 - 3199 TTY: 711 Email: reference@sec.state.ri.us Website: www.sec.state.ri.us/archives VITAL RECORDS ORDER GUIDELINES 1. All requests must be made on a Vital Records Order Form. 2. Only one type of record (e.g., birth, marriage, or death) for one name may be requested on a Form. 3. No more than two Vital Records Order Forms may be submitted at one time. Please wait for our response before sending further requests. 4. All requests for vital records must include an approximate date for the birth, marriage, or death sought. If you are unsure of the date, we ask that you include a five year period for the search (e.g., 1870-1875) as well as any information that will assist, such as parents' names, town/city of residence, etc. 5. Requests for vital records before 1853 must include the name of the city or town since no statewide index exists to facilitate a search of the early town records. 6. Photocopies of records will be provided at a cost of $.15 per page. Certified copies of state records (births, marriages, deaths recorded from 1853) can be provided at a cost of $2.00 per record. Requests for certification of pre-1853 vital records must be directed to the city or town that holds the original record. ****PLEASE DO NOT SEND MONEY**** **** YOU WILL BE NOTIFIED OF ANY CHARGES*** Note: Rhode Island General Laws stipulate that all records of birth and marriage are closed for a period of one-hundred (100) years. Death records are restricted for a period of fifty (50) years. Records of birth, marriage, and death available at the State Archives are as follows: Town Vitals: Prior to 1853 - microfilm copies only. Original records are maintained by the individual cities and towns. Births and Marriages: 1853-1903 (statewide index available) Deaths: 1853-1953 (statewide index available) Requests for copies of statewide filings of births and marriages after 1903 and deaths after 1953 must be requested from the Department of Health, Office of Vital Records, For more information call 401-222-2812. ****THIS FORM MAY BE COPIED**** VITAL RECORDS ORDER FORM Type of Record: _____ Birth _____ Marriage _____ Death (Select only one) _____ photocopy (.15/pg.) _______ certified copy ($2.00) Name of Individual Sought: First:__________________ Middle: ______________ Last:_______________ Date of Birth/Marriage/Death: _______________________________________ Place of event: _____________________________________________________ Parents' Names: _________________________________________________ Spouse: ________________________________________________________ Your Name: ___________________________ Address: ______________________________ _____________________________