by The importance of birth records made it a must that they be kept as they play a major role in determining a lot of issues in our lives. We are able to determine someone’s age with them, for example. This makes one wonder then how to find birth records, important as they are. On this article we are going to discuss ways on how to find birth records in Rhode Island.
With a population that stands at 1 million, Rhode Island is situated in the northeastern part of the New England region in the United States. Rhode Island began recording births in 1853 on a statewide scale. There are birth records that date back to as early as 1636. These were kept by the towns.
There were laws that were passed in 1700 pertaining the recording of vital records. These laws were specific and brought clarity as to how the records were to be recorded making the records more complete. Even though statewide registration was imposed in 1853, compliance was achieved by 1900s.
For birth records that happened before 1853, you can try the following indexes:
Rhode Island Births Index (1639 – 1932)
Rhode Island Births and Christenings (1600 – 1914)
Rhodes Island Vital Records (1846 – 1898, 1901 – 1953)
Rhode Island State Births (1819, 1852 – 1900)
Table of Contents
The Importance of Birth Records
Rhode Island conduct birth registration for numerous reasons. One of them is to determine population growth as well as uncover trends in the distribution of the population. Birth records also come in handy when planning public health policies.
Individuals born in Rhodes Island will need these records to prove identity and citizenship, obtain passports, driver’s licenses, school enrollment, social security number registration to name some of them.
These records also help in genealogical studies as they help trace family history and confirm lineages. They also assist social scientists determine relationships among particular individuals in different groups.
Restrictions on Birth Records in Rhode Island
Birth records are regarded as confidential documents for the first 100 years in Rhode Island after which they become public records and can be accessed by anyone who wants them. In the meantime, individuals who are interested in ordering birth records in Rhode Island must prove that they are eligible to access such records.
Individuals who are eligible for copies of birth records that are within the last 100 years in Rhode Island include the following:
- person named on the certificate (registrant)
- a member of his/her close family
- his/her guardian, or a legal agent of these individuals
- Attorneys, title examiners, or affiliates of legally incorporated genealogical societies performing their official duties
- An individual requiring information to determine or protect a personal or property right
- An individual who has been given a court order instructing the registrar to provide the document
These are the individuals who are permitted to obtain a birth certificate that has been recorded within the last 100 years.
Information Found on Birth Records in Rhode Island
Rhode Island birth certificates has the following basic information:
- Full name of the record owner or child whose birth is recorded
- Record owner’s gender
- Date of birth
- Time of birth
- Place of birth
- Type of birth
- Full name of the father
- Full name of the mother including her maiden name
- Mother’s marital status
- Birth registration number
How to Obtain Birth Records in Rhode Island
Eligible individuals can access birth records in Rhode Island from the state’s Vital Records Office. Applications can be made by filling in the birth record order form. This form must have such details as:
- The name of the record owner (registrant)
- The maiden name of the record owner’s mother and the full name of their father
- The place and approximate date the birth occurred
- The record owner’s relationship to the applicant
- Why the record is being requested
Online Birth Records in Rhode Island
There is no way to obtain birth records online that has been set up by Rhode Island as they are considered confidential. However, there is a third party provider that Rhode Island Department of Health has partnered with that eligible individuals can use to get birth records online. For additional information on applying for birth records online you can visit the order page of the Rhode Island Vital Records Office.
For those records who are above 100 years, which are regarded as public records, applicants can search for them on third party sites who offer vital records. This is a recommended option as searches from these sites is faster. These sites also have no geographical limitations as searches can be done across the country on them.
That is why you will have to use full name of the record owner and the person’s current location (city, county, state) when searching from them. This will assist in filtering unwanted results from other parts of the country.
Another great source for birth records that are over 100 years in the Rhode Island State Archives.
In Person Birth Records in Rhode Island
The Center for Vital Records of the Department of Health is the one that provide birth records in Rhode Island which is located at:
Room 101
3 Capitol Hill
Providence, RI 02908
Applicants are required to provide the Application for a Certified Copy of a Birth Certificate with a valid government issued ID and required payment.
Mail Birth Records in Rhode Island
Mail requests can be made by completing the Application for a Certified Copy of a Birth Certificate form and submitting it with the necessary payment and valid government legal ID to the following address:
Rhode Island Department of Health
Vital Records Office, Room 101
3 Capitol Hill
Providence, RI 02908
With these ideas, you have a solution on how to find birth records in Rhode Island. There are solutions for new and old birth records in the state from here.
