Vital Records and Marriage Licenses

Birth, Death and Marriage Records

What are Vital Records?
Vital Records are birth, death, and marriage documents. Certified copies of records are used for many purposes, such as to establish proof of age, to receive social security benefits, and to receive death benefits from life insurance policies.

Who can apply or obtain Vital Records?
Vital records are confidential. Therefore, only those individuals who have what is called a "Direct and Tangible Interest" in the records may have access to records. The following individuals and/or groups make-up those having direct and tangible interest:

How and where do I obtain copies? - Birth, Marriage, Deaths

Online: Have your credit card and a copy of your valid government issued identification ready and follow the link below. Choose Burrillville from the drop down, we'll get your request and send your vital record to you within 1-2 business days.



By mail: You can obtain a copy of a record for a birth or marriage from the City or Town where the event occurred by using this request form. You can also request copies of a record for a birth or marriage that occurred less than 100 years ago or a death that occurred less than 50 years ago by writing to the Office of Vital Records, 6 Harrington Road, Cranston, RI 02920. Please be advised that in most cases, you will receive your records more quickly from the City and Town locations.

In-person: requests may be made in person at the office of the town clerk where the event occurred. You can go to the RI Department of Health Vital Records website for more information.

Fees
Request by Mail:  $25.00 for one copy / $18.00 for each additional copy of the same record issued at the same time.
Request in Person:  $22.00 for one copy / $18.00 for each additional copy of the same record issued at the same time.
Request online:  $25.00 for one copy plus $5.00 credit card convenience fee / $18.00 for each additional copy of the same record issued at the same time.

Marriage Licenses

How to get a marriage license
*Both people must apply for the license in person and sign the application*

Rhode Island residents
If both applicants live in Rhode Island, apply for the license in the city or town of the residence of either applicant. The marriage license is valid in any city or town in Rhode Island and the couple may be married anywhere in Rhode Island.

If one applicant lives in Rhode Island the license should be issued from the city or town of residence of that applicant.

Non-residents
If neither applicant lives in Rhode Island, the marriage license must be obtained in the city or town where the ceremony will take place. Rhode Island law states that the marriage license is valid only in the city or town in which it was issued. If the ceremony is performed in a city or town other than where it was issued, the validity of the marriage may be in question.

Provide required identification and legal documents
Both partners are responsible for presenting:

• Proof of birth facts (a certified copy of the birth certificate) and a valid form of identification (a drivers license and/or passport). 
• If previously married or in a civil union, a certified copy of the final decree of divorce or dissolution of the civil union (with the raised or original stamped court seal), or a certified copy of the death certificate of the previous spouse/partner.

Fee
Marriage licenses cost $24.