How to Find Rhode Island Birth Records: Difference between revisions

Revision as of 14:31, 21 August 2014

How to Find United States Deaths Rhode Island Deaths

State wide registration of births in Rhode Island began in 1853. Earlier birth records dating back to 1636 were kept by the towns.

If you cannot locate your ancestor in the databases below, try searching for birth information in other records.

Next Step: When did the birth occur? [edit | edit source]

Birth Records

Choose a time period:

Births 1636 to present
Birth year unknown

Learn more about U.S. Birth Records

Births 1636 to present[edit | edit source]

Towns began keeping birth records as early as 1636. In 1700 the laws concerning vital records registration were made more specific and the records after that time are more complete. State wide registration of births began in 1853 and was generally complied with by the 1900s.

For births that occurred in this time period try the following databases:

Rhode Island Births Databases - Includes Index and Digital Images
	1600-1914 - At FamilySearch.org	Free; Rhode Island Births and Christenings: Name index to birth, baptism and christening records from a variety of sources.
	1636-1850 Vital Records of Rhode Island, First Series, Births, Marriages and Deaths: a family register for the people	Ancestry Library edition - Free at FamilySearch Centers and Libraries; Find your local FamilySearch Center OR use your own Ancestry subscription.
	1636-1899 Rhode Island, Vital Extracts	Ancestry Library edition - Free at FamilySearch Centers and Libraries; Find your local FamilySearch Center OR use your own Ancestry subscription.
	1636-1930 Rhode Island, Births	Ancestry Library edition - Free at FamilySearch Centers and Libraries; Find your local FamilySearch Center OR use your own Ancestry subscription.

Can't find your ancestor in the online index?		Tips for searching online indexes
No birth record for your ancestor?		Other records with birth information

Obtain the Record[edit | edit source]

With the approximate birth year and place, you can locate birth records available through the city or town where the birth occurred or from the Rhode Island State Archives.

To Order Birth Certificates
From Town of Birth		Rhode Island State Archives
Pros	Cons	Pros	Cons
May be less expensive and faster than ordering from the state	Town websites can be more difficult to use	State will conduct a search for a fee	May be more expensive than ordering from the Town

Record Restrictions[edit | edit source]

There are no restrictions for obtaining a certificate for a birth that occurred 100 or more years ago.

To obtain a record for a birth that occurred less than 100 year ago you must be:

person named on the certificate
a member of his/her immediate family
his/her guardian, or an authorized agent of these individuals
Attorneys-at-law, title examiners, or members of legally incorporated genealogical societies conducting their official duties
person requiring information to determine or protect a personal or property right
person who has been granted a court order instructing the registrar to provide the document

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If you do not want to order the birth record, you can search other records with birth information.