How to Find Rhode Island Death Records

United States US Vital Records How to Find United States Deaths Rhode Island Vital Records Rhode Island Deaths

Finding Rhode Island Death Records

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

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

1. Look first in	2. Then search
Church Records Newspapers Military Records Obituaries	Census Records Cemetery Records Death Records Bible Records

Next Step: When did the death occur?	Death Records Choose a time period: Deaths 1636 to present Death year unknown

Learn more about U.S. Death Records

Deaths 1636 to present

Towns began keeping death 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 deaths began in 1853 and was generally complied with by the 1900s.

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

Rhode Island Deaths Databases - Includes Index and Digital Images
Try:
	1724-1916 - At FamilySearch.org	Free; Rhode Island, Marriages, 1724-1916: Name index to death records from the state of Rhode Island.
Try:
	1802-1950 - At FamilySearch.org	Free; Rhode Island, Deaths and Burials, 1802-1950: Name index to death and burial records from the state of Rhode Island.
Try:
	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.
Try:
	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.
Can't find your ancestor in the online index?		Tips for searching online indexes
No death record for your ancestor?		other records with death information.

Obtain the Record

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

To Order Death Certificates
From Town of the Death		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	records 100 years and older have no restrictions	May be more expensive than ordering from the Town

Record Restrictions

There are no restrictions for obtaining a certificate for a death that occurred 50 or more years ago.

To obtain a record for a death that occurred less than 50 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

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

1. Look first in	2. Then search
Church Records Newspapers Military Records Obituaries	Census Records Cemetery Records Death Records Bible Records

Return to top: Choose another death year

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