Our business hours are 8:30 a.m. to 4:30 p.m. Monday – Friday (We close at 4:00 p.m. during July and August).
Phone: 401-680-5213
- We issue certified birth, marriage, and death certificates, marriage licenses and file records for deaths that take place in Providence.
- We do not accept cash.
- All RI birth certificates born in 1960 and after can be obtained from any city or town hall in the state.
How to Request a Record from Providence
You can:
- Visit City Hall to make an in-person request
– You must fill-out the appropriate form (listed below) for a birth, death or marriage certificate and will need to show a valid photo ID. - Request record(s) by mail
– You must fill-out the appropriate form (listed below) for a birth, death or marriage certificate, provide a copy of a valid photo ID, include correct payment (fees listed below) and include a self-addressed return envelope- Expedited service is available by including a pre-paid, overnight return envelope with your request. You are responsible for paying postage both ways.
- Request your record online through this link – State of RI: Birth, Death & Marriage Records
- Please note: The issuance of marriage licenses is in-person Monday through Friday from 9:00 a.m. to 3:30 and 9:00a.m to 3:00p.m. (July & August). BOTH parties must be present with all of the required documents.
F.A.Q.
How much does it cost?
- Marriage License: $24.00 (+ a $3.00 processing fee)
- Marriage Certificate: $22.00 (walk-in) / $25.00 (mail-in)
- Death Certificate: $22.00 (walk-in) / $25.00 (mail-in)
- Birth Certificate: $22.00 (walk-in) / $25.00 (mail-in)
- All records are an additional $18 for each additional copy requested that day
- OUR OFFICE DOES NOT ACCEPT CASH. PAYMENTS MUST BE MADE BY CHECK, MONEY ORDER, OR DEBIT OR CREDIT CARD.
- CHECKS AND MONEY ORDERS SHOULD BE MADE PAYABLE TO THE “CITY OF PROVIDENCE”
Marriage License:
If both people live in Rhode Island, you can apply for a marriage license at the city or town hall where either person lives.
- If only one person lives in Rhode Island, apply for a marriage license from the city or town hall where the Rhode Islander lives.
- If neither person lives in Rhode Island, apply for a marriage license from the clerks’ office in the city or town where the marriage ceremony will be performed.
What if I do not have a photo ID?
- You must provide two pieces of mail that state your name and address; no junk mail will be accepted.
Who can obtain a birth, death, or marriage record?
- Members of the immediate family only (mother, father, brother, sister, and grandparents) as well as attorneys with a copy of their bar card and ID.
What if I there is an error on my record?
- You must contact the State of RI Department of Health. They are the only entity that can make any changes to records.
What if I do not know my date of marriage?
- You must request your record through the State of RI Department of Health.
Marriage License Request a Marriage or Civil Union Certificate Spanish Translated Certificate Requests Paperbased – Request a Death Certificate Paperbased – Request a Birth Certificate Municipal ID
Application forms are available below (in PDF format) for you to download, fill-out, and hand-deliver or mail to the Department of Vital Records at 25 Dorrance Street, Providence RI 02903.
