- Home
- Government
- Departments
- Town Clerk
- Vital Records
Vital Records
Obtaining 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:
Birth Certificates
The Town Clerk’s Office maintains copies of births, which occurred in Richmond or for residents of Richmond who were living here at the time of the birth. Certified copies may be requested in person or via mail. The cost is $20 for the first copy and $15 for each additional copy.
The request must include the number of copies wanted, the full name on the birth record, date of birth, town where birth occurred, the father’s full name, the mother’s full maiden name, your relationship to the person named on the certificate, your signature, why you need the record, a daytime telephone number, a copy of your driver’s license, and a self-addressed stamped envelope, and a check made payable to the Town of Richmond. If further information is needed, please call the Town Clerk’s Office at 401-539-9000 ext. 9.
Death Certificates
The Town Clerk’s Office only issues certified copies of death certificates of individuals who died within Richmond or who were residents of Richmond at the time of their death. Certified copies of death certificates will only be issued to the next of kin or to persons with a legal right to the information. Certified copies may be requested in person or via mail. The cost is $20 for the first copy and $15 for each additional copy.
The request must include the number of copies wanted, the full name of the decedent, date of death, town where death occurred if not in Richmond, your relationship to the person named on the certificate, your signature, why you need the record, a daytime telephone number, a copy of your driver’s license, and a self-addressed stamped envelope, and a check made payable to the Town of Richmond. If further information is needed, please call the Town Clerk’s Office at 401-539-9000 ext. 9.
Application for Marriage License
Marriage licenses are obtained in the town where the bride is a resident. If the bride is from out of state, the license is obtained where the groom is a resident. If both parties are from out of state, the license is obtained in the town where they are going to be married. The cost of a marriage license is $24. There are no blood work requirements in the State of Rhode Island. The license is valid for 90 days.
The bride and groom must show proof of ID. This office accepts a valid driver’s license or current passport. We also require a certified copy (not the hospital copy) of the birth certificate. If this is not the first marriage, we also must see a certified copy of divorce papers or death certificate, whichever applies.
When the bride and groom come to the Town Clerk’s office, they will be given a worksheet to fill out. Please click below to obtain worksheet. Please print as this office will type the actual license from the information given on the worksheet. Marriage licenses are done Monday through Friday, from 9 a.m. to 3:30 p.m.
Certified Copy of Marriage License
The Town Clerk’s Office maintains copies of marriage licenses of marriages that occurred in Richmond or marriages of residents of Richmond that occurred in another city or town within Rhode Island. Certified copies will only be issued to the parties on the marriage certificate or persons with a legal right to the record. Certified copies may be requested in person or via mail. The cost is $20 for the first copy and $15 for each additional copy.
The request must include the number of copies wanted, the full name of the bride and groom, town where marriage occurred (if not in Richmond), the date of the marriage, your relationship to the person named on the certificate, your signature, why you need the record, a daytime telephone number, a copy of your driver’s license, a self-addressed stamped envelope, and a check made payable to the Town of Richmond. If further information is needed, please call the Town Clerk’s Office at 401-539-9000 ext. 9
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:
- The person named on the certificate, a member of his/her immediate family, his guardian, or an authorized agent of these individuals
- Attorneys-at-law, title examiners, or members of legally incorporated genealogical societies in the conduct of their official duties
- Persons requiring information for the determination or protection of a personal or property right
- A person who has been granted a court order instructing the registrar to provide disclosure
Birth Certificates
The Town Clerk’s Office maintains copies of births, which occurred in Richmond or for residents of Richmond who were living here at the time of the birth. Certified copies may be requested in person or via mail. The cost is $20 for the first copy and $15 for each additional copy.
The request must include the number of copies wanted, the full name on the birth record, date of birth, town where birth occurred, the father’s full name, the mother’s full maiden name, your relationship to the person named on the certificate, your signature, why you need the record, a daytime telephone number, a copy of your driver’s license, and a self-addressed stamped envelope, and a check made payable to the Town of Richmond. If further information is needed, please call the Town Clerk’s Office at 401-539-9000 ext. 9.
Death Certificates
The Town Clerk’s Office only issues certified copies of death certificates of individuals who died within Richmond or who were residents of Richmond at the time of their death. Certified copies of death certificates will only be issued to the next of kin or to persons with a legal right to the information. Certified copies may be requested in person or via mail. The cost is $20 for the first copy and $15 for each additional copy.
The request must include the number of copies wanted, the full name of the decedent, date of death, town where death occurred if not in Richmond, your relationship to the person named on the certificate, your signature, why you need the record, a daytime telephone number, a copy of your driver’s license, and a self-addressed stamped envelope, and a check made payable to the Town of Richmond. If further information is needed, please call the Town Clerk’s Office at 401-539-9000 ext. 9.
Application for Marriage License
Marriage licenses are obtained in the town where the bride is a resident. If the bride is from out of state, the license is obtained where the groom is a resident. If both parties are from out of state, the license is obtained in the town where they are going to be married. The cost of a marriage license is $24. There are no blood work requirements in the State of Rhode Island. The license is valid for 90 days.
The bride and groom must show proof of ID. This office accepts a valid driver’s license or current passport. We also require a certified copy (not the hospital copy) of the birth certificate. If this is not the first marriage, we also must see a certified copy of divorce papers or death certificate, whichever applies.
When the bride and groom come to the Town Clerk’s office, they will be given a worksheet to fill out. Please click below to obtain worksheet. Please print as this office will type the actual license from the information given on the worksheet. Marriage licenses are done Monday through Friday, from 9 a.m. to 3:30 p.m.
Certified Copy of Marriage License
The Town Clerk’s Office maintains copies of marriage licenses of marriages that occurred in Richmond or marriages of residents of Richmond that occurred in another city or town within Rhode Island. Certified copies will only be issued to the parties on the marriage certificate or persons with a legal right to the record. Certified copies may be requested in person or via mail. The cost is $20 for the first copy and $15 for each additional copy.
The request must include the number of copies wanted, the full name of the bride and groom, town where marriage occurred (if not in Richmond), the date of the marriage, your relationship to the person named on the certificate, your signature, why you need the record, a daytime telephone number, a copy of your driver’s license, a self-addressed stamped envelope, and a check made payable to the Town of Richmond. If further information is needed, please call the Town Clerk’s Office at 401-539-9000 ext. 9