Get your certified Rhode Island Birth Certificate

If you were born overseas on a U.S. military base, the birth would have been recorded with the U.S. Department of State. You must request a Consular Report of Birth Abroad (CRBA or form FS-240) from the U.S. Department of State, as there will not be a birth record with the state of Rhode Island. The CRBA serves as evidence of U.S. citizenship and is equivalent to a U.S. birth certificate, which is legally accepted for purposes such as proving birth and citizenship, applying for a passport, and accessing social services.

If you are seeking original copies of your birth record, you can contact the hospital in the country where the birth occurred.

It's important to have certified copies of your Rhode Island birth certificate for life's significant events. A certified birth record demonstrates your legal name, place, date of birth, and parents' names, which help verify your identity and citizenship. Government and commercial entities also mandate certified birth certificates for legal proceedings and family matters.

A certified birth certificate is also necessary for enrolling in school, employment, apostilles, and obtaining a passport.

Birth certificates are often useful or required for:

Applying for a driver's license

Applying for a new passport

Issuing or obtaining a Social Security Card

Applying for Social Security benefits

Claiming pension or insurance benefits

Genealogy research

Claiming family inheritance

Applying for a new job

Enrolling in school

Enlisting in military

Obtaining a marriage license

You may also need to order a Rhode Island death certificate through our secure online service.

The Rhode Island Department of Health (RIDOH) issues official birth certificates with distinct features to validate authenticity. Although the appearance of birth certificates may differ by the year of issue, official copies will display crucial details that verify your identity and citizenship. State guidelines stipulate standard features such as the state seal, individual's name, registrar's signature, and secure paper to prevent illegal duplication.

Note that official (long-form) birth certificates are government-issued documents accepted for legal purposes. They differ from informational (short-form) copies, which are generally used for personal or commemorative purposes.

• Full Name of the Person: The full legal name of the person whose birth is being recorded.

• Date of Birth: The exact date of birth of the individual.

• Place of Birth: The city, county, and state where the birth took place.

• Parents’ Names: The full names of both parents, including the mother’s maiden name.

• State Seal: A raised, embossed, or printed multicolor or black and white seal of the issuing authority, which validates the document.

• Signature of State Registrar: The signature of the state registrar or authorized official responsible for issuing the certificate.

• Date of Issuance: The date when the state officially issued the birth certificate.

• Printed on Security Paper: Printed on specialized paper to prevent counterfeiting.

In some instances, a certified birth certificate may also include:

• Name of the Hospital where the birth was recorded.

• Name of the Physician who attended the labor.

If you lose your birth certificate:

1. Apply for a certified replacement copy in person, by mail, or online through VRO. You must complete the application, gather the required identification and documents, and pay the fees determined by the Rhode Island Department of Health (RIDOH).
   a. For in-person applications: Present the completed application and required documents to RIDOH's Center for Vital Records or any city or town clerk's office.
   b. For applying by mail: Send your application, documents, and a check or money order for the replacement fee to the RIDOH at:
   Rhode Island Department of Health - Office of Vital Records
   6 Harrington Rd. Cranston, RI 02920
   c. For online submissions: Complete the application and upload your documents through the VRO website (payable by credit card online).
2. The RIDOH will mail the certified copy(s) after processing.

The process for correcting or amending a Rhode Island birth certificate varies depending on the specific changes required. An addendum (supplement) is issued to correct or amend a birth certificate to ensure the original record remains intact.

Amendment or Corrections to a Rhode Island Birth Certificate Types:

1. Court-Ordered or Court-Approved Legal Name Change:

To change the legal name on a Rhode Island birth certificate, you need to provide certain documents and pay specific fees. Required documents include:

• Certified court order for the legal name change.
• An amended birth certificate.
• Government-issued photo ID.

For Rhode Island Residents:

• A Probate Court order from the probate court in the city or town of residence.
• A Family Court order is acceptable for children younger than 18 (Contact Family Court at 401-458-3100 for information).

For Out-of-State Residents: Contact your family court for assistance.

Fees: $10.00 to change the birth record. For a copy of the changed record the fee is $22.00 for in-person requests and $25.00 by mail.

2. Change the Sex Field on a Rhode Island Birth Certificate

To change the sex field on a birth certificate, a personal visit to the Office of Vital Records is required. The individual must self-attest in person so that staff can create an affidavit.

3. Correcting Clerical Errors for a Child Younger Than 1

If there are clerical errors in a birth record for a child younger than one, corrections can be made without a fee. The Office of Vital Records will request the Birth Worksheet completed at the time of birth from the birthing facility.

Examples of Clerical Errors: misspelling of a parent’s name, incorrect date or place of birth, misspelled address.

Fees: There is no fee to change the birth record. For a copy of the changed record the fee is $22.00 for in-person requests and $25.00 by mail.

4. Minor Corrections for a Child Older Than 1

For children older than one, minor corrections can be made, such as name misspellings.

Required Documents:

• At least one document proving the child’s full name, date of birth, and parents’ names, created before the child turns 7. Examples include: baptismal certificate, school entrance record, pediatrician’s record.
• Government-issued photo ID of the parent.

Fees: $10.00 to change the birth record. For a copy of the changed record the fee is $22.00 for in-person requests and $25.00 by mail.

Before requesting an amendment to a birth certificate, follow the instructions on the Rhode Island Requirements for Changing Vital Records document.

To obtain an apostille for a Rhode Island birth certificate, you can request one directly through the Rhode Island Secretary of State or online through VRO's Express Apostille Service. The Rhode Island Department of State is the issuing authority for apostilles, which are typically required for birth certificate submissions to foreign governments as part of the 1961 Hague Convention.

To manually obtain an apostille for a Rhode Island birth certificate, complete the following steps:

1. Obtain a Certified Copy of the Birth Certificate: First, ensure you have a certified copy of the birth certificate from the Rhode Island Department of Health - Office of Vital Records (RIDOH).
2. Complete the Apostille Request Form: Complete the apostille request form available on the Rhode Island Department of State’s website.
3. Gather Required Documents: Collect all necessary documents, which typically include the certified birth certificate and the completed apostille request form.
4. Prepare Payment: Prepare the appropriate fee for the apostille service. The cost is $5.00 per document and can be paid by check or money order payable to the RI Department of State.
5. Submit the Request: Submit your completed request form, certified birth certificate, and payment to the Rhode Island Department of State’s office at the following address:

A long-form birth certificate (also called the "full" or "certified" copy) is a complete reproduction of the original Rhode Island birth record. It includes your full legal name, date and place of birth, parents' names, birthplaces, and occupations, the attending physician or midwife, and the file date and registration number. This is the version you'll need for passports, REAL ID, Social Security, adoption, immigration, dual citizenship, and most legal purposes.

A short-form birth certificate (sometimes called a "certification" or "abstract") is a condensed version that shows only your name, date of birth, place of birth, and sex. It does not include parents' information. The short form is accepted for many everyday purposes, like enrolling in school, applying for a driver's license, or joining sports leagues, but it is not always accepted for federal documents or international travel.

When you order a Rhode Island birth certificate through VitalRecordsOnline, you receive the long-form version by default, since it is the most widely accepted. If you're unsure which version you need, check with the agency requesting the document.

Not sure which you need? Order your Rhode Island birth certificate and get the right version.

Processing times for a Rhode Island birth certificate depend on how you order and which delivery speed you choose. Standard government processing through the Rhode Island vital records office generally takes 4 to 12 weeks by mail. In-person requests at the state office or authorized county location are often completed the same day or within a few business days.

When you order online through VitalRecordsOnline, we review your application within 24 hours to catch errors before submission, then forward it to the issuing authority. Most customers receive their certified Rhode Island birth certificate in 2 to 3 weeks with standard shipping. Expedited processing and rush shipping options are available at checkout for urgent needs like passport applications or upcoming travel.

If the issuing office returns your request because of missing information, our team contacts you immediately so the correction can be made without starting over. You can track your order status at any time through your account.

Don't wait — start your Rhode Island birth certificate order today for faster processing.

Providence residents can order a Rhode Island birth certificate online through VitalRecordsOnline, by visiting the Rhode Island Department of Health in Providence, or by submitting a mail request.

In-person requests at the state vital records office are typically processed the same day during business hours. Online orders through VRO are reviewed within 24 hours and most customers receive their certified copy in 2 to 3 weeks.

You may also need to order a Rhode Island death certificate through our secure online service.

Same-day Rhode Island birth certificates are available for in-person requests at the Rhode Island Department of Health in Providence. Walk-in visitors can typically receive their certified copy within a few hours during regular business hours.

For those who cannot visit in person, ordering online through VitalRecordsOnline is the next fastest option. We review your application within 24 hours and most orders arrive within 2 to 3 weeks, with expedited shipping available at checkout.

Looking for a different document? Order a Rhode Island marriage certificate through our secure online service.

Warwick residents can obtain a Rhode Island birth certificate by ordering online through VitalRecordsOnline, or by submitting a request to the Rhode Island Department of Health.

Online ordering through VRO is the most convenient option, letting you complete the process from home with delivery by mail. Expedited processing is available for urgent needs.

Need another vital record? Get your Rhode Island divorce certificate through our secure online service.