Get your certified Rhode Island Birth Certificate

How to Get a Rhode Island Birth Certificate Without ID

When applying for a Rhode Island birth certificate without a valid ID, you may utilize two alternative forms of identification: a bank statement, income tax return, utility bill, or vehicle registration. Both documents must show your name and current address. Refer to the table above.

Alternatively, if you do not possess any secondary documents to verify your identity, an authorized third party can submit the request on your behalf, with proof of their identity and relationship to you.

How Long Does It Take to Process and Receive a Birth Certificate in Rhode Island?

Standard processing takes 2 to 4 weeks. The total time to receive a replacement birth certificate in Rhode Island is contingent upon the submission method and the current processing time stipulated by the RIDOH-OVR. Rush processing time is 5 to 7 business days. To avoid delays, we recommend using VRO’s easy online service, which helps prevent incomplete submissions and errors.

Do I Need to Notarize My Application?

You do not need to notarize your Rhode Island birth certificate application. However, you must provide photocopies of acceptable identification when submitting your application.

Other FAQs

• How to Obtain a Rhode Island Birth Certificate if Born on an Overseas Military Base

  

  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.

• Why Do I Need Certified Copies of My Rhode Island Birth Certificate?

  

  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

• What Does a Rhode Island Birth Certificate Look Like?

  

  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.

• How to Replace a Lost or Stolen Rhode Island Birth Certificate

  

  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.

• How to Correct or Amend a Rhode Island Birth Certificate

  

  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.

• How to Obtain an Apostille for a Rhode Island Birth Certificate

  

  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: