Introduction to Rhode Island Public Records

Rhode Island may be the smallest state in the nation by land area, but it maintains a robust and well-organized system of public records that residents, employers, journalists, and researchers can access. Governed by the Rhode Island Access to Public Records Act (APRA), codified at R.I. Gen. Laws § 38-2, the Ocean State has established a legal framework that presumes government records are open to the public unless a specific exemption applies.

Whether you are conducting a background check on a potential business partner, researching your family history, verifying a contractor’s license, or investigating a neighbor’s property ownership, Rhode Island’s public records system provides multiple pathways to find the information you need. From Providence to Pawtucket, from Warwick to Cranston, every city and town in the state is subject to the APRA’s transparency requirements.

This 2026 guide provides a comprehensive, up-to-date breakdown of every major category of public records in Rhode Island, including criminal records, court records, vital records, property records, and arrest records. We explain exactly which state agencies maintain each type of record, how to submit formal records requests, what fees to expect, and how to use online tools to speed up your search.

What Is a Public Record in Rhode Island?

Under the Rhode Island Access to Public Records Act (APRA), a “public record” is broadly defined as any document, paper, letter, map, book, tape, photograph, film, sound recording, magnetic or other tape, electronic data processing record, or any other documentary material — regardless of form or characteristics — made or received by any agency in connection with the transaction of official business. This definition is intentionally broad to ensure maximum government accountability.

What Records Are Open to the Public?

The following types of records are generally considered public in Rhode Island:

• Criminal history records (with some restrictions)
• Court filings, judgments, and case records
• Arrest logs and police blotter information
• Property deeds, mortgage records, and tax assessments
• Birth, death, and marriage records (with access restrictions based on date)
• Voter registration records
• Business entity filings with the Secretary of State
• Professional license records
• Government contracts and financial disclosures
• Meeting minutes and agendas of public bodies

What Records Are Exempt?

The APRA contains specific exemptions designed to protect individual privacy and governmental interests. Exempt records include:

• Medical and psychiatric records
• Personnel files where disclosure would constitute an unwarranted invasion of privacy
• Trade secrets and proprietary business information
• Juvenile records and certain family court proceedings
• Sealed court records
• Law enforcement investigatory records that could interfere with pending investigations
• Social Security numbers and financial account numbers

How to Submit an APRA Request

Any person — including non-residents — may request public records from a Rhode Island government agency. Requests can typically be submitted in writing by mail, in person, or by email. Agencies must respond within 10 business days of receiving a request. Fees may be charged at a rate of $0.15 per page for copies, though agencies may not charge for inspection alone. The Rhode Island Attorney General’s Office oversees APRA compliance and handles complaints at www.riag.ri.gov.

Rhode Island Criminal Records

Criminal records in Rhode Island document an individual’s history of arrests, charges, convictions, sentences, and incarcerations within the state. These records are maintained at the state level by the Rhode Island State Police Bureau of Criminal Identification (BCI) and are also housed within the Rhode Island Department of Attorney General and the Rhode Island Judiciary.

Rhode Island State Police – Bureau of Criminal Identification

The primary repository for criminal history records in Rhode Island is the Rhode Island State Police (RISP). The Bureau of Criminal Identification (BCI) maintains the state’s criminal history repository, which includes records of arrests, prosecutions, and dispositions from courts throughout the state.

You can contact the BCI at:

• Agency: Rhode Island State Police – Bureau of Criminal Identification
• Address: 311 Danielson Pike, North Scituate, RI 02857
• Phone: (401) 444-1200
• Website: https://risp.ri.gov

Types of Criminal Record Checks

There are two primary types of criminal background checks available in Rhode Island:

1. Name-Based Search: Conducted using an individual’s name and date of birth. These searches are available to the general public and employers and return Rhode Island state-level records only.
2. Fingerprint-Based Search: Required for employment in certain licensed professions, healthcare, education, and childcare. Fingerprint-based checks access both the Rhode Island state database and the FBI’s national database.

Fees and Processing

As of 2026, the fee for a criminal history background check in Rhode Island is $5.00 for a name-based search conducted in person or by mail. Fingerprint-based searches carry higher fees and typically require submission through an approved fingerprinting vendor. Processing times vary from same-day for in-person requests to several weeks for fingerprint-based FBI checks.

Expungement in Rhode Island

Rhode Island law allows for expungement of certain criminal records. First-time offenders who have served their sentence and met a waiting period may petition the court to seal their records. Under Rhode Island General Laws § 12-1.3, felony convictions may be expunged after 10 years, and misdemeanors after 5 years, provided no subsequent convictions have occurred. The passage of the Rhode Island Clean Slate Act in recent years has also expanded automatic expungement opportunities for eligible individuals.

Sex Offender Registry

Rhode Island maintains a public Sex Offender Registry administered by the Rhode Island Department of Attorney General. The registry lists individuals convicted of qualifying sexual offenses and is searchable by name, city/town, or zip code at www.paroleboard.ri.gov. The Rhode Island Parole Board manages the registration and community notification process.

Rhode Island Court Records

The Rhode Island court system consists of several distinct court levels, each maintaining its own records. Understanding which court handled a particular case is essential to locating the correct records. All Rhode Island courts are administered by the Rhode Island Judiciary at www.courts.ri.gov.

Rhode Island Court Structure

• Rhode Island Supreme Court: The highest court in the state, handling appeals from all lower courts and exercising supervisory authority over the entire state judiciary.
• Rhode Island Superior Court: The court of general jurisdiction handling felony criminal cases, civil cases over $10,000, and jury trials. Located in Providence, Kent, Newport, and Washington Counties.
• Rhode Island District Court: Handles misdemeanor criminal cases, civil cases up to $10,000, small claims, and traffic violations.
• Rhode Island Family Court: Handles divorce, child custody, adoption, juvenile delinquency, and domestic violence matters.
• Rhode Island Traffic Tribunal: Handles traffic and motor vehicle violations.
• Rhode Island Workers’ Compensation Court: Handles disputes arising under Rhode Island’s workers’ compensation law.
• Rhode Island Probate Courts: Each city and town has its own probate court handling estates, guardianships, and conservatorships.

Accessing Court Records

Many Rhode Island court records are available to the public in person at courthouse clerks’ offices. The Rhode Island Judiciary also provides online access to some case information through its eCourts Portal at https://ecourts.ri.gov. The portal allows users to search civil and criminal case information for Superior Court and District Court matters by case number, party name, or attorney.

Records that are typically available through the courts include:

• Civil complaints and answers
• Criminal dockets and disposition records
• Judgments, orders, and decrees
• Probate inventories and estate filings
• Divorce decrees (though specific financial details may be restricted)
• Restraining orders (when not sealed)

Fees for Court Records

Fees for court records vary by document type and court. Certified copies typically cost between $1.00 and $5.00 per page. Uncertified copies are generally less expensive. Contact the specific courthouse clerk’s office for current fee schedules.

Rhode Island Arrest Records

Arrest records in Rhode Island document instances where an individual has been taken into custody by law enforcement. Unlike convictions, an arrest record does not indicate guilt. However, arrest records are generally considered public records in Rhode Island and may appear in background checks unless they have been expunged or sealed by a court.

Who Maintains Arrest Records?

Arrest records are maintained by the arresting law enforcement agency — which could be a local police department, the Rhode Island State Police, or a federal agency. The Rhode Island State Police BCI consolidates state-level arrest data into the criminal history repository. Local police departments, such as the Providence Police Department, the Warwick Police Department, and the Cranston Police Department, each maintain their own blotter and arrest logs.

Police Blotter and Incident Reports

Under the APRA, daily police blotter information — including names of individuals arrested, charges filed, and the time and location of arrest — is public record. Incident reports may also be obtained from local police departments, though portions may be redacted if they relate to ongoing investigations or contain information about minors.

How to Request Arrest Records

To obtain arrest records in Rhode Island:

1. Contact the arresting agency directly with a written APRA request.
2. Submit a background check request to the Rhode Island State Police BCI for a comprehensive statewide search.
3. Search the Rhode Island Judiciary’s eCourts Portal for associated criminal case filings.

Arrest Records and Background Checks

It is important to note that Rhode Island employers and landlords who conduct background checks must comply with