Rhode Island Public Records Law

The Rhode Island Access to Public Records Act (APRA) allows citizens to view, inspect, and copy public records in the state. The law also defines which records are subject to public inspection, the guidelines for accessing them, and which records are exempt from public disclosure.

Birth Records
Court Records
Criminal Records
Death Records
Divorce Records
Inmate Records
Marriage Records
Traffic Violation Records

Where Do I Submit a Public Record Request in Rhode Island?

Each government agency in Rhode Island appoints a public records officer to handle public records requests. As such, you may submit a public record request to the public record officer of the relevant agency. Contact information of each agency's public record officer is available on the agency's official website.

How Do I Request Public Records in Rhode Island?

Each government agency has procedures for granting access to public records, so the process for accessing public records may vary slightly from one agency to another. These procedures are generally spelled out on the agency's official websites, and they include the contact information of the public records officer. As a general rule, most public records can be submitted in writing. However, you may not need to submit your request in writing if the records requested are available via an online database.

You may request public records in Rhode Island by taking the following steps:

  • Determine the agency that maintains the public record you need
  • Check the agency's website for instructions on submitting a public record request.
  • Follow the instructions and submit your request. Where possible, include specific information, such as dates, to assist the agency in locating the record you need
  • Pay applicable fees for copying records.

What Records are Public in Rhode Island?

Rhode Island public records generally include but are not limited to:

  • Vital Records: these include birth, death, marriage, and divorce records under the custody of the Rhode Island Department of Health
  • Property Records include deeds, property tax, and information on property ownership and assessment.
  • Court Records include all civil and criminal case files generated within the state's court system.
  • Business Records: these include filings and registration details of businesses in the state. They are accessible through the Rhode Island Secretary of State.
  • Election Records: these include results of elections conducted in the state.

Who Can Request Public Records in Rhode Island?

Any person can request public records in the state, and no statement of purpose is required before a request is granted. The term "any person" in the APRA includes individuals, corporations, and associations.

What Is the Response Time for Public Records Requests in Rhode Island?

As a general rule, government agencies are expected to grant access to public records within ten days of receiving the request. However, if the record requested is voluminous, an agency may take up to 30 days to grant access to public records.

A public record request response time may also be less than ten days if the record requested is information about an adult's arrest that occurred within the past five days, as contained in a police log. This record can be accessed within 48 hours of submitting a request. If the request was submitted during the weekend, the response time may extend to 72 hours.

Failure to grant access to public records within ten days of submitting the request without an explanation is considered a denial. In this situation, you can appeal the denial. The agency is mandated by law to document the specific reasons for the denial and explain how to appeal the decision.

What Is the Fee Charged for Providing Copies of Public Records?

In Rhode Island, agencies can charge 15 cents per page for copying public records. Agencies may also charge up to $15 per hour for records retrieval, but the first hour of the search within thirty days is free. In addition to fees for retrieving and copying public records, you may be charged for delivering the documents depending on your preferred delivery option.

What Records Are Exempted Under the Rhode Island Public Law?

Certain information in a public record is deemed exempt from public disclosure under the state's Public Records Act. These records typically include:

  • Records of ongoing investigation
  • Medical records
  • All records relating to a client/attorney relationship
  • Personal records deemed confidential by federal law
  • Child custody and adoption records
  • Trade secrets
  • Minutes of a government agency meeting that are not required to be disclosed per Chapter 46 of Title 42 of the state's general law.