Death Certificates
Birth, Death & Marriage Record Information from the Rhode Island Department of Health
Death records from approximately 1871 to present day are indexed and stored in the Town Clerk’s Office. Pursuant to RI General Law, the only Vital Statistics available to the general public are death records over 50 years old, and birth and marriage records over 100 years old.
WHERE IS THE DEATH CERTIFICATE FILED?
The death certificate is filed in Smithfield if:
- The death occurred in the Town of Smithfield
- The decedent resided in Smithfield and the death occurred in the state.
HOW TO OBTAIN A COPY OF A DEATH CERTIFICATE
- Physically enter the Town Clerk’s Office
- Present a picture identification of yourself, OR
- Request a certificate by mail, enclose copy of your photo identification.
- Fill out the request form
- Enclose check or money order made payable to “Town of Smithfield” along with the written request
- Mail request to: Town Clerk’s Office, 64 Farnum Pike, Smithfield, RI 02917
- State your full name
- State the date of death and your relationship to the deceased
APPLICATION TO REQUEST RECORD
Available here in .pdf format Death Record Request form
DEATH CERTIFICATE COST
Walk-In Copies cost $22.00. Mail-In Copies cost $25.00.
Any additional copies of this record purchased this same day cost $18.00 each.
STATE OF RHODE ISLAND REGULATION ON:
Confidentiality
Vital records are confidential. Only individuals who have what is called a “direct and tangible interest” in the records can access them. This includes:
- The person named on the certificate, a member of his/her immediate family, his/her guardian, or an authorized agent of these individuals
- *Attorneys-at-law, title examiners, or members of legally incorporated genealogical societies conducting their official duties
- A person requiring information to determine or protect a personal or property right
- A person who has been granted a court order instructing the registrar to provide the document
Firms, agencies, or individuals requesting information for commercial purposes are not considered to have direct and tangible interest.
Smithfield Town Clerk Request:
* Attorneys-at-law, title examiners, or members of legally incorporated genealogical societies conducting their official duties to provide the following documentation prior to receiving Death Record information:
-
Written request should be submitted on official letterhead stating, “Direct and Tangible Interest” and provided to the Vitals Manager for further processing.
*For further information please call Carolyn Bouchard, Vitals Manager, at 233-1000, ext. 113
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