What are Providence Public Records?
The Rhode Island Access to Public Records Act describes public records as materials maintained and stored by any public entity in the conduct of their formal business. Records include written documents, photographs, tape records, and all other records regardless of physical form. The APRA mandates that these records be made public and accessible to interested requesters. However, not all records may be public. Examples of these include:
- Trade Secrets
- Juvenile records
- Tax returns
- Official correspondence
- Records constituting privacy invasion
- Military records which could endanger public security
- Certain confidential police records
- Records sealed by the court
- Labor negotiation and strategy report on public funds
- Preliminary drafts of public body documents
Providence Crime Statistics
The Providence Police Department provides weekly updates on statistics of criminal activities in the city of Providence. Published data for 2020 shows that there were 813 violent crimes, indicating a 9% reduction compared with data from the previous year. Reported violent crimes include 15 homicides, 112 sex offenses, 46 cases of robbery with a firearm, 116 kinds of robbery, 110 cases of aggravated assault with firearm and 414 cases of ordinary aggravated assault. Within the same period, the city witnessed 4052 property crimes, a 19% reduction compared to figures recorded in 2019. These property crimes include 606 cases of burglary, 455 motor vehicle thefts, 1265 cases of larceny from a motor vehicle, and 1723 ordinary larceny incidents. Other crime statistics in the city of Providence include 1594 assaults, 1642 vandalism cases, 269 weapons offenses, 386 drug offenses, and seven liquor violations. In total, Providence recorded 3898 crimes, a 15% reduction in the city’s crime rate.
Are Providence Criminal Records Public?
Under the Rhode Island Access to Public Records Act, criminal records are public records. As such, all information concerning the arrest, trial, conviction, and imprisonment of an individual are accessible by interested members of the public. The Bureau of Criminal Identification (BCI) for Rhode Island maintains a statewide criminal history database. A statewide or national background check may be conducted with the BCI through the Office of the Attorney-General by visiting the:
Attorney General Julius C. Michaelson Customer Service Center
4 Howard Avenue (corner of Pontiac Ave. and Howard Ave.)
Cranston, RI 02920
(401) 274-4400
Requesters are advised to come along with a valid form of identification such as a valid state-issued driver’s license, identification card, or a valid United States passport. Requesters may obtain their background checks via mail by downloading and filling the release form, which is also available in Spanish. The requester is then required to attach a copy of a valid means of identification along with a check or money order made payable to “BCI.” Record seekers must also send applications in a self-addressed stamped envelope to:
Rhode Island Office of the Attorney General
4 Howard Avenue
Cranston, RI 02920
The waiting period for mail requests is seven business days. Note that credit card, check, and money order payments are allowed for in-person requests. However, credit cards are not accepted for mail requests. In addition, cash payments are not accepted for both mail and in-person requests.
Public city records may also be accessible from third-party websites. Record seekers may either opt to use these non-governmental platforms to search for a specific record or multiple city records. However, users will need to provide enough information to assist with the search such as:
- The address of the requestor
- A case number or file number (if known)
- The location of the document or person involved
- The name of the subject involved in the record (not juvenile)
- The last known or current address of the registrant
Third-party sites are not sponsored by government agencies. Because of this, record availability and results may vary.
How to Obtain Police Report and Arrest Records
The Providence Police Department provides interested requesters with access to police reports. Requesters are required to book appointments with the records office at least 48 hours before submitting the request. Record seekers may schedule the appointments between 8:30 a.m., and 2:30 p.m. Requesters may reach the record office on (401) 243-6416 or at ppdrecords@providenceri.gov. Where the reports are not immediately available, requesters are implored to give the PPD 10 days to respond, in line with the Access to Public Records Act. Each report costs a $15 hourly search rate plus 15 cents per page. Note that the first hour is not charged. The records office is located at
Public Safety Complex
325 Washington Street
Providence, RI 02903
How to Find Sex Offender Information in Providence
Sex offender information is made publicly available by the Rhode Island Sex Offender Registry. Requesters may obtain information on sex offenders by making an area search with such search criteria as address, city, state, and zip code. Other search queries include the last name or first name of the offender. Residents may also register to get email updates on the movement of sex offenders in the area.
Note: Providence Sex Offenders are grouped into three levels and, only information on level 2 and level 3 offenders are made public.
How to Find Providence Inmate Records
The Department of Corrections for Rhode Island maintains and provides access to all inmate records. Interested requesters may obtain inmate record by visiting the website and filling out the required information, including inmate ID, last name, first name, race, and sex. Record seekers are also required to provide the minimum and maximum age and the subject’s last known city.
How Do I Visit an inmate in Providence Jail?
The Department of Corrections for Rhode Island operates six facilities in Providence County, which are located as follows:
Anthony P. Travisono Intake Service Center
18 Slate Hill Road
Cranston, RI 02920
High-Security Center
54 Power Road
Cranston, RI 02920
Maximum Security
1375 Pontiac Avenue
Cranston, RI 02920
John J. Moran Medium Security Facility
51 West Road
Cranston, RI 02920
Minimum Security Facility
16 Howard Avenue
Cranston, RI 02920
Gloria McDonald Awaiting Trial and Medium Security Facility
20 Fleming Road
Cranston, RI 02920
Bernadette Building
15 Fleming Road
Cranston, RI 02920
Inmate visitation schedules vary between facilities,- including day, time, location, and length of each visit. Intending visitors must go along with proper means of identification, including a valid driver’s license, a military ID card, ID card issued by the Departments of Transportation, Elderly Affairs, or the Division of Motor Vehicles. Note that social security cards and welfare ID cards are not valid means of identification. Also, a birth certificate is only valid for a minor. Visitors with criminal records are not allowed to visit an inmate except they are immediate family members. A minor may visit an inmate with a written permission from a parent or guardian and must be accompanied by an adult authorized by the parent at all times.
What are Providence Vital Records?
Providence vital records contain records of life events in the city. These events include births, marriages, and deaths of individuals.
Where and How to Obtain Providence Divorce Records
Providence divorce records or decrees are kept with the Providence family court. To obtain a copy of a divorce certificate, interested requesters may visit the Providence/Bristol County Family Court. There is also the option of contacting the Judicial Resource Person in person and making copies with a cash payment of $0.20 or $25.00 for certified copies. Requesters may also send a mail to the:
Rhode Island Supreme Court
Judicial Records Center
5 Hill Street
Pawtucket, RI 02860-3913
The mail is required to contain detailed information, including the court (county) and case number. In addition, a telephone number, a business/certified check or money order for $25.00 made payable to the State of Rhode Island, and a self-addressed stamped envelope are required.
Where and How to Get Marriage Records in Providence
The Department of Vital Records for the city of Providence is in charge of storing and releasing marriage certificates for marriages that took place in Providence. To obtain a copy of a marriage certificate, requesters are required to download and fill out the application form, which may then be delivered physically or mailed to
Department of Vital Records,
25 Dorrance Street,
Providence RI 02903.
For mail delivery, requesters are to attach a copy of a valid government-issued ID picture card. The fee to obtain a marriage certificate is $22 for walk-in requests and $25 for mail-in requests. Payments may be made by check or money order made payable to the “City of Providence” or by credit card. The process of getting a marriage certificate in Providence city is also outlined in Spanish.
Where and How to find Providence Birth records
The Vital Statistics office in Providence city holds records of birth that occurred in the city from 1959 till date. Certified records of Birth certificates are available for births that occurred in the city from 1960 till date. To obtain a copy of a certified Providence birth certificate, the requester would need to download the application form, fill it and submit it physically or by mail to the:
Department of Vital Records,
25 Dorrance Street,
Providence RI 02903.
Requesters making their submissions by mail are required to attach copies of valid government-issued picture ID cards. Obtaining a birth certificate requires a fee of $22 for walk-in requests and $25 for mailed requests. Payments are to be made via credit card, check, or money order made payable to “City of Providence.” This process is also outlined in Spanish.
Where and How to Find Providence Death Records
Providence death certificates are maintained by the Office of Vital Statistics in Providence city. To obtain a copy of a Providence death record, the requester is required to obtain the application form, fill it and return it physically or attach a copy of a Government picture ID and mail it to the:
Department of Vital Records,
25 Dorrance Street,
Providence RI 02903
The required fee is $22 for physical requests and $25 for mailed requests. Credit cards as well as checks or money orders made payable to the “City of Providence” are the accepted modes of payment for obtaining Providence death certificates.
