Crime Numbers
Rhode Island has no county governments and keeps crime statistics for cities and towns rather than counties. The largest municipality in Providence County is the City of Providence. Its crime data is representative of the overall crime trend in the county. The statewide Uniform Crime Reporting (UCR) Program run by the Department of Safety of the Rhode Island State Police provides crime data for the county.
The most recent year with a complete set of statistics is 2017. In that year, Providence recorded 13 homicides, 95 rapes, 261 robberies, and 601 aggravated assaults. Incidences of property crimes include 1,031 burglaries, 4,378 larcenies, 589 motor vehicle thefts, and 16 arsons. Compared to crime figures for 2013, Providence recorded fewer cases ofall of these crimes except rape. Rape rate grew by 9.2% while homicide, robbery, and aggravated assault rates dropped by 7.1%, 30.8%, and 9.2% respectively. The five-year crime trend in Providence also indicates that lower rates of burglary (43.8%), larceny (16%), motor vehicle theft (39.1%), and arson (27.3%).
Criminal Records
The Bureau of Criminal Identification and Investigation (BCI) provides criminal background checks through the Office of the Attorney General for all counties in Rhode Island. Both state and national background checks are available. Request for a criminal background check in person by visiting:
Attorney General Julius C. Michaelson Customer Service Center
4 Howard Avenue (at the corner of Pontiac Avenue and Howard Avenue)
Cranston, RI 02920
Phone: (401) 274-4400
Bring along a valid form of identification and payment. Valid IDs include state-issued driver's license, identification card, and US passport. Fee is payable in credit card, money order, and check made out to BCI.
To request for a state criminal background check by mail, download and complete a release form (also available in Spanish). Sign it and have it notarized. Include a copy of a valid photo ID, a self-addressed stamped envelope, and a check or money order covering the fee. Send this mail request to:
Rhode Island Office of the Attorney General
4 Howard Avenue
Cranston, RI 02920
The fee for a state criminal background check is $5. A national background check costs $35. National background checks are also available at the office of the Rhode Island Attorney General. Before coming to the office to request for one of these records, make sure to download and complete a Fingerprint Form (Spanish). Bring it along with payment and a valid ID to the Attorney General's office.
The police departments in the cities, towns, and other municipalities of Providence County provide police reports for incidents that occurred within their jurisdictions. For crimes in the City of Providence, contact the city's police department by visiting the Public Safety Complex located at 325 Washington Street, Providence.
The Rhode Island State Police provides accident reports for all auto crashes in the state. To obtain an accident report, send a written request including driver's name, date of accident, and accident report number. Include a self-addressed stamped envelope and a check or money order for $15 payable to The State of Rhode Island. Send this mail request to:
Rhode Island State Police: Accident Bureau
311 Danielson Pike
North Scituate, RI 02857
The Department of Corrections of the State of Rhode Island operates the correctional facilities in Providence County. There are six of them (four for males and two for females) in Cranston. Here are the addresses of these facilities:
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
The Department of Corrections provides a handy inmate locator tool on the website of the Rhode Island Government. Use it to find individuals currently incarcerated in any of these facilities. To deposit money into an inmate's account, come to the Inmate Accounts Unit at the John O. Pastore Government Center located at 51 West Road, Cranston. It accepts funds from Monday to Friday between 9:00 a.m. and 11:00 a.m. as well as 1:00 p.m. and 3:00 p.m.
Friends and family members can also deposit funds by sending checks, money orders, and bank drafts by mail to:
RI Department of Corrections
Inmate Accounts Office
51 West Road, Bldg 138
Cranston, RI 02920
Make your check or money order payable to RI Department of Corrections and add inmate's name and ID number to the memo line. The Department of Corrections will send back a deposit slip if a self-addressed stamped envelope is included in the mail.
A complete list of registered sex offenders living in the various municipalities of Providence County is available from the website of the state's Parole Board and Sex Offender Community Notification Unit. Simply choose a town or city in the county or provide a zip code to see identifying information about registered offenders living in the area.
Court Records
Providence County has one Superior Court, one District Court, one Family Court, 15 Probate Courts, 12 Municipal Courts, and one Traffic County. Each court generates and provides public access to Providence County Court Records following each of its hearings. Below are the addresses and contact information of all the courts in Providence County:
Providence/Bristol County Superior Court
Licht Judicial Complex
250 Benefit Street,
Providence, RI 02903
Phone: (401) 222-3250
Fax: (401) 222-2701
Sixth Division District Court
Garrahy Judicial Complex
1 Dorrance Plaza,
Providence, RI 02903
Phone: (401) 458-5400
Fax: (401) 458-3190
Providence/Bristol County Family Court
Garrahy Judicial Complex
1 Dorrance Plaza,
Providence, RI 02903
Phone: (401) 458-5262
Burrillville Probate Court
105 Harrisville Main Street,
Harrisville, RI 02830
Phone: (401) 568-4300
Burrillville Probate Court is in session the last Wednesday of each month at 1:00 p.m.
Central Falls Probate Court
580 Broad Street,
Central Falls, RI 02863
Phone: (401) 727-7400
Fax: (401) 727-7406
The Central Falls Probate Court is in session on the 4th Monday of each month starting at 2:00 p.m.
Cranston Probate Court
869 Park Avenue,
Cranston, RI 02910
Phone: (401) 780-3197
Fax: (401) 780-3165
Cumberland Probate Court
45 Broad Street,
Cumberland, RI 02864
Phone: (401) 728-2400 ext. 154
East Providence Probate Court
145 Taunton Avenue,
East Providence, RI 02914
Phone: (401) 435-7500 Ext. 11036
Foster Probate Court
181 Howard Hill Road,
Foster, RI 02825
Phone: (401) 392-9202
Fax: (401) 702-5010
Glocester Probate Court
Glocester Town Hall
1145 Putnam Pike,
Chepachet, RI 02814
Phone: (401) 568-6206 ext. 0
Fax: (401) 568-5850
Glocester Probate Court is in session on the 2nd Tuesday of each month at 2:00 p.m.
Johnston Probate Court
1385 Hartford Avenue,
Johnston, RI 02919
Phone: (401) 351-6618
Fax: (401) 553-8835
Lincoln Probate Court
100 Old River Road,
P.O. Box 100,
Lincoln, RI 02865
Phone: (401) 333-1100 ext. 8005
North Providence Probate Court
North Providence Town Hall
2000 Smith Street,
North Providence, RI 02911
Phone: (401) 232-0900 ext. 205
North Providence Probate Court is in session the 1st and 3rd Monday of each month at 2:00 p.m.
Pawtucket Probate Court
137 Roosevelt Avenue,
Pawtucket, RI 02860
Phone: (401) 728-0500 ext. 259
Fax: (401) 728-8932
Pawtucket Probate Court is in session the first 3 Wednesdays of each month at 2:00 p.m.
Providence Probate Court
25 Dorrance Street, 5th Floor,
Providence, RI 02903
Phone: (401) 421-7740 ext. 307
Fax: (401) 861-6208
Scituate Probate Court
195 Danielson Pike,
P.O. Box 328,
North Scituate, RI 02857
Phone: (401) 647-2822
Fax: (401) 647-7220
Smithfield Probate Court
64 Farnum Pike,
Smithfield, RI 02917
Phone: (401) 233-1000
Fax: (401) 233-7244
Smithfield Probate Court is in session the 1st Thursday of each month at 9:00 a.m.
Woonsocket Probate Court
169 Main Street,
Woonsocket, RI 02895
Phone: (401) 767-9249
Fax: (401) 765-0022
Burrillville Municipal Court
1477 Victory Highway,
P.O. Box 419,
Burrillville, RI 02830
Phone: (401) 568-9494 ext. 1
Burrillville Municipal Court is in session the 1st and 3rd Tuesday of each month.
Central Falls Municipal Court
580 Broad Street,
Central Falls, RI 02863
Phone: (401) 616-2557
Municipal Court sessions are held on alternate Tuesday evenings at 6:00 p.m. at City Hall. Cases are heard by appointment only and are scheduled by the Court Clerk.
Cranston Municipal Court
5 Garfield Avenue,
Cranston, RI 02920
Phone: (401) 477-5010
Fax: (401) 477-5028
Cumberland Municipal Court
45 Broad Street,
Cumberland, RI 02864
Phone: (401) 728-2400 ext. 154
Cumberland Municipal Court is in session every 1st and 3rd Tuesday of each month at 6:00 p.m.
East Providence Municipal Court
145 Taunton Avenue,
East Providence, RI 02914
Phone: (401) 435-7540 Ext. 11040
Fax: (401) 435-4630
East Providence Municipal Court is in session on Thursday evenings at 5:00 p.m.
Johnston Municipal Court
1600 Atwood Avenue,
Johnston, RI 02919
Phone: (401) 946-7150
Fax: (401) 946-7153
Lincoln Municipal Court
100 Old River Road,
Lincoln, RI 02865
Phone: (401) 333-8453
Fax: (401) 333-3648
The Lincoln Municipal Court holds sessions on the 1st and 3rd Wednesday of each month at 6:00 p.m.
North Providence Municipal Court
North Providence Town Hall
2000 Smith Street,
North Providence, RI 02911
Phone: (401) 231-4533 ext. 139
North Providence Municipal Court is in session on Monday nights at 6:00 p.m.
North Smithfield Municipal Court
575 Smithfield Road,
North Smithfield, RI 02896
Phone: (401) 356-0564
Court is held at 13 Main Street in Slatersville. Arraignments are held the 1st Monday of each month at 6:00 p.m.; trials are heard the 3rd Wednesday of each month at 6:00 p.m.
Pawtucket Municipal Court
Pawtucket Police Department
121 Roosevelt Avenue,
Pawtucket, RI 02860
Phone: (401) 727-9100
Providence Municipal Court
325 Washington Street,
Providence, RI 02903
Phone: (401) 243-6414
Fax: (401) 243-6431
Woonsocket Municipal Court
169 Main Street,
Woonsocket, RI 02895
Phone: (401) 762-6400
Rhode Island Traffic Tribunal
670 New London Avenue,
Cranston, RI 02920
Phone: (401) 275-2700
Records for all of these courts are maintained and available on the Rhode Island Judiciary Public Portal. Members of the public can access them at the computer terminals in the clerks' offices at the courthouses. Remote access is also available for viewing dockets on the Rhode Island Judiciary Public Portal. To obtain copies of a court record, visit the courthouse where the case was heard and ask at the Court Clerk's Office.
Vital Records
The Family Court hears divorce cases in Providence County. To obtain copies of your divorce certificate, visit this court atGarrahy Judicial Complex located at 1 Dorrance Plaza in the City of Providence. You may also call (401) 458-5262 to ask about obtaining copies of your divorce records.
The Center for Vital Records of the Rhode Island Department of Health can provide copies of birth, death, and marriage certificates. These vital records are also available from the offices of town and city clerks in various municipalities of Providence County. To obtain the records in person, visit the Center for Vital Records or a clerk's office.
The Vital Records office is in Room 101 of 3 Capitol Hill in the City of Providence. It is open to the public on weekdays between 7:30 a.m. and 3:30 p.m. The fee for the first copy of any of these vital records is $22. Each additional copy of the same record purchased on the same day costs $18. There is a $2 per year research fee for searches that extend beyond two consecutive years. A rush order costs an extra $7. Cash, check, and money order are accepted for payment. Make checks and money orders payable to General Treasurer, State of Rhode Island.
It is also possible to request for these vital records by mail. Download and complete a Birth, Death, or Marriage/Civil Union Copy Request Form. Send this to:
RI Department of Health
Office of Vital Records
3 Capitol Hill, Room 101
Providence, RI 02908
Include a copy of a valid ID as well as a check or money order for payment. The Office of Vital Records charges $25 for the first copy of birth, death, and marriage/civil union certificates requested by mail. Each additional copy of the same record costs $18.
