CRANSTON PUBLIC RECORDS

What are Cranston City Public Records?

Cranston City’s administrators and employees generate, store, and disseminate public records in compliance with the Rhode Island Access to Public Records Act. The Act defines Cranston City public records as any document, paper, map, email, photograph, or digital recording created, received, or stored in the process of an official transaction. Not all government-generated records fall under the Act’s jurisdiction. According to its definitions, the following types of documents are exempt from public viewership:

• Records under doctor/lawyer-client privilege;
• Personnel records whose disclosure would constitute a breach of privacy;
• Trade secrets and privately owned commercial or financial information;
• Child custody and adoption records;
• Juvenile court records;
• Records whose disclosure could interfere with ongoing criminal activity investigations or with legal enforcement trials;
• Records whose disclosure could rob an individual of a right to a fair court case or an impartial judgment;
• Any record would demystify law enforcement investigation or prosecution techniques and procedures;
• Military and law enforcement’s scientific and technological secrets;
• Test questions, scoring keys, and other examination data that academic bodies use;
• Tax returns.

Cranston City Crime Statistics

The Cranston City Police Department’s Records Division keeps the Department’s records in compliance with the National Crime Information Center (NCIC) and forwards crime data to the Federal Bureau of Investigation. In a 2018 Uniform Crime Report, the FBI recorded 118 violent crimes and 1,140 property crimes among Cranston City’s 81,059 residents. The city’s crime rate was 145.57 per 100,000 residents - up 6.67% from the previous year.

Among violent crimes, there were 26 rapes, 24 robberies, and 68 cases of aggravated assault. A breakdown of property crimes also revealed 158 burglaries, 887 instances of larceny-theft, 95 auto-thefts, and two arson cases.

Are Cranston City Criminal Records Public?

According to Rhode Island’s Access to Public Records, some - but not all - Cranston City criminal records are publicly available. For instance, the Rhode Island Judiciary allows the public to access conviction records using its online portal or requesting in person or writing.

The Bureau of Criminal Identification and Investigation (BCI) also offers statewide criminal background checks through the Attorney General’s office. However, requesters must obtain the record holder’s consent - through a release form ( Spanish) - before they may requisition the state. Applicants must provide a valid photo ID (like a driver’s license or military ID) and $5 in cash or cheque.

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

Mail-in applicants must have the release form notarized. Together with a replica of a valid ID, a self-addressed stamped envelope, and a cheque or money order, they may send the request to:

Rhode Island Office of the Attorney General
4 Howard Avenue
Cranston, RI 02920

How to Obtain Cranston City Police Reports and Arrest Records

The Cranston City Police Department’s Records Division keeps the Department’s records in compliance with the National Incident-Based Reporting System (NIBRS) and the National Crime Information Center (NCIC). It generates all Cranston City police reports and makes arrest records available to the public. Individuals interested in obtaining Cranston City arrest records may read through the Division’s Arrest Log, which gives a summary of each arrest, including:

• The arrestee’s name;
• Time and place of arrest;
• Reasons for arrest;
• Arrestee’s disposition.

Interested persons may also obtain Cranston City police reports by completing a Records Request Form and submitting it to the Police Department in person or by mail. The Department is available to the public during regular business hours (Monday through Friday, 9 a.m. - 4 p.m.).

Cranston City Police Department
5 Garfield Avenue,
Cranston, RI 02920
Phone: (401) 942-2211

How to Find Sex Offender Information in Cranston City?

Per Rhode Island’s Sexual Offender Registration and Community Notification Act, Cranston City residents with sex offender convictions must register their current details with the Cranston City Police Department. The Department makes this information publicly available on its Sex Offender Page. Interested persons may browse through the list to find information on Level 2 and 3 offenders, including:

• Age
• DOB
• Sex
• Race
• Eye Color
• Hair Color
• Height
• Weight
• Current Location
• Conviction list.

How to Find Cranston City Inmate Records?

Convicted Cranston City residents serve out their time in the Department of Corrections’ Providence County correctional facilities in Cranston.

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 keeps a log of all inmates and allows interested persons to find inmate information using its inmate locator tool.

How Do I Visit an Inmate in Cranston City Jail?

Convicted Cranston City residents serve out their time in the Department of Corrections’ Providence County correctional facilities in Cranston. The Department of Corrections allows inmate’s friends and family to visit in person or via video. Inmates must register friends and family on their visitation list and have it approved before they may visit. Video visits cost $5 for a twenty-minute call.

All visitors must present a valid government-issued ID before entering the facility, including any of the following types:

• A valid driver’s license
• Military ID card or
• ID card issued by the Departments of Transportation, Elderly Affairs, or the Division of Motor Vehicles.

Minors may visit inmates in an adult’s company and must present a valid birth certificate as identification. However, the adult is responsible for the minor’s behavior and must keep them in line at all times. All visitors are subject to a search before entering any Department of Corrections facility. The staff may ask them to submit to handheld detector checks, pat-downs, or frisks. Inmates may not bring any of the following to a Department of Corrections facility:

• Drinks;
• Alcohol, tobacco, marijuana, or other intoxicants;
• Telephones, laptops, tablets, cameras, and other electronic devices;
• Knives, guns, and other weapons

Visitors to any Department of Corrections facility must dress appropriately, fully clothed with underwear. Facility staff will not give access to anyone wearing the following:

• See-through clothing of any kind;
• Low-cut and V-neck sweaters, blouses, or shirts;
• Tank tops, halter tops, or “tube” tops;
• Skirts, dresses, shorts with slits rising two (2) inches or more above the knee;
• Blouses or shirts too short to tuck in or that expose the midriff;
• Tight-fitting clothing;
• Spandex, stirrup, sweat, and “swish” pants;
• Hats, headbands, and hooded clothing;
• Ripped clothing;
• Sleeveless garments;
• “Farmer” jeans;
• Clothing that resembles inmate attire;
• Clothing that resembles military or law enforcement attire;

Cranston City Court Records

Cranston City is under Providence County’s legal jurisdiction. The Providence County Superior Court and the Sixth Division District Court have jurisdiction over Cranston City civil disputes and criminal court cases. The Cranston Probate Court deals with Cranston City probate and property administration cases. Simultaneously, the Cranston Municipal Court is responsible for handling traffic violations and local ordinance offenses like zoning, parking, and minimum housing code transgressions.

The above courts’ clerks provide court records to interested requesters. The Rhode Island Judiciary gives the public online access to Cranston City court records through the Rhode Island Judiciary Public Portal. Individuals without computers and internet access may also access Cranston City court records on the courthouse clerks’ computer terminals.

The location of all courts related to Cranston City are below:

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

Cranston Probate Court
869 Park Avenue, Cranston, RI 02910
Phone: (401) 780-3197
Fax: (401) 780-3165

Cranston Municipal Court
5 Garfield Avenue, Cranston, RI 02920
Phone: (401) 477-5010
Fax: (401) 477-5028

Are Cranston City Court Records Public?

Per the Rhode Island Judiciary’s rules regarding Access to Case Information, the public may access Cranston City court records. There are computers available at the courthouses, where interested persons may view court records for free. The Judiciary also allows the public to gain remote access to court records or request certified copies from the court clerks. The public does not, however, have access to sealed or confidential court records.

How to Obtain Cranston City Civil Court Case Records

The Providence County Superior Court and the Sixth Division District Court have jurisdiction over Cranston City civil disputes. The Rhode Island Judiciary gives the public online access to Cranston City civil court records through the Rhode Island Judiciary Public Portal. Interested persons may use the portal’s “smart search” section to find civil court case records by case number or names in last, first, middle, and suffix format.

This portal is available remotely. However, individuals without computers and internet access may also access Cranston City court records on the courthouse clerks’ computer terminals. Interested persons may also visit the court clerk’s office to request certified copies of Cranston City civil court case records. The Sixth Division District Court requires applicants to complete a Request for Copy of District Court Proceedings, which allows them to get complete recordings of entire civil proceedings for $10.

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

How to Obtain Cranston City Criminal Court Records

The Sixth Division District Court handles Cranston City felony and misdemeanor arraignments, while the Providence County Superior Court deals with all Cranston City criminal cases that go to trial. The Rhode Island Judiciary gives the public online access to Cranston City criminal court records through the Rhode Island Judiciary Public Portal. Interested persons may use the portal’s “smart search” section to find criminal court records by case number or defendants’ names in last, first, middle, and suffix format.

This portal is available remotely. However, individuals without computers and internet access may also access criminal court records on the courthouse clerks’ computer terminals. Interested persons may also visit the court clerk’s office to request certified copies of Cranston City criminal court records. The Sixth Division District Court requires applicants to complete a Request for Copy of District Court Proceedings, which allows them to get complete recordings of an entire felony and misdemeanor proceeding for $10 each.

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

What Are Cranston City Vital Records?

In Cranston City, vital records are official documents that officials issue when a significant life event occurs. Examples of essential life events include births, deaths, marriages, and marital dissolution. Most Cranston City vital records are confidential and accessible only to the following persons:

• The person(s) on the record;
• Their immediate family members (spouse, parents, children, siblings, grandparents, etc.);
• The record holder’s legal representatives or anyone with a power of attorney;
• Anyone with a court order to view the record.

However, some - like birth, death, and marriage records become public property after 50 - 100 years. The Providence County Family Court is responsible for handling Cranston City divorces. At the same time, the Center for Vital Records of the Rhode Island Department of Health issues marriage licenses and birth or death certificates.

Where and How to Obtain Cranston City Divorce Records

The Providence County Family Court Clerk handles Cranston City divorce records and makes copies available to public members. However, public divorce documents do not contain sensitive details such as the parties’ financial status or agreed financial settlements. Only the following persons may access complete Cranston City divorce records:

• The divorcees
• The divorcees’ immediate family members
• The divorcees’ legal representatives or anyone with a power of attorney;
• Anyone with a court order to view the record.

Anyone may request a Cranston City divorce record by querying the Providence Family Court Clerk’s office in person or by mail. Applicants must submit written requests and provide the following details to facilitate the record search:

• The divorcees’ full names;
• The case file or docket number of the record;
• The year, month, and date the divorce was granted;
• The place in which the divorce occurred;

Requesters will need to pay a fee to obtain copies, and mail-in requesters must include a self-addressed stamped envelope to facilitate a return.

Where and How to Get Public Cranston City Marriage Records

The Center for Vital Records of the Rhode Island Department of Health issues Cranston City marriage licenses. It allows public members to request copies of Cranston City marriage certificates that are 100 years or older. Interested persons may obtain Cranston City marriage certificates online through a third-party contractor.

Interested persons may also obtain copies of public Cranston marriage certificates by completing a Marriage/Civil Union Copy Request Form and submitting it to the Vital Records office in person or by mail. The Vital Records office opens to the public on weekdays between 7:30 a.m., and 3:30 p.m. Applicants must provide a valid photo ID (or a copy for mail-in requests), a $2/year search fee for searches exceeding two years, and a $22 copy fee ($27 for mail-in requests). Additional copies (ordered simultaneously) cost $18 each.

RI Department of Health
Office of Vital Records
3 Capitol Hill, Room 101
Providence, RI 02908

Where and How to Get Confidential Cranston City Marriage Records

The Center for Vital Records of the Rhode Island Department of Health issues Cranston City marriage licenses and allows the following persons to obtain marriage certificates younger than 100 years:

• The married couple;
• The couples’ parents or legal guardians (with documentation);
• The couples’ family members;
• Law enforcement agents or other government agencies conducting official business;
• The couples’ legal representatives;
• A party with a court order to receive the marriage record.

Eligible persons may obtain confidential Cranston marriage certificates online through a third-party contractor. They may also obtain copies of Cranston marriage certificates by completing a Marriage/Civil Union Copy Request Form and submitting it to the Vital Records office in person or by mail. The Vital Records office opens to the public on weekdays between 7:30 a.m., and 3:30 p.m. Applicants must provide a valid photo ID (or a copy for mail-in requests), a $2/year search fee for searches exceeding two years, and a $22 copy fee ($27 for mail-in requests). Additional copies (ordered simultaneously) cost $18 each.

RI Department of Health
Office of Vital Records
3 Capitol Hill, Room 101
Providence, RI 02908

Where and How to Get Cranston City Birth Records

The Center for Vital Records of the Rhode Island Department of Health is responsible for issuing birth certificates in Cranston City. It allows the public to access Cranston City birth certificates that are 100 years or older. However, only the following people may obtain confidential Cranston birth certificates:

• The registrant (above eighteen years old);
• Parents named on the record;
• The registrant’s spouse;
• The registrant’s siblings
• The registrant’s legal representatives.

Interested persons (public or authorized) may obtain Cranston City birth certificates online through a third-party contractor. They may also obtain copies of Cranston City birth certificates by completing a Birth Certificate Copy Request Form and submitting it to the Vital Records office in person or by mail. The Vital Records office opens to the public on weekdays between 7:30 a.m., and 3:30 p.m. Applicants must provide a valid photo ID (or a copy for mail-in requests), a $2/year search fee for searches exceeding two years, and a $22 copy fee ($27 for mail-in requests). Additional copies (ordered simultaneously) cost $18 each.

RI Department of Health
Office of Vital Records
3 Capitol Hill, Room 101
Providence, RI 02908

Where and How to Get Cranston City Death Records

The Center for Vital Records of the Rhode Island Department of Health manages the death register and issues death certificates in Providence County. It allows the public to access Cranston City death certificates that are 50 years or older. However, only the following people may obtain confidential Cranston death certificates:

• The deceased’s spouse
• The deceased’s immediate family members (parents, siblings, children, etc.);
• The deceased’s legal representatives;
• Anyone with a legal order to obtain a certified copy.

Interested persons (public or authorized) may obtain Cranston City death certificates online through a third-party contractor. They may also obtain copies of Cranston City birth certificates by completing a Death Certificate Copy Request Form and submitting it to the Vital Records office in person or by mail. The Vital Records office opens to the public on weekdays between 7:30 a.m., and 3:30 p.m. Applicants must provide a valid photo ID (or a copy for mail-in requests), a $2/year search fee for searches exceeding two years, and a $22 copy fee ($27 for mail-in requests). Additional copies (ordered simultaneously) cost $18 each.

RI Department of Health
Office of Vital Records
3 Capitol Hill, Room 101
Providence, RI 02908