Washington County Arrest, Court, and Public Records

What are Washington County Public Records?

Washington County public records include all materials created or received by public agencies in relation to the carrying out of public business. The APRA provides that this includes written documents, images, tape recordings, or other records in electronic forms. There are certain records that are exempted from public access. A large number of them are to protect individual privacy. Also, there is restricted public access to the investigatory records of law enforcement.

Washington County Crime Statistics

The Rhode Island State Police publishes statewide crime reports that include the crime data for South Kingston, the county seat of Washington County. Its latest reports are for 2018. In that year, the county seat recorded no case of murder, seven rapes, two robberies, and nine aggravated assaults. Property crimes reported include 34 burglaries, 166 larcenies, and nine motor vehicle thefts. A detailed comparison of 2014 and 2018 crime data for Washington County Seat reveals that murder, robbery, and aggravated assaults rates remain unchanged. However, the rape rate increased by 40% and the motor vehicle theft rate went up by 12.5%. On the other hand, burglary (54.1%) and larceny-theft (18.6%) rates declined.

Are Washington County Criminal Records Public?

Pursuant to the APRA, Washington County criminal records are public records. It provides that all information on the arrest, conviction, trial, sentencing, incarceration, parole and probation, and other sentences are accessible to interested persons upon request. The Bureau of Criminal Identification and Investigation of the Rhode Island Attorney General’s Office provides copies of Washington's criminal records and carries out criminal history checks. State and national criminal history checks cost $5 and $35 respectively, payable by check, money order, or credit card. When paying with a check or money order, make it out to the Bureau of Criminal Investigation. A copy of government-issued photo identification is also required for criminal history checks. The office accepts in-person and mail requests for these records.

To request a criminal history check in person, visit the Attorney General’s Customer Service Center located at:

4 Howard Avenue
Corner of Pontiac Avenue and Howard Avenue
Cranston, RI 02920
Phone: (401) 274-4400

The office is open from Monday to Friday, between 8:30 a.m. and 4:30 p.m.

When submitting a mail request, send a completed Notarized Release Form, a copy of government-issued photo identification, and payment to:

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

How to Obtain Washington County Police Reports and Arrest Records?

The Department of Public Safety of the Rhode Island State Police provides Washington County arrest records, accident reports, and other public records on request. An accident report costs $15, payable by check or money order. The check or money order must be written in favor of the State of Rhode Island. To request Washington arrest records, accident reports, or other police reports, requesters should complete the Public Records Request Form. Mail the completed form and payment or submit them in person to:

Rhode Island State Police
311 Danielson Pike
North Scituate, RI 02857

The form can also be faxed to (401) 444-1105 or sent by email to records@risp.gov.

How to Find Sex Offender Information in Washington County?

The Department of Public Safety of the Rhode Island State Police maintains a sex offender database for the state. To access the sex offender information provided in this registry, visit Rhode Island Sex Offender Listing. This page lists all Level 2 to Level 3 offenders in the state. It is also possible to search the database by zip code and city/town name.

How to Find Washington County Inmate Records?

The Washington County Jail stopped operating in 1956 after there was a statewide cancelation of the county jail system in Rhode Island. The old county jail which now serves as the headquarters of the county history center is located at:

2636 Kingstown Road
Kingston, RI 02881

Currently, there are no county jails in Washington County. However, some of its cities and towns have local jails. Listed below are the addresses and contact information of these jails:

Charlestown SD Police Jail
4901 Old Post Road
Charlestown, RI 02813
(401) 364-1212

Exeter RI Police Jail
675 Ten Rod Road
Exeter, RI 02822
(401) 539-2323

Hopkinton RI Police Jail
406 Woodville Road
Hopkinton, RI 02833
(401) 377-7750

New Shoreham RI Police Jail
10 Beach Avenue
New Shoreham, RI 02807
(401) 466-3220

Narragansett RI Police Jail
40 Caswell Street
Narragansett, RI 02882
(401) 789-1091

Richmond RI Police Jail
1168 Main Street
Wyoming, RI 02898
(401) 539-8289

South Kingstown RI Police Jail
1790 Kingston Road
Wakefield, RI 02879
(401) 783-3321

Westerly RI Police Jail
60 Airport Road
Westerly, RI 02891
(401) 596-2022

To access personal records of inmates currently incarcerated in any of Washington County jails, visit or call the police department overseeing the operations of the local jail using the contact information.

Court Records

Washington County courts include one Superior Court, one District Court, one Family Court, nine Probate Courts, four Municipal Courts, and one Traffic Tribunal. These courts handle various kinds of cases and keep the records from the cases.

Location of Courts in Washington County

Washington County Superior Court
Washington County Superior Court
McGrath Judicial Complex
4800 Tower Hill Road
Wakefield, RI 02879
Phone: (401) 782-4121
Fax: (401) 782-4190

Washington County District Court
Fourth Division District Court
McGrath Judicial Complex
4800 Tower Hill Road
Wakefield, RI 02879
Phone: (401) 782-4131
Fax: (401) 782-4109

Washington County Family Court
Washington County Family Court
McGrath Judicial Complex
4800 Tower Hill Road
Wakefield, RI 02879
Phone: (401) 782-4111
Fax: (401) 789-7204

Washington County Probate Courts
Charlestown Probate Court
4540 South County Trail
Charlestown, RI 02813
Phone: (401) 364-1200
Fax: (401) 364-1238

Exeter Probate Court
675 Ten Rod Road
Exeter, RI 02822
Phone: (401) 294-3891
Fax: (401) 295-1248

Hopkinton Probate Court
1 Town House Road
Hopkinton, RI 02883
Phone: (401) 377-7777
Fax: (401) 377-7788

Narragansett Probate Court
25 5th Avenue
Narragansett, RI 02882
Phone: (401) 782-0621
Fax: (401) 783-9637

New Shoreham Probate Court
P.O. Box 220
Block Island, RI 02807
Phone: (401) 466-3200
Fax: (401) 466-3219

North Kingstown Probate Court
100 Fairway Drive
North Kingstown, RI 02852
Phone: (401) 268-1550
Fax: (401) 294-2437

Richmond Probate Court
5 Richmond Townhouse Road
Wyoming, RI 02898
Phone: (401) 539-9000, extension 9
Fax: (401) 539-1089

South Kingstown Probate Court
Town Hall
180 High Street
Wakefield, RI 02879
Phone: (401) 789-9331, extension 1236
Fax: (401) 789-5280

Westerly Probate Court
45 Broad Street
Westerly, RI 02891
Phone: (401) 348-2500

Washington County Municipal Courts
Hopkinton Municipal Court
1 Town House Road
Hopkinton, RI 02833
Phone: (401) 377-7759
Fax: (401) 377-7788

Narragansett Municipal Court
25 5th Avenue
Narragansett, RI 02882
Phone: (401) 782-0655

North Kingstown Municipal Court
100 Fairway Drive
North Kingstown, RI 02852
Phone: (401) 268-1557

Westerly Municipal Court
45 Broad Street
Westerly, RI 02891
Phone: (401) 596-7374

Washington County Traffic Tribunals
Rhode Island Traffic Tribunal - Satellite Location
Oliver Stedman Government Center
4800 Tower Hill Road
Wakefield, RI 02879
Phone: (401) 275-2700

Are Washington County Court Records Public?

Washington County court records are generally public unless access is restricted by a court order or law. Washington court records are available at the courthouse where the case was decided.

Can You Look Up a Washington County Court Case Online?

Interested persons can look up Washington County court cases online through the Rhode Island Judiciary Public Portal. It gives access to several cases. It allows for smart searches with the record number or name of a party to the case. Users can also use the advanced search options, such as party search, case search, warrant search, etc. The portal also allows users to search court hearings.

How to Obtain Washington County Civil Court Case Records?

The Rhode Island Supreme Court Judicial Records Center (JRC) maintains court records for the courts in the state. Civil records from 2001 to 2008 of the Washington County Superior Court are available at the center. To obtain copies of civil court case records for Washington County courts, visit the Judicial Records Center located at:

5 Hill Street
Pawtucket, RI 02860
Phone: (401) 721-2641

For Washington County court records not found at this center, contact the Clerks of the Superior Court:

Washington County Superior Court
McGrath Judicial Complex
4800 Tower Hill Road
Wakefield, RI 02879
Phone: (401) 782-4121
Fax: (401) 782-4190

To view or copy the records of Probate, Municipal, and District Courts in the county, contact those courts directly by visiting or calling their courthouses.

How to Obtain Washington County Criminal Court Records?

The JRC keeps copies of criminal court records for the courts in the state. Criminal records from 1991 to 2008 of the Washington County Superior Court are available at JRC. To get copies of criminal court records for Washington County courts, interested persons can make in-person requests at the Judicial Records Center located at:

5 Hill Street
Pawtucket, RI 02860
Phone: (401) 721-2641

Where the Washington court record is not found at the center, a requester can query the Clerks of the Superior Court:

Washington County Superior Court
McGrath Judicial Complex
4800 Tower Hill Road
Wakefield, RI 02879
Phone: (401) 782-4121
Fax: (401) 782-4190

To obtain records of Probate, Municipal, and District Courts in the county, query the court directly by visiting or calling their courthouses.

What are Washington County Vital Records?

Washington County vital records are official documents that contain information about vital events that happened within the county. They include divorce, marriage, death, and birth records. The Washington County Family Court and the JRC are custodians of divorce records. Marriage, birth, and death records are kept by the Rhode Island Department of Public Health.

Where and How to Obtain Washington County Divorce Records?

Divorce records for Washington County are maintained by the Rhode Island Supreme Court Judicial Records Center. Individuals should contact the Judicial Record Center to enquire about obtaining copies of Washington County divorce record at:

5 Hill Street
Pawtucket, RI 02860
Phone: (401) 721-2641

For divorce records not available at this center, visit the Washington County Family Court at:

Washington County Family Court
McGrath Judicial Complex
4800 Tower Hill Road
Wakefield, RI 02879
Phone: (401) 782-4111
Fax: (401) 789-7204

Where and How to Get Public Washington County Marriage Records?

The Rhode Island Department of Health provides certified copies of Washington County marriage records on request. Washington County marriage certificates are only issued to the subjects of the marriage and their immediate family members. The Department charges $25 per certificate when requested by mail and $22 when requested in person. Each additional copy of the same record requested on the same day costs $18.

To request a Washington County marriage certificate, complete the Application for a Certified Copy of a Marriage or Civil Record. A copy of government-issued photo identification and payment is required to process each of the applications. The application can be submitted in person or via mail to:

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

Where and How to Find Washington County Birth Records?

The Rhode Island Department of Public Health is the primary custodian of Washington County birth records. These records can be obtained in person or by mail. Only the record’s subject and immediate family members can obtain birth records. To obtain copies of Washington County birth certificates, interested parties should complete the Application for a Certified Copy of a Birth Record form. The completed form should be submitted in person or by mail, along with payment and a valid government-issued ID, to address:

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

Requests made in person cost $22 for the first copy and $18 for each additional copy. Payment should be made with cash, checks, or money orders. Money orders or checks should be made out to the 'General Treasurer, State of Rhode Island'. Mail requests, on the other hand, cost $25 for the first copy, and $18 for each additional copy. Payment should be made with checks or money order only.

Where and How to Find Washington County Death Records?

The Rhode Island Department of Health keeps copies of Washington County death records. Death records to the immediate family members of the deceased. It costs $25 per certificate when requested by mail and $22 if it is an in-person request. Additional copies of the same record requested at the same time cost $18 each.

To request a Washington County death certificate, fill out the Application for a Certified Copy of a Death Record. Requesters should submit the filled-out form with a copy of government-issued photo identification, and payment to:

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

Are Property Records Open to the Public in Washington County?

The Rhode Island State in its Public Information Act gives the public access to property records of Washington County.

Where and How to Find Property Records in Washington County

The U.S. state of Rhode Island has 39 different municipalities, and each municipality has a Town/City Clerk responsible for recording and maintaining its property documents. The clerks' offices assign book and page numbers to recorded documents and scan them to the municipality's system. The municipalities also keep images, but they are not all available for online viewing. Requesters can contact the offices of the clerks in Washington County at the following locations for more information on obtaining Washington County property records:

Exeter Town Clerk
675 Ten Rod Road
Exeter, RI 02822
Phone: (401) 294-3891

Narragansett Town Clerk
25 5th Avenue
Narragansett Pier, RI 02882
Phone: (401) 782-0624

Richmond Town Clerk
5 Richmond Townhouse Road
Richmond, RI 02898
Phone: (401) 539-0230

Washington County Clerk
4800 Tower Hill Road
South Kingstown, RI 02879
Phone: (401) 782-4121

How to Look Up Washington County Property Records

Each Municipality in Washington County maintains and issues its property records. The U.S. state of Rhode Island provides quick online access to requesters to search the records of municipalities with their land records available online. People can contact the office of the tax assessor of a municipality that does not have its land records available online at as stated below:

Town of Charlestown Tax Assessor
4540 South County Trail
Charlestown, RI 02813
Phone: (401) 364-1233
Fax: (401) 364-1238

Town of Exeter Assessor
675 Ten Rod Road
Exeter, RI 02822
Phone: (401) 294-5734
Fax: (401) 267-1029

Town of Hopkinton Assessor
1 Town House Road
Hopkinton Town Hall
Hopkinton, RI 02833
Phone: (401) 377-7780
Fax: (401) 377-7755

Town of Narragansett Assessor
25 Fifth Avenue
Narragansett, RI 02882
Phone: (401) 782-0616
Fax: (401) 788-2555

Town of New Shoreham Assessor
P.O. Box 220
Block Island, RI 02807
Phone: (401) 466-3217

Town of North Kingstown Tax Assessment and Collection
80 Boston Neck Road
North Kingstown, RI 02852
Phone: (401) 268-1531

Town of Richmond Tax Assessor
5 Richmond Townhouse Road
Wyoming, RI 02898
Phone: (401) 539-9000

Town of South Kingstown Assessor
180 High Street
South Kingstown Town Hall
Wakefield, RI 02879
Phone: (401) 789-9331
Fax: (401) 788-9792

Town of Westerly Assessor
45 Broad Street
Westerly Town Hall
Westerly, RI 02891
Phone: (401) 348-2540

Location of Washington County Township Property Assessors