Most people at times displace their birth certificates and they need to have them replaced. These documents are usually very important as identification documents. In Rhode Island issuance and replacement of birth certificates is done by the Rhode Island Department of Health, the Division of Vital Records. These records have been kept ever since 1899. People apart from the owner of the birth certificate who are allowed to apply for a replacement birth certificate include:
- The parents or Legal Guardian of the individual
- The Grandparents and Great Grandparents of the individual
- The Adult children of the individual
- A Sister/Brother of the individual
- The Legal Representative of the individual or a legally Authorized Person
The three main methods of ordering of a birth certificate replacement in Rhode Island are
- Application for replacement online
- Application for replacement by mail
- Application for replacement in person
Application for a Rhode Island Birth Certificate replacement Online
This is the simplest way of getting your replacement. All you have to do is make the application online and give all the information including your credit card information so that the necessary fee is paid. This process takes less than a week and you will get your birth certificate replacement. If you need it in a hurry you can speedup the process using a special service ensuring you get it within a day or two.
Application for a Rhode Island Birth Certificate replacement using mail
This method takes the longest time. You may have to wait for a period of about 4 to 6 weeks after you have been notified that your application has been received. The following are the main steps involved:
- First you have to Download Mail-In Application
- Then you have to give information including your name, date and place of birth, your sex, the hospital of birth your parent’s names and contact information.
- If the application is for another individual you also have to give the relationship between you and that individual and your reason for making the application.
You then have to send all this information inclusive of the fee to the address below
Rhode Island Department of Health, Division of Vital Records
3 Capitol Hill, Rm. 101
Providence, RI 02908-5097
Application for a Rhode Island Birth Certificate replacement in Person
This method of application is one of the fastest. You will get your replacement on the same date you applied for it. All you have to do is visit any county health department in the State of Rhode Island and provide the requested information. After paying the necessary fee you will just wait for a short while and be issued with your replacement birth certificate.
The costs involved when replacing your birth certificate in Rhode Island
For one certified copy you have to pay an amount of around $20.00 for any additional copies that would be ordered at the same moment you will pay only $15.00. When making a mail application your check or money order has to be written to “General Treasurer of Rhode Island.” All payments are non refundable and the expedited service has additional charges.



"I was in urgent need of a replacement birth certificate and your guide was a life saver. After searcing with no luck online for a couple days I decided to try your guide and it saved me so much time!"
Cant believe it...I needed to get a passport to go back to Mexico and visit family but had lost my birth certificate months ago. After struggling with the Arizona government website I found your guide and it was a huge help. I followed your instructions and tips and my replacement birth certificate arrived in 3 days.