Vital Records

BIRTH CERTIFICATES

Birth records on file in the Town Clerk's office date back to 1800.  Records 100 years old and older are public records.  All records less than 100 years old are only available by request to the person named on the record or to a close relative.

Where do I obtain a copy of my Birth Certificate?

If you were born in the State of Rhode Island in 1960 or after, you may obtain your birth certificate from any City or Town in Rhode Island, as well as from the RI Department of Vital Records.

If you were born prior to 1960 and were born in the Town of Lincoln, or if you were born in Rhode Island and your mother lived in Lincoln at the time of your birth, you may obtain the birth certificate in the Town Clerk's Office.

DEATH CERTIFICATES

Death records on file in the Town Clerk's office date back to 1800.  Records 50 years old and older are public records.  All records less than 50 years old are only available to a close relative.

Where is the Death Certificate Filed?

If the person died in the State of Rhode Island after January 1, 2022, you may obtain the death certificate from any City or Town in Rhode Island, as well as from the RI Department of Health Vital Records.

If the person died prior to 2022, the death record is filed in Lincoln if:

  • The death occurred in the Town of Lincoln
  • The descendent resided in Lincoln and the death occurred in the State. 

MARRIAGE CERTIFICATES

Marriage records on file in the Town Clerk's office date back to 1800.  Records 100 years old and older are public records.  All records less than 100 years old are only available by request to the person named on the record or to a close relative.

Where do I obtain a copy of my Marriage License?

If you were married in the State of Rhode Island after June 1, 2022, you may obtain the marriage certificate from any City or Town in Rhode Island, as well as from the RI Department of Heath Vital Records.

If you were married prior to June 1, 2022, the marriage record is filed in Lincoln if:

  • It was applied for in Lincoln (one or either of the parties was a resident of Lincoln at the time of the marriage)
  • The marriage took place in Lincoln

HOW TO OBTAIN A COPY OF A VITAL RECORD?

Enter the Town Clerk's Office at Lincoln Town Hall, 100 Old River Road, Lincoln, RI 02865.  We are located right across the hall from the Town Council Chambers.  Please be ready to present a valid government issued photo identification of yourself. OR...

Mail request with the following information:

  • Copy of a government issued photo identification
  • State full name and date of the event
  • Enclose check payable to the "Town of Lincoln"
  • If the request is for certificate other than your own, follow the steps above and also state your relationship to that person.
  • Mail the request to the address listed above.

OR...Order Online with the link at the top of the page.

Cost:

In Person:

$22.00 for the first certificate and $18.00 for each additional certificate, of the same record, when ordered simultaneously.

By Mail or Online*:

$25.00 for the first certificate and $18.00 for each additional certificate, of the same record, when ordered simultaneously.

*Online requests have an additional $5 surcharge charged by a 3rd party for using credit card