Introduction to Rhode Island Public Records
Most states have fairly relaxed laws with regard to public records. The goal of keeping and disseminating these records is to ensure that the public has a right to all of the government's actions (and the actions of everyone funded by the government) so these state laws are designed to provide that freedom.
Rhode Island public records are a little tougher. Rhode Island has decided that not all of its records are public, and has provided discretionary rights to the Rhode Island public records keepers about who can access what records.
Still, within Rhode Island public records you will find a lot of information related to the government, as well as the people living in it. For example:
You can access government memos.
You can access marriage and divorce licenses.
You can access criminal histories.
Rhode Island public records may not quite be as open as they are in many other states, but even with the limitations, Rhode Island public records are very broad and usually contain the data or documents you are looking for. As long as you can find the right department to apply to and fill out the paperwork, you can get hold of almost all of the records you need, and use them for any purpose.
