Records of divorce in Kent County, Rhode Island, are available through several channels. KentRICourt.us allows quick access to public information about divorce records related to this county. Additionally, you can contact the court that issued the divorce decree, the Kent County Courthouse, or the Rhode Island Department of Health's Office of Vital Records directly. The state's judicial system's online tools also provide access to case registries.
Kent Divorce Records Search
In Rhode Island, divorce cases are handled by the Family Court — this court maintains the bulk of the case materials. The Domestic Relations Clerk's Office at the Family Court keeps records of complaints, court decrees, property settlement agreements, custody, and alimony orders. Separately, the Rhode Island Department of Health (Office of Vital Records) registers divorce certificates — a short form confirming the fact of marriage dissolution.
The collection of records includes:
- Divorce decrees
- Divorce certificates — issued by the Office of Vital Records
- Settlement agreements
- Custody orders
- Related procedural documents — motions, responses, financial affidavits
To search for information about a specific case, use the public portal of the Rhode Island judicial system, which contains an electronic database in the form of docket sheets. Note: sealed cases and confidential document types are not accessible through the portal.
Family Court — Kent County
Where Divorce Records Are Filed in Kent
The filing and storage structure of documents in Rhode Island differs from many other states — there is no county clerk-recorder in the classical sense. Divorce proceedings from start to finish go through the Family Court.
- Filing a complaint and case hearing. A divorce complaint is filed with the Kent County Family Court. The court hears the case, and after issuing the final decree, it remains in the court's records office.
- Registration of the divorce at the state level. After the decision takes effect, the court notifies the Rhode Island Department of Health. The Office of Vital Records creates a divorce certificate — a short document confirming the date and fact of marriage dissolution.
Where to contact depends on what you need:
| What you need | Where to contact | Contact |
|---|---|---|
| Full text of the court decree, case materials, agreements | Family Court — Kent County, Domestic Relations Clerk's Office | (401) 822-6900 |
| Divorce certificate (short form, vital record) | Rhode Island Department of Health, Office of Vital Records | (401) 222-2811 |
For historical records created before 1900, contact the Judicial Records Center, where archival court documents from the state's five judicial districts are stored.
Electronic services — including a court fee calculator and a tool for completing the divorce procedure — are available on the eServices page of the Rhode Island judicial system.
Divorce Record Search Fees, Copy Costs, and Processing Times in Kent
| Service | Fee | Typical Processing Time |
|---|---|---|
| Certified copy of divorce certificate (Office of Vital Records) | $25.00 | 4–6 weeks (by mail) |
| Additional certified copy (ordered simultaneously) | $10.00 | Together with the first copy |
| Copy of court decree / case materials (Family Court clerk) | $1.00 per page (approximate) | Depends on volume; usually 5–10 business days |
| Certification of a court document copy (Family Court clerk) | $5.00 per document (approximate) | During visit or 5–10 business days by mail |