Rhode Island General Laws Title 23. Health and Safety § 23-3-24. Copies of data from vital records

(1) The state registrar of vital records shall upon request issue a certified copy of any certificate or record in the registrar's custody or a part thereof. Each copy issued shall show the date of registration; and copies issued from records marked “delayed,” “amended,” or “court order” shall be similarly marked and show the effective date. Any copies issued of a “certificate of foreign birth” shall indicate this fact and show the actual place of birth.

(2) The local registrars shall upon request issue a certified copy of any certificate or record in the local registrar's custody or to which the local registrar has access only in a form that shall be prescribed by the state director of health or the state archives under the control of the secretary of state, following transfer pursuant to § 23-3-5.1.

(3) A certified copy of a certificate or any part thereof, issued in accordance with subdivision (1) or (2) of this section, shall be considered for all purposes the same as the original, and shall be prima facie evidence of the facts stated in the certificate, provided that the evidentiary value of a certificate or record filed more than one year after the event, or a record that has been amended, or a “ certificate of foreign birth,” shall be determined by the judicial or administrative body or official before whom the certificate is offered as evidence.

(4) The National Office of Vital Statistics may be furnished copies or data that it may require for national statistics; provided, that the state shall be reimbursed for the cost of furnishing the data; and provided further, that the data shall not be used for other than statistical purposes by the National Office of Vital Records unless so authorized by the state registrar of vital records.

(5) Federal, state, local, and other public or private agencies may, upon request, be furnished copies or data for statistical purposes upon terms or conditions that may be prescribed by the state director of health.

(6) No person shall prepare or issue any certificate which purports to be an original certified copy, or copy of a certificate of birth, death, or fetal death, except as authorized in this chapter or regulations adopted under this chapter.