Rhode Island General Laws Title 23. Health and Safety § 23-3-5.1. Transfer of public historical documents

(a) At the end of each calendar year, original records of births and marriages that have occurred one hundred (100) years or more from the date of transfer and deaths that have occurred fifty (50) years or more from the date of transfer, shall be permanently transferred by the state registrar of vital records to the custody of the state archives under control of the secretary of state who may promulgate rules and regulations pertaining to these public historical documents.  In order to preserve the integrity of historical public vital records, which are maintained at the Rhode Island state archives, public historical vital records shall not be amended.  Prior to transferring the records to the state archives, the division of vital records shall ensure that an electronic copy of the records is provided to all local registrars for the purpose of issuance of accurate copies, or certified copies, to the public as authorized by law.

(b) Amendments to records on file with the local registrar, which are not available in electronic format, shall be forwarded upon amendment to the local registrar for the purpose of issuance of accurate copies, or certified copies, to the public as authorized by law.