Recorded documents in Rhode Island — deeds, mortgages, liens, plats, and other land records — are filed with the City/Town Clerk in each municipality.
What this page covers: Rhode Island recorded document searches — deeds, mortgages, assignments, liens, plats, and other instruments filed in the public land records. What it does not cover: Property valuations or tax data (those are on the Property Records page).
Where to start: Go to the City/Town Clerk in the municipality where the property is located. Many municipality city/town clerks offer online document search by grantor/grantee name, book/page, or instrument number.
Common mistake: Recorded documents show what was filed — they do not confirm current ownership or lien status without a full title search. A deed in the index does not mean it is the most recent transfer.
Recorded Documents Databases
3 official Rhode Island recorded documents sources.
Recorded Documents
Rhode Island Counties
All 5 Rhode Island counties. Click any county for local court, sheriff, recorder and assessor links.
Frequently Asked Questions
Is there a free statewide criminal search in Rhode Island?▼
Rhode Island's official criminal-history repository is operated by the state law-enforcement agency. Free public access to a complete criminal history is generally not available; an official background check typically requires fingerprints and a fee. County-level court records can be searched at no cost through individual court websites.
How do I search Rhode Island court cases?▼
Rhode Island's court system is headed by the Rhode Island Supreme Court. Trial-court business is handled by the Superior Court, District Court, Family Court, Workers' Compensation Court. Many Rhode Island courts publish docket searches and case lookups online — see the Court Records tab above for direct links.
Where do I search Rhode Island business entities?▼
The Rhode Island Secretary of State (or equivalent agency) operates the official business-entity search. You can typically search corporations, LLCs, LPs, and other registered entities by name or registration number. See the Licenses or Business tab above.
What is the difference between Assessor and Recorder in Rhode Island?▼
The Assessor determines property values for tax purposes. The Recorder (or Clerk-Recorder) records deeds, mortgages, liens, and other property documents. Some county offices combine these roles, others keep them separate. Check the specific county page for details.
How do I obtain a Rhode Island birth or death certificate?▼
Rhode Island vital records (birth, death, marriage, divorce certificates) are issued by the Rhode Island Department of Health (Center for Vital Records) and, in many cases, by local county clerks. Fees and ID requirements are set by the issuing agency.
Are Rhode Island property records free to search?▼
Most county-level property and recorded-document searches are free for basic information through the Assessor or Recorder website. Certified copies of deeds typically have a per-page fee. Direct links are in the Property Records tab above.
How do I check a Rhode Island sex offender?▼
The Rhode Island sex offender registry is maintained by the state law-enforcement agency under the Sex Offender Registration and Community Notification Act. The registry is searchable by name, ZIP code, or address.