How do I obtain a copy of my birth record? Persons born in Rhode Island may obtain a birth certificate in the town or city in which they were born, or at the Portsmouth Town Clerk’s Office, if their parents resided in Portsmouth at the time of the birth. One may apply in person, at which time he or she will be required to complete a state mandated form and present an official picture ID (such as a driver’s license or military ID.)
A birth certificate may be requested by mail. Information to include is the individual’s birth name, date of birth, mother’s maiden name and father’s name. A photocopy of the individual’s picture ID (such as a driver’s license or military ID) must be included with the request.
A money order, payable to the Town of Portsmouth, must also be included. The fee is $20.00 for the first, and $15.00 for each additional certificate (of the same person) requested at the same time. If you wish a long form birth certificate and a card-size certificate the fee is $20.00 for each one. A self-addressed, stamped envelope should also be included for a speedy response. A contact name and telephone number is suggested in the event additional information is needed or questions arise. Every attempt is made to respond within 24 to 48 hours of receipt.
Requests should be mailed to: Town Clerk’s Office 2200 East Main Road Portsmouth, RI 02871
Pursuant to Rhode Island State Law, one may only obtain a birth certificate for oneself, one’s parent, one’s children, brother, sister, grandchild or grandparent. One must be able to prove relationship if the last names are different. A social worker or attorney may also obtain a birth certificate for his/her client.
In some instances, the birth record may only be on file in the State of Rhode Island Vital Records Office. The Town Clerk’s office will inform you if that is the case. back to top
How do I obtain a marriage license?
Marriage licenses are issued by the Portsmouth Town Clerk’s office to couples:
1) when Portsmouth is the official residence of the bride and the wedding is to take place in Rhode Island;
2) when Portsmouth is the official residence of the groom, the bride is from out of state and the marriage is to take place in Rhode Island;
3) when both the bride and groom are from out of state and the marriage is to take place in the Town of Portsmouth.
4) when it is 90 days or less before the marriage ceremony is to take place.
The State of Rhode Island does not require a waiting period or blood tests.
On average, the licensing process takes approximately thirty (30) minutes. The bride and groom must arrive at the Town Clerk’s office by 4:00 p.m. Monday through Friday and complete an official license application.
Each is to present an original birth record from the city, town, or state of birth with the raised seal of that government agency as well as an official picture ID (such as a driver’s license or military ID). Persons born out of the country who do not have birth certificates may present passports. If the birth certificate is in a foreign language, a certified translation may be required.
If either party has been married before, an original death certificate or final decree or final judgment of divorce, with the raised seal of the government agency, must be presented. The document must have a court entry date of the final/absolute decree of the divorce.
The fee for a marriage license is $24.00 cash (no checks) and is valid for 90 days.
The fee for copies of the marriage certificate is $20.00 for the initial copy and $15.00 for each additional copy of the same document requested at that time.
Note: Town Clerks in Rhode Island cannot officiate at marriages. Couples must make arrangements with a person in Rhode Island who, by Rhode Island State Law, qualifies to join couples in marriage in a civil ceremony. (Ordained clergy and elders in good standing need not be Rhode Island residents, nor are they required to register in order to unite couples in marriage.) In addition to the officiate, two witnesses who have reached the legal age of 18 years must be present at the marriage. back to topHow do I obtain a death certificate? Death records 50 years old and older are public records. All records less than 50 years old are only available, by request, to a close relative. The death certificate is filed in Portsmouth if:
A close relative may apply in person. He or she will be required to complete a state-mandated form and present an official picture ID (such as a driver’s license or military ID.)
A certified death certificate may also be requested by mail. Information to include is the individual’s name and date of death. A photocopy of your picture ID (such as a driver’s license or military ID) must be included with the request.
A money order, payable to the Town of Portsmouth, must also be included. The fee is $20.00 for the initial copy and $15.00 for each additional copy of the same document requested at that time. A self-addressed, stamped envelope should also be included for a speedy response. A contact name and number is also suggested in the event additional information is needed or questions arise. Every attempt is made to respond to the request within 24 to 48 hours of receipt.
Requests should be mailed to:
Town Clerk’s Office 2200 East Main Road Portsmouth, RI 02871
Pursuant to Rhode Island State Law, one may only obtain a death certificate for one’s parent, one’s children, brother, sister, grandchild or grandparent. One must be able to prove relationship if the last names are different. A social worker or attorney may also obtain a death certificate for his/her client. back to topDog licenses must be renewed during the month of April every year. The licensing year is May 1st through April 30th. The license fee is $8.00 per dog. If the dog is licensed after April 30th, a late fee of $5.00 is charged. A Rabies Vaccination Certificate must be presented at the time of licensing. The vaccination must be current and valid into the licensing year. No more than three dogs are allowed at any residence.
THE TOWN OF PORTSMOUTH HAS A LEASH LAW !!!
In 1985 the General Assembly enacted a strict Statute governing VICIOUS ANIMALS & ANIMALS RUNNING AT LARGE. The penalties are severe. You may wish to consult the Rhode Island Statutes.
The following excerpts appearing below are portions of a newly enacted Ordinance regulating the “Running at large of Animals” and in amendment to Chapter 3, Sec. 2, of the Portsmouth Town Code. It is the intent that they help to inform you of Town regulations regarding dogs. (A complete copy is available for inspection at the Office of the Town Clerk or the Animal Control Officer.)
Sec. 3-6 (a) It shall be unlawful for any person to allow or permit any animal to trespass on private or public property so as to damage or destroy any property or thing of value and the same is hereby declared to be a nuisance …
(b) (b) The keeping or harboring of any dog or other animal or fowl whether licensed or not, which habitually howls, yelps, barks or causes noises … is hereby declared to be a public nuisance and each day shall constitute a separate offense.
Sec. 3-13 No person, being the owner or keeper of a dog or having the charge or custody of a dog, shall allow such dog to run loose off its owner or keeper’s property within the Town of Portsmouth unless such dog is properly leashed and said leash is controlled by the owner or keeper of such dog.
Sec. 3-14 (c) Notwithstanding the provisions of this ordinance, any person who immediately notifies the Animal Control Officer that their dog has escaped from restraint and requests assistance in bringing the dog under control or restraint shall not be punished or liable for a fine, charge or fee pursuant to this Chapter for failure to properly restrain a dog …
Sec. 3-16 CONFINEMENT OF DANGEROUS VICIOUS ANIMALS AND FEMALES IN HEAT (ask for paragraphs (a) and (b) of this section).
Sec. 3-17 (a) Every animal which bites a person shall be promptly reported to the Animal Control Officer and shall thereupon be securely quarantined …
RHODE ISLAND GENERAL LAWS
CHAPTER 4-13 entitled “DOGS”
4-13-31. 4-13-31. Compulsory rabies vaccination.
(1) (1) For the purpose of preventing the introduction of rabies when rabies appears in any nearby area and its appearance creates a threat of introduction into Rhode Island; or for the suppression; or for the control of rabies, the board shall make regulations requiring compulsory vaccination of dogs, cats, ferrets or any other domestic animal as deemed necessary against rabies in a manner specified by it in any area or areas within the State of Rhode Island, which are deemed necessary to prevent that introduction, or for the purposes of suppression and control.
(9) (9) A person who fails to have or refuses to have each dog, cat and/or ferret owned or kept by said person vaccinated against rabies violates the provisions of this Chapter.
44-13-32. 4-13-32. Penalty for violation of rabies suppression provisions.
Any person violating the provisions of 4-13-29 and 4-13-31 shall be charged with a misdemeanor and fined not less than two hundred dollars ($200.) nor more than five hundred dollars ($500.) for each offense or be imprisoned for not less than ten (10) days nor more than thirty (30) days.
CHAPTER 22 – CAT IDENTIFICATION PROGRAM
4-22-2. (d) “Identification” means: a traceable form of identification such as (1) a collar and a flat or hanging tag worn by a cat which includes the current name, address and telephone number of the owner, or (2) a rabies vaccination tax, or (3) an ear tag issued by a licensed veterinarian or by a licensed animal shelter or licensed municipal pound, or (4) a registered microchip which is used in conjunction with a visible collar and tag or in conjunction with a faceted, reflective ear stud, or (5) a tag from a licensed animal shelter or licensed municipal pound, or (6) a tattoo registered with the National Dog Registry or other similar national tattoo service, or (7) a cat license issued by a Rhode Island city or town, or (8) a collar incorporating embroidery as a type of information labeling rather than a hanging or flat tag or (9) in the case of feral cats, a tipped or notched ear in conjunction with a microchip or any of the above other forms of identification. The intent is to allow flexibility in the types of identification available for cats and to incorporate other types of cat identification in the future as they are developed. (As of 1/1/2000) Rhode Island Hunting and Freshwater Fishing Licenses are available at the Town Clerk’s Office. To purchase a hunting or combination license you must present a hunter safety course card or a previous Rhode Island hunting license. We do not accept out of state licenses as proof of having a previous license. If a person is in active military duty or has been honorably discharged they are entitled to a resident license. Residency is classified as available to an individual who has had his actual place of residence and has lived in the State of Rhode Island for a continuous period of not less than six (6) months. College students who are residents of another state are ineligible for a resident license. A Rhode Island driver’s license or Rhode Island identification card are required as proof of residency. If the customer is under the driving age, a parent must present his or her driver’s license. State law requires that any resident or non-resident fifteen (15) years of age or older fishing in a catch and release area or possessing trout from any waters within the state must possess a trout stamp. Customer must sign the trout stamp across front of the stamp to validate it and affix it to the back of their license. Trout/Waterfowl (duck) stamps are sold separately but only to persons with a valid Rhode Island fishing/hunting license. Residents who are 65 and older can get a free license. They are exempt from purchasing trout stamps, but must purchase a waterfowl (duck) stamp for $7.50 and deer tags for deer tag hunting at $12.50. They also need a HIP permit if hunting migratory birds. Persons who are 100% permanently disabled can get a free license. These licenses are only sold at DEM offices. They need to show a doctor’s letter stating they are 100% permanently disabled. Resident Stickers for access to the Town Transfer Station are available at Town Hall. Portsmouth Transfer Station stickers are for sale at the Town Hall during normal business hours. Transfer Station stickers cost $100 and must be permanently affixed to the windshield of the vehicle for which they are being obtained. Applicants must bring their vehicle’s registration to obtain a sticker. Seasonal residents must provide proof of their residence at their Portsmouth address. Residents with leased vehicles must provide their automobile’s insurance form showing their Portsmouth address. Requests for stickers for additional vehicles will require separate information for each vehicle. Stickers may be obtained through the mail using the application form available below. This form is also available at the Town Hall and at other convenient outlets around Town. Mail applications may also be deposited in the tax payment drop box at the Town Hall. The Portsmouth Transfer Station sticker is good for one year, January 1, 2008 through December 31, 2008. No one will be admitted to the Transfer Station without a valid 2008 sticker after February 1, 2008. The Transfer Station is open from 7:30 a.m. to 4:00 p.m. weekdays and Saturdays except Wednesday when it is closed and Thursdays when it is open until 7:00 p.m. The Transfer Station is for the disposal of household waste only. No waste from businesses, contractors, landscapers or any form of commercial or agricultural activity is accepted. Trash, including yard waste, demolition debris, or other loose material, must be bagged or transported to the Station in standard trash barrels. Sandy Point Beach Stickers Resident entry stickers for Sandy Point Beach are free and are available at the Town Clerk's office with proof of residency. IF YOU HAVE PURCHASED A TRANSFER STATION STICKER (see above) NO OTHER STICKER IS NECESSARY for free entry into Sandy Point Beach. The One-year Non-resident stickers for Sandy Point Beach may be purchased for $25.00 at the Town Clerk’s Office. You must present your vehicle registration at the time of purchase. back to top
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