Divorce records in Bristol, Rhode Island, can be accessed through several channels, including online tools, the court that issued the decree, and the state's Judicial Records Center. BristolRICourt.us can help you find publicly available divorce record information for Bristol County. You can also contact the Rhode Island Family Court clerk's office, the Judicial Records Center, or the Rhode Island Department of Health's Office of Vital Records for divorce certificates.
Bristol Divorce Records Search
In Rhode Island, divorce cases are handled by the Family Court, a statewide court with jurisdiction over all domestic relations matters. Bristol County divorce records are maintained by the Family Court clerk's office, which serves Providence and Bristol counties from the Garrahy Judicial Complex in Providence. The records collection includes:
- Final divorce decrees and judgments
- Divorce complaints and responsive pleadings
- Settlement agreements and property division orders
- Custody and support orders
- Motions and related filings throughout the case
Older or closed divorce case files may be transferred to the Judicial Records Center, which stores inactive court records for the entire state. The Rhode Island Department of Health's Office of Vital Records also maintains divorce certificates — these are summary documents confirming that a divorce occurred, distinct from the full case file.
Where Divorce Records Are Filed in Bristol
Rhode Island's court structure assigns all divorce and domestic relations cases to the Family Court — not the Superior Court or District Court. Bristol County residents file divorce petitions with the Family Court's Domestic Relations Clerk's Office in Providence, which handles both Providence County and Bristol County cases.
After a divorce is finalized, the decree remains on file with the Family Court clerk. The court also reports the divorce to the Rhode Island Department of Health, which creates a divorce certificate for vital records purposes. Depending on what you need, contact a different office:
- Full case file, decree, or court orders: Contact the Family Court clerk or the Judicial Records Center (for older cases).
- Divorce certificate (vital record): Contact the Rhode Island Department of Health, Office of Vital Records.
- Online docket information: Use the Rhode Island Judiciary Public Portal for basic case information. Note that remote electronic access to full documents is generally limited to attorneys of record.
You can also submit a request through the Divorce Record Request Form on the Rhode Island Judiciary website to obtain copies from the Judicial Records Center.
Divorce Record Search Fees, Copy Costs, and Processing Times in Bristol
| Service | Fee | Typical Processing Time |
|---|---|---|
| Certified copy of court record (non-decree) | $3.00 per document | 5–10 business days |
| Certified copy of Family Court final judgment/divorce decree | $25.00 | 5–10 business days |
| Divorce certificate from RI Department of Health | $20.00 | 4–6 weeks (mail); same day (in person, if available) |
| Online divorce record request (Judicial Records Center) | $3.00–$25.00 depending on document type | 5–10 business days |