Kent County Court Records
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Kent County is one of five counties in Rhode Island, with Warwick as its primary judicial center. The county's courts all operate out of the Noel Judicial Complex on Quaker Lane in Warwick, where the Superior Court, Family Court, and District Court 3rd Division each maintain their own clerk offices on different floors of the same building. Probate matters work differently — each city and town within Kent County runs its own probate court through the local clerk's office. Understanding this structure is essential before you start looking for records, whether you need information about a felony case, a civil lawsuit, a family dispute, or an estate proceeding.
If you're searching for Rhode Island court records, you have several official channels available: courthouse clerk offices, public-access computer terminals, and electronic databases maintained by the judiciary. The Rhode Island Judiciary Public Portal offers free remote access to docket sheets across multiple court departments. Each clerk's office at the complex also offers in-person terminal access during business hours. RhodeIslandCourts.us can help you identify court locations, understand filing procedures, and find publicly available case information across the state.
How to Look Up a Court Case in Kent County?
All three state-level courts serving Kent County are housed in the Noel Judicial Complex, which also hosts the Access to Justice Office, the Office of the Disciplinary Counsel, and the Commission on Judicial Tenure and Discipline.
Court Locations in the Noel Judicial Complex
| Court | Suite/Floor | Phone | Fax |
|---|---|---|---|
| Kent County Superior Court | 4th Floor, Suite 400, Room 4000 | (401) 822-6900 | (401) 822-6905 |
| Kent County Family Court | 3rd Floor, Suite 310, Room 3019 | (401) 822-6725 | (401) 822-6730 |
| District Court 3rd Division | 2nd Floor, Suite 220, Room 2020 | (401) 822-6750 | (401) 822-6755 |
Address for all three courts:
Noel Judicial Complex
222 Quaker Lane
Warwick, RI 02886
The District Court 3rd Division also has direct lines for specific case types: criminal matters at (401) 822-6751, civil matters at (401) 822-6760, and small claims at (401) 822-6770. A TTY line for the Family Court is available at (401) 822-6728.
Online Case Lookup
The Rhode Island Judiciary Public Portal lets anyone search docket information remotely at no charge. The portal displays a register of actions for each case — parties, events, document filings, and other activities listed chronologically. Here's how to use it:
- Navigate to the Public Portal.
- Use the Smart Search field to enter a party name (last name, first name format) or a case number.
- Click Advanced Filtering Options to expand additional search criteria.
- Under the General Options navigation panel, use the Filter by Location dropdown to select the relevant court — Superior Court Search, District Court Search, or Family Court.
- Review the results and click on a case number to view its docket sheet.
The general public and self-represented litigants have remote access to the register of actions (docket sheet) only. Remote access to underlying documents is limited. Rhode Island-admitted attorneys who have entered an appearance on a case may obtain broader remote access to case documents by emailing a signed Request for Access to Case Information and Data Subscription Agreement to the Judicial Technology Center at HelpDesk@courts.ri.gov.
In-Person Searches
Each clerk's office at the Noel Judicial Complex has public computer terminals where visitors can view electronic case records during regular business hours. Access at these terminals is broader than what's available remotely — you can view all public electronic case information on-site. Sealed or confidential records cannot be accessed through public terminals.
Older Records
Pre-1900 court records and archived case files are stored at the Judicial Records Center (JRC) in Pawtucket. You can visit the JRC in person or submit a mail request. Call the JRC at (401) 721-2641 to confirm that specific records are on-site before making the trip — the center requires 24 hours' notice to retrieve files from off-site storage, and retrieved cases are only held for three days.
Judicial Records Center
5 Hill Street
Pawtucket, RI 02860-3913
Phone: (401) 721-2641
Are Court Records Public in Kent County?
The Rhode Island Access to Public Records Act (R.I. Gen. Laws 38-2) establishes a broad right of public access to government records, including those held by the courts. Anyone may inspect or copy court records without explaining why they want them.
That said, the Rhode Island Judiciary Rules of Practice Governing Public Access to Electronic Case Information carve out significant categories of records that remain confidential or sealed. The following types of records are not available through public access channels:
- Juvenile records
- Adoption records
- Mental health records
- Child custody records
- Termination of parental rights case records
- Expunged or sealed court records
- Records of acquitted or otherwise exonerated persons that have been sealed
- Identifying information about crime victims and confidential informants
- Victims' names in sexual assault cases
- The address of any person requesting a protective order
- Civil marijuana case records and civil violations for possession of one ounce or less of marijuana
- Cases initiated under the Insurance Rehabilitation and Liquidation Act
- Complaints for a civil protective order when a juvenile is a party
- Complaints for an order of protection from sexual abuse under the Sexual Assault Protective Orders Act when a juvenile is involved
- Complaints for an order of protection from domestic violence under the Domestic Abuse Prevention Act when a juvenile is a party
- Personal identifying information such as full Social Security numbers, taxpayer identification numbers, financial account numbers and statements, driver's license numbers, passport numbers, and state identification numbers
These restrictions apply to both electronic and physical access. Records impounded by court order also fall outside public access, regardless of case type.
Kent County Criminal Court Records
Criminal cases in Kent County are split between two courts based on the seriousness of the charges.
Jurisdiction
The Kent County Superior Court has original jurisdiction over felony proceedings. Serious felonies — violent crimes, drug trafficking, and other offenses that carry potential state prison sentences — are tried in Superior Court on the fourth floor of the Noel Judicial Complex. The Superior Court Clerk maintains all felony case files.
The District Court 3rd Division handles both felony and misdemeanor cases within its statutory jurisdiction. Misdemeanors, violations, and certain felonies within the District Court's authority are handled on the second floor of the same building.
Searching Criminal Case Records
Criminal dockets can be searched through the Rhode Island Judiciary Public Portal using a case number or party name. In-person searches at the clerk's office provide access via the courthouse terminal. Copies of criminal case documents can be obtained from the appropriate clerk's office for a fee.
Superior Court Copy Fees
| Service | Fee |
|---|---|
| Copies per page | $0.10 |
| Certified copies (each) | $3.00 |
| Exemplified copies (plus $3.00 each additional page) | $9.00 |
Criminal Background Checks
Statewide criminal history reports are separate from individual court case files. The Bureau of Criminal Identification (BCI) at the Rhode Island Attorney General's Office processes background checks from its Customer Service Center:
Attorney General's Customer Service Center
4 Howard Avenue
Cranston, RI 02920
Phone: (401) 274-4400
Hours: Monday–Friday, 8:30 a.m. to 4:30 p.m. (fingerprinting stops at 4:00 p.m.)
State background checks cost $5.00 and are name- and date-of-birth based, drawing on fingerprint-supported Rhode Island arrests resulting in convictions or pending prosecutions. National fingerprint-based background checks cost $45.00 and are available for statutorily authorized purposes, such as certain employment and licensing requirements.
You can also request a BCI check by mail. Send a signed and notarized release form, a copy of valid photo identification, a check or money order for $5.00 payable to BCI, and a self-addressed stamped envelope to the Attorney General's office at 4 Howard Avenue, Cranston, RI 02920. Allow 14 days for processing.
Criminal Record Dispositions from the Judicial Records Center
To obtain a copy or disposition of a criminal record from the JRC by mail, send the defendant's name, date of birth, date of arrest, town where the arrest occurred, the charge, a phone number, a business or certified check or money order for $3.00 per offense payable to the State of Rhode Island, and a self-addressed stamped envelope to the JRC at 5 Hill Street, Pawtucket, RI 02860-3913.
Kent County Civil Court Records
Civil disputes in Kent County are divided between the Superior Court and the District Court 3rd Division based on the amount of money at stake.
Jurisdictional Thresholds
The Kent County Superior Court has original jurisdiction over civil matters where the amount in controversy exceeds $10,000. It shares concurrent jurisdiction with the District Court for claims between $5,000 and $10,000. The District Court 3rd Division holds exclusive jurisdiction over all civil cases where the amount at issue falls below $5,000. Small claims are also filed in District Court.
Filing Fees
Civil filings in the Superior Court carry the following fees:
- Filing fee: $160.00
- Executions: $50.00
- Citations: $25.00
- Supreme Court appeals: $150.00
- Rejection of arbitration award (filed within 30 days of award date): $300.00
- Civil case processing fee (Tyler Technologies/e-filing): $17.50
- Technology surcharge: $3.25
- Credit card fee: 3.25% of the total transaction
No action, appeal, or proceeding is entered in the court records until the required fees are paid.
Searching Civil Records
Civil case records can be searched through the Public Portal by name or case number. Use the Advanced Filtering Options and select the appropriate court from the Filter by Location dropdown. At the courthouse, visitors may use the public terminal on the relevant floor or request copies at the clerk's counter.
For older civil judgments appearing on a credit report where the case number is unknown, the Judicial Records Center can often trace the case if you provide a copy of the credit report and your town of residence at the time of the lawsuit.
Self-Service Copies at the JRC
A self-service copy machine at the JRC costs $0.20 per page. Certified copies of court records from the JRC cost $3.00 per document. The JRC accepts credit/debit cards, cash, business or certified checks, and money orders — but not personal checks. Staff-assisted research carries a search fee of $15.00 per hour, with the first hour provided at no charge.
Kent County Family Court Records
The Kent County Family Court, located on the third floor of the Noel Judicial Complex, handles all matters involving families and children. The Domestic Relations Clerk's Office maintains all family case records.
Case Types
The Family Court handles divorce, legal separation, child support, child custody, child visitation, paternity, domestic abuse protective orders, adoption, termination of parental rights, and juvenile matters.
Office Hours and Contact
The Family Court Clerk's Office is open for in-person visits Monday through Friday, 8:30 a.m. to 4:00 p.m. You can reach the office at (401) 822-6725, or by fax at (401) 822-6730.
Obtaining Family Court Records
Non-confidential family court records can be obtained by visiting the clerk's office during business hours. The courthouse terminal on the third floor lets you search family case dockets electronically. Remote searches are available through the Public Portal, though most users can only view the register of actions remotely.
Many family court records carry confidentiality restrictions. Adoption records, child custody records, juvenile proceedings, and termination of parental rights cases are among the categories excluded from public access under the judiciary's Public Access Rules.
Divorce Records
Divorce case dockets can be searched through the Public Portal by name or case number. Copies of divorce records are available from the Family Court Clerk's Office at the Noel Judicial Complex. For archived divorce files, the JRC processes mail requests for certified copies of final judgment/divorce decrees for $25.00. Submit the court (county), case number, a phone number, a business or certified check or money order payable to the State of Rhode Island, and a self-addressed stamped envelope to the JRC at 5 Hill Street, Pawtucket, RI 02860-3913.
Marriage Certificates
Marriage records in Kent County are held by the city or town clerk that issued the marriage license. These records are confidential — access is limited to individuals with a direct interest, such as the record holders, parents, siblings, grandparents, children, and legal representatives. Fees are $22.00 for in-person requests, $25.00 by mail, and $18.00 for duplicate copies. For example, the West Greenwich Town Clerk issues certified copies upon completion of a request form during business hours (Monday–Friday, 8:30 a.m. to 4:00 p.m.). Mail applicants must submit a completed Application for Marriage Record, a copy of valid photo ID, payment by check, and a self-addressed stamped envelope. The Clerk does not issue photocopies of marriage records.
Birth and Death Records
Certified copies of birth and death certificates are available from the city or town clerk's office where the event occurred. Access is restricted to individuals with a direct and tangible interest — including the record subject, parents, guardians, siblings, authorized agents, attorneys conducting official duties, and persons with a court order. In-person copies cost $22.00; additional copies are $18.00 each. Mail requests cost $25.00 and must include a completed application, a photocopy of a driver's license, a check or money order, and a self-addressed stamped envelope. The Warwick City Clerk's Office, for instance, processes vital records requests Monday through Friday from 8:30 a.m. to 3:30 p.m.
Kent County Probate Court Records
Unlike the state-level courts consolidated at the Noel Judicial Complex, probate matters in Kent County are handled at the municipal level. Each city and town operates its own probate court, typically administered through the town or city clerk's office.
Probate Court Locations
| Court | Address | Phone |
|---|---|---|
| Warwick Probate Division | Warwick City Hall, 2nd Floor, 3275 Post Road, Warwick, RI 02886 | (401) 738-2006 |
| Coventry Probate Office | 1670 Flat River Road, Coventry, RI 02816 | (401) 822-9172 |
| East Greenwich Probate Court | 125 Main Street, East Greenwich, RI 02818 | (401) 886-8607 |
| West Warwick Probate Court | 1170 Main Street, West Warwick, RI 02893 | (401) 822-9200 |
| West Greenwich Probate Court | 280 Victory Highway, West Greenwich, RI 02817 | (401) 392-3800 |
Types of Probate Matters
Kent County probate courts handle the administration of decedents' estates, probate of wills, appointment of executors and administrators, guardianship of minors and incapacitated persons, conservatorships, trust matters filed with the court, and related filings.
Requesting Probate Records
Probate records must be requested from the clerk's office in the city or town where the case was filed. In-person requests require a name or case number so staff can locate the file. Contact the specific municipal probate court to confirm hours, accepted payment methods, and any applicable copy fees. Appeals from probate court decisions are heard in the Kent County Superior Court.
Probate Court Contact Emails
Several probate offices accept email inquiries, which can be a convenient way to confirm record availability before making the trip:
- Warwick Probate Division: probate.court@warwickri.com
- Coventry Probate Office: adriscoll@coventryri.gov
- East Greenwich Probate Court: breis@eastgreenwichri.com
- West Warwick Probate Court: mquattrucci@westwarwickri.org
For probate records that have been transferred to archival storage, contact the Judicial Records Center to determine whether the file is available. The JRC stores older court records from across Rhode Island and can facilitate access either on-site or through mail requests, following the procedures and fees described earlier in this guide.