Kent County Court Records Search

Kent County is one of five counties in Rhode Island, with Warwick serving as the primary judicial center. The county’s courts operate out of the Noel Judicial Complex on Quaker Lane in Warwick, where the Superior Court, Family Court, and District Court 3rd Division all maintain clerk offices across different floors of the same building. Probate matters, by contrast, are handled at the municipal level — each city and town within Kent County operates its own probate court through the local clerk’s office. Understanding this structure is essential for anyone trying to locate case records, whether they involve a felony prosecution, a civil lawsuit, a family dispute, or an estate proceeding.

Individuals searching for Rhode Island court records can access case information through several channels, including courthouse clerk offices, public-access computer terminals, and electronic databases maintained by the judiciary. The Rhode Island Judiciary Public Portal provides free remote access to docket sheets across multiple court departments. Official clerk offices at each courthouse also offer in-person terminal access during business hours. RhodeIslandCourts.us may further help users 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. The building 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 allows anyone to search docket information remotely at no charge. The portal displays a register of actions for each case, listing parties, events, document filings, and other activities in chronological order. To search:

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 maintains public computer terminals where visitors can view electronic case records during regular business hours. Access at these terminals includes all public electronic case information — a broader scope than what is available remotely. Sealed or confidential records cannot be viewed through public terminals.

Older Records

Pre-1900 court records and archived case files are stored at the Judicial Records Center (JRC) in Pawtucket. Researchers can visit the JRC or submit mail requests. Contact the JRC at (401) 721-2641 to confirm that specific records are on-site before visiting. The JRC requires 24 hours’ notice to retrieve files from off-site storage, and retrieved cases are held for three days only.

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 maintained by the courts. Members of the public may inspect or copy court records without providing a reason for the request.

However, 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 that have been impounded by court order also fall outside public access, regardless of case type.

Kent County Criminal Court Records

Criminal prosecutions in Kent County are handled by two courts depending on the severity of the charges.

Jurisdiction

The Kent County Superior Court holds original jurisdiction over felony proceedings. Felonies carrying potential state prison sentences — including violent crimes, drug trafficking, and other serious offenses — are tried in Superior Court on the fourth floor of the Noel Judicial Complex. The Clerk of the Superior Court maintains all felony case files.

The District Court 3rd Division hears both felony and misdemeanor cases within its statutory jurisdiction. Misdemeanor cases, violations, and certain felonies that fall 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 through 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 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 based on name and date of birth, reflecting 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.

BCI checks can also be requested by mail by sending 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, submit 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 in controversy.

Jurisdictional Thresholds

The Kent County Superior Court has original jurisdiction over civil matters where the amount in controversy exceeds $10,000. It also exercises concurrent jurisdiction with the District Court for civil 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 the researcher provides a copy of the credit report and the 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. The JRC search fee for staff-assisted research is $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, adjudicates all matters involving families and children. The Domestic Relations Clerk’s Office serves as custodian of 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 from 8:30 a.m. to 4:00 p.m., Monday through Friday. Contact the office at (401) 822-6725, with a fax line 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 allows electronic searches of family case dockets. Remote searches are available through the Public Portal, though only the register of actions is visible remotely for most users.

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 maintained 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 by the town or city clerk.

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 providing 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 inquiries by email, which can be useful for confirming record availability before visiting:

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, researchers should 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.