Newport County Court Records Search
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Newport County, located in southeastern Rhode Island, encompasses six municipalities — Newport, Middletown, Portsmouth, Jamestown, Little Compton, and Tiverton. Court records generated within the county span criminal, civil, family, and probate matters and are maintained by several distinct offices depending on the type of case. The Murray Judicial Complex in Newport serves as the primary courthouse for state-level proceedings, while each municipality operates its own probate court for estate and guardianship filings.
Residents and members of the public looking for court case information in Rhode Island can begin by consulting the clerk’s offices at the relevant court, visiting public access terminals at courthouses during business hours, or using electronic search tools maintained by the state judiciary. The Rhode Island Judiciary website hosts a public portal for locating docket information, and RhodeIslandCourts.us may also help users find publicly available case data across the state’s court system.
How to Look Up a Court Case in Newport County?
Newport County court cases can be searched through several channels depending on the court division and the type of record sought. The most direct electronic resource is the Rhode Island Judiciary Public Portal, which provides chronological registers of actions (docket sheets) listing parties, events, and filings for cases in the Superior, District, Family, and Workers’ Compensation Courts. Public access to this portal is available remotely to all users, though the level of document access differs based on user status.
Who can see what on the Public Portal:
- General public — May view the register of actions and docket sheet remotely. Sealed or confidential records are excluded.
- Self-represented litigants and parties — Same remote access as the general public for the docket sheet; they may view all documents for their own cases.
- Rhode Island–admitted attorneys — After entering an appearance in a case, attorneys may view all documents for that case remotely. For other cases, they have the same access as the public. Attorneys must email HelpDesk@courts.ri.gov with a signed Data Subscription Agreement to obtain login credentials.
- Authorized government agencies — Must also submit the signed agreement and receive Supreme Court approval before gaining access.
In-person terminal access: Public computer terminals are available in the clerk’s offices at the Superior, District, and Family Courts inside the Murray Judicial Complex during regular business hours. These terminals display the same public case information found online, minus sealed or confidential filings.
Searching by mail or in person at a clerk’s office: Individuals may also submit a written request to the clerk of the appropriate court. Requests should include the case number or the full names of the parties involved. The name of the defendant or plaintiff is typically the most effective search parameter.
Key courthouse contact information:
| Court | Phone | Fax |
|---|---|---|
| Superior Court (Newport County) | (401) 841-8330 | (401) 846-1673 |
| Second Division District Court | (401) 841-8350 | (401) 841-8394 |
| Family Court (Newport County) | (401) 841-8340 | (401) 848-5185 |
All three courts are located at:
Florence K. Murray Judicial Complex
45 Washington Square
Newport, RI 02840
The Superior Court Clerk’s Office also has a TTY phone at (401) 841-8331. All voice lines can be reached via Rhode Island Relay by dialing 7-1-1. ADA accommodation requests should be submitted at least 48 hours before a proceeding by contacting ADA@courts.ri.gov or calling (401) 615-2469.
For historical court documents that may no longer be held locally, researchers can contact the Rhode Island State Archives or the Rhode Island Judicial Records Center at (401) 721-2640, located at 5 Hill Street, Pawtucket, RI 02860.
Are Court Records Public in Newport County?
Rhode Island law establishes a strong presumption that government records, including court records, are open to the public. The state’s Access to Public Records Act (APRA), codified at Title 38, Chapter 2, Section 2(a) of the Rhode Island General Laws, grants any person the right to inspect and copy public records maintained by a government agency or court.
However, several categories of court records are restricted or entirely closed to public inspection. Rhode Island courts and statutes recognize the following exemptions:
- Juvenile proceedings — Records involving minors in delinquency or dependency matters are confidential.
- Adoption records — Sealed by statute and accessible only through court order or specific statutory provisions.
- Sealed and expunged records — Criminal records that have been sealed or expunged by court order are removed from public access.
- Family Court records — Certain filings in domestic matters carry confidentiality protections, particularly those involving abuse, neglect, and child welfare.
- Grand jury proceedings — Materials related to grand jury deliberations remain secret unless disclosed by court order.
- Mental health records — Protected under both state and federal privacy laws.
- Trade secrets and proprietary business information — Exempt when filed under seal.
- Victim-identifying information — Names and details that could identify victims of certain crimes may be redacted.
- Active law enforcement investigations — Records related to ongoing investigations may be withheld.
- Personal identifying information — Social Security numbers, financial account numbers, and similar personal data are typically redacted from publicly available documents.
The Rhode Island Supreme Court has also adopted Public Access Rules that govern which electronic case information may be viewed by the public, attorneys, parties, and government agencies through the judiciary’s online portal. These rules supplement the APRA and provide specific guidance on what is displayed remotely versus at courthouse terminals.
Requests for records under the APRA can be made orally or in writing to the clerk of the relevant court. Clerks may require a written request for complex or voluminous records.
Newport County Criminal Court Records
Criminal cases in Newport County are heard in either the Superior Court or the Second Division District Court, depending on the severity of the charge. The Superior Court handles felony matters, while the District Court adjudicates misdemeanors and preliminary hearings. Municipal courts in Newport, Middletown, and Tiverton handle local ordinance violations and certain traffic matters.
Where to request criminal court records:
Criminal case files, docket sheets, and disposition records can be obtained from the clerk’s office of the court where the case was heard. For Superior Court criminal filings, contact the Newport County Superior Court Clerk at (401) 841-8330. For District Court criminal matters, call the Second Division District Court Clerk at (401) 841-8350.
Statewide criminal history checks:
Individual criminal background searches are not conducted through the local clerk’s office. Rhode Island criminal history records are maintained by the state police. The Rhode Island State Police handles formal background check requests. The Bureau of Criminal Identification (BCI) processes fingerprint-based criminal records checks for employment, licensing, and personal review purposes.
Newport Police Department records:
Arrest reports and incident reports generated by Newport city police can be requested through the Newport Police Department, which maintains its own records division.
Newport Police Department
120 Broadway
Newport, RI 02840
Phone: (401) 847-1306
The city also provides an online Access to Public Records form for submitting APRA requests for police records.
Municipal courts handling criminal or quasi-criminal matters:
| Court | Address | Phone |
|---|---|---|
| Newport Municipal Court | 15 Washington Square, Newport, RI 02840 | (401) 845-8350 |
| Middletown Municipal Court | 350 East Main Road, 1st Floor, Middletown, RI 02842 | (401) 847-5549 |
| Tiverton Municipal Court | 34 Roosevelt Avenue (Tiverton Public Library), Tiverton, RI 02878 | Ext. 3 |
The Middletown Municipal Court and Tiverton Municipal Court each maintain their own dockets and can be contacted directly for records of local proceedings.
Records that have been sealed or expunged pursuant to a court order will not appear in public searches or be disclosed by clerk’s offices. Juvenile criminal records are confidential under Rhode Island law.
Newport County Civil Court Records
Civil litigation in Newport County — including contract disputes, personal injury claims, real property matters, and small claims — is primarily filed in the Superior Court or the District Court, depending on the amount in controversy. The Superior Court handles cases involving larger monetary claims, while the District Court has jurisdiction over smaller civil disputes and landlord-tenant matters.
How to search civil records:
The Rhode Island Judiciary Public Portal allows remote searches of civil docket sheets. Users can look up cases by party name or case number. For more detailed records or certified copies, contact the Newport County Superior Court Clerk at (401) 841-8330 or visit the Murray Judicial Complex at 45 Washington Square, Newport.
Property and land records:
Real property records in Newport County are maintained by each municipality’s recorder or city clerk rather than by the courts. Newport city land records, including deeds, mortgages, liens, and plats, can be searched electronically through the Newport Recorded Land Records portal. Statewide land and tax data can also be accessed through the Rhode Island Land Records page.
Filing and copy fees:
Fees for civil case copies and certifications vary by court. Requestors should contact the clerk’s office for current fee information before submitting a request. Certified copies typically cost more than plain copies. Requests can be made in person, by mail, or by phone to the relevant clerk.
E-filing and electronic services:
Rhode Island courts offer electronic filing and other e-Services for attorneys and self-represented litigants. These tools allow parties to file documents, pay fees, and track case progress electronically.
Newport County Family Court Records
The Rhode Island Family Court has jurisdiction over divorce, child custody, child support, domestic violence, juvenile delinquency, and certain adoption and guardianship matters. Newport County family cases are heard at the Murray Judicial Complex.
Newport County Family Court
45 Washington Square
Newport, RI 02840
Phone: (401) 841-8340
Fax: (401) 848-5185
The Family Court clerk’s office can provide information on pending and closed cases. Family Court records are subject to heightened confidentiality protections, particularly those involving minors, abuse and neglect proceedings, and domestic violence protective orders. Sealed family court files are not accessible to the public.
Divorce records:
Divorce decrees and related filings are maintained by the Family Court Clerk in the county where the divorce was granted. In Newport County, requests for certified copies of divorce judgments can be directed to the clerk at (401) 841-8340. For older records or cases from other counties, contact the Rhode Island Judicial Records Center at (401) 721-2640 in Pawtucket.
Divorce records are considered public but with limitations. Parties to the divorce and their attorneys may obtain copies with valid identification. Non-parties must typically provide a notarized statement explaining their interest or obtain a court order.
Marriage records:
Marriage licenses in Rhode Island are issued and maintained by the town or city clerk where the license was filed, not by the courts. To obtain a copy, contact the clerk’s office of the relevant municipality. The Rhode Island Department of Health also accepts applications for vital records. A marriage record request application can be downloaded from the Department of Health marriage records page and mailed to:
Rhode Island Department of Health, Vital Records
Simpson Hall, 6 Harrington Road
Cranston, RI 02920
Birth and death records:
Birth records in Rhode Island are confidential and do not become public for 100 years. Death records are confidential for 50 years. Only eligible applicants — such as the registrant, a parent, legal guardian, or someone with a documented legal interest — may obtain certified copies.
Fee schedules for vital records obtained through the Department of Health are as follows:
| Record Type | Online/Phone | In-Person | By Mail (First Copy) | Additional Copies |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Birth Certificate | $35 | $22 | $25 | $18 each |
| Death Certificate | $25 (first copy) + $5 processing | — | $25 | $18 each |
Applications can be downloaded for birth records and death records directly from the Department of Health website.
Newport County Probate Court Records
Probate matters in Rhode Island are handled at the municipal level. Each city and town in Newport County operates its own probate court, which has jurisdiction over the estates of decedents who were residents of that municipality, as well as guardianships, conservatorships, adoptions of adults, and name changes.
Newport County probate court locations:
| Municipality | Address | Phone |
|---|---|---|
| Newport Probate Court | 43 Broadway, Newport, RI 02840 | (401) 845-5349 |
| Middletown Probate Court | 350 East Main Road, Middletown, RI 02842 | (401) 847-6500 |
| Portsmouth Probate Court | 2200 East Main Road, Portsmouth, RI 02871 | (401) 683-2101 |
| Jamestown Probate Court | 93 Narragansett Avenue, Jamestown, RI 02835 | (401) 423-7282 |
| Little Compton Probate Court | 55 West Main Road (P.O. Box 226), Little Compton, RI 02837 | (401) 635-8800 |
| Tiverton Probate Court | 343 Highland Road, Tiverton, RI 02878 | (401) 625-6703 |
The Newport Probate Court holds hearings twice monthly at 10:30 a.m. in the Second Floor City Council Chambers at Newport City Hall. The presiding judge is Gregory F. Fater, Esq. The Deputy City Clerk serving as the probate court contact is Carlos Alaan, reachable at (401) 845-5349 or calaan@newportri.gov.
Probate forms and fees:
Standard Rhode Island probate forms — including petitions for probate, letters of administration, and guardianship applications — are available through the Rhode Island Secretary of State’s probate forms page. The current Newport Probate Court fee schedule is published on the city’s website.
The 2026 hearing schedule and the court’s Policies and Procedures document are also available for download. Advertising deadlines and scheduling questions should be directed to Carlos Alaan at the number listed above.
How to request probate records:
Probate case files, including wills, estate inventories, guardianship petitions, and accounting records, are maintained by the probate court clerk in each municipality. To request copies, contact the clerk of the probate court where the matter was filed. Provide the name of the decedent or ward, the case number if known, and the approximate filing date. The probate court clerk may not provide legal advice or assist with the preparation of forms.
Probate courts in the other Newport County municipalities — Middletown, Portsmouth, Jamestown, and Tiverton — each maintain their own records and hearing schedules and should be contacted individually for filings within their jurisdictions.