Kent County, Rhode Island Court Records
In Kent County, Rhode Island, court records are official documents that provide information on court activities and judicial decisions. Such records cover all events, from the initial filing of a complaint or indictment to the final judgment. Thus, legal researchers and attorneys may use the records as references in subsequent cases. The records are also important for ensuring transparency in the court system.
Kent County’s trial courts create court records in accordance with the Rhode Island Rules of Court. The law governs the filing of court documents and accessibility. Under the law, the clerk’s office of the respective court may keep and disclose court records in its custody to interested and legally eligible parties.
Note that Kent County court records may include related public documents that were filed or used during a court case. For example, public members may find vital records, bank statements, and medical reports in court records.
Are Kent County Court Records Public?
Kent County court records are mostly accessible to the public. The Rhode Island Rules of Court allow the public to inspect and obtain copies of court records generated by the county courts. In addition, the law requires record custodians to provide means for the public to obtain records.
The state law allows record custodians to redact or withhold certain court information from the public. Exempt court records may include information whose disclosure may violate the privacy or safety of concerned parties. Non-public court records may include the following information:
- Records relating to attorney-client relationships.
- Medical records and information that are protected by health care confidentiality laws.
- Personal identifying information about concerned parties, such as crime victims, witnesses, and law enforcement officers.
- Sealed court documents.
What Information is Available in Kent County Court Records?
Kent County court records may include the following information:
- The names of parties involved, including the plaintiffs, defendants, attorneys, and judicial officers.
- Personal information about the case parties.
- Filed court documents.
- Case identifiers, like case and docket numbers.
- Case transcript.
- Case summary.
- Court motions and orders.
- Exhibits or evidence filed in case proceedings.
- Court judgments or disposition.
Kent County court records may contain different information based on the case type and status. Active court cases may not include court motions, orders, or judgments. The case type also determines the content of a court record. For example, a bankruptcy court record may include financial statements and property deeds filed with the court. In contrast, criminal records may include evidence, motions, pleas, and sentencing.
Kent County Court Records Search
To search Kent County court records, inquirers may use any of the following methods:
Online Access: The Rhode Island Judiciary maintains an online search platform for all cases heard in Kent County’s courts. Persons or entities may view records on the platform by following these steps:
- The Smart Search (for locating court records)
- Smart Hearing (to search court hearings for a specific date range)
In-person Access: Record seekers may submit an in-person request for court records at the court that handled the case. The court may require relevant information about the case before releasing it to record seekers. Note that the court will only process record requests during official hours.
Mail and Phone Requests: As of February 2026, there are no instructions on mail-in requests for court records. Nevertheless, record seekers may directly contact the court and determine if they accept such requests. Mail-in requests typically include the following:
- A written request form that includes specifics about the case event: specifics may include case party names or numbers.
- A money order or check for the record
- A copy of a valid ID if the requested record contains confidential information.
In contrast, you may request records of judicial functions by mailing a completed form to the following address:
Ms. Alexandra Kriss
Office of Community Outreach and Public Relations
250 Benefit Street,
Providence, Rhode Island 02903
Phone: (401) 222-4580 Email: akriss@courts.ri.gov
Fees for Court Records in Kent County
Under Rhode Island Laws, Kent County’s courts may charge fees for reproducing copies of court documents. The court may charge $0.20 per page for copied documents and $1 per hour for searching requested documents. Nevertheless, you may contact the particular courthouse for recent fees.
Record seekers may contact the county courts or their clerk’s offices to determine if there are available fee waivers.
Kent County Courthouse Locations
In Kent County, the trial court system consists of the superior court, district courts, and municipal courts. The superior court has general jurisdiction over criminal, civil, and some probate cases. In contrast, the family court has sole jurisdiction over family-type cases. The municipal court oversees ordinance violations, while the probate court oversees probate-type cases.
Kent County Superior Court
Noel Judicial Complex
222 Quaker Lane,
Warwick, RI 02886
Phone: (401) 822-6900
Fax: (401) 822-6905
District Courts in Kent County
Third Division District Court
Noel Judicial Complex
222 Quaker Lane,
Warwick, RI 02886
Phone: (401) 822-6750
Fax: (401) 823-6755
Kent County Family Court
Noel Judicial Complex
222 Quaker Lane,
Warwick, RI 02886
Phone: (401) 822-6725
Fax: (401) 822-6730
Probate Courts in Kent County
Coventry Probate Court
1670 Flat River Road,
Coventry, RI 02816
Phone: (401) 822-9172
East Greenwich Probate Court
125 Main Street,
East Greenwich, RI 02818
Phone: (401) 886-8607
Warwick Probate Court
3275 Post Road,
Warwick, RI 02886
Phone: (401) 738-2000 (Ext. 6213)
West Greenwich Probate Court
280 Victory Highway,
West Greenwich, RI 02817
Phone: (401) 392-3800
Fax: (401) 392-3805
West Warwick Probate Court
1170 Main Street,
West Warwick, RI 02893
Phone: (401) 822-9201
Fax: (401) 822-9266
Municipal Courts in Kent County
Coventry Municipal Court
1670 Flat River Road,
Coventry, RI 02816
Phone: (401) 822-9187
East Greenwich Municipal Court
125 Main Street,
East Greenwich, RI 02818
Phone: (401) 886-3212
Warwick Municipal Court
3275 Post Road,
Warwick, RI 02886
Phone: (401) 738-2000 ext. 6213
West Warwick Municipal Court
1170 Main Street,
West Warwick, RI 02893
Phone: (401) 822-9201
Fax: (401) 822-9266
Criminal Records Access in Kent County
The Rhode Island Attorney General’s Office is the official custodian of criminal history records. Interested parties may conduct criminal history checks by making a request via mail or in person to the attorney’s office. For in-person requests, inquirers typically follow these steps:
- Visit the Attorney’s Office between 8:30 a.m. and 4:30 p.m. from Monday through Friday at this address:
4 Howard Avenue (corner of Pontiac Ave. and Howard Ave.),
Cranston, RI 02920
- Register to use the walk-in option via the QR code on the signage in the parking lot. Alternatively, you may register via text message to (401) 274-4400.
- At the customer service center in the attorney’s office, you typically pay a $5 fee along with a valid ID.
- The agency will take your print and require copy fees before producing copies of the record.
To request criminal history via mail, you may submit your request to:
Rhode Island Office of The Attorney General
4 Howard Avenue,
Cranston RI 02920
The request typically includes the following:
- A signed and notarized release form (if you are a third-party requester)
- Copy of a valid photo ID.
- A $5 money order or check payable to the BCI.
Alternatively, local criminal court records are available through the Rhode Island Judiciary search portal. Record seekers can also obtain the records by sending a request to the court that handled the case.
Kent County Probate Records
The Kent County Probate Courts oversee all probate-type cases, including the appointment of guardians or conservators, name changes, and the administration of wills, estates, and trusts. Thus, record seekers may direct requests for probate court records to the courthouse at this address:
1170 Main Street,
West Warwick, RI 02893
Phone: (401) 822-9201
Fax: (401) 822-9266
To obtain copies of court documents, record seekers may provide relevant information, such as the case party, case number, or case filing year. Note that the court may require specific fees to retrieve and produce copies of the requested record. In contrast, the Rhode Island Judiciary maintains an online search portal for probate cases heard in Kent County. Record seekers may search records on the portal by entering the case party name or number.
Kent County Family Court Records
The Kent County Family Court hears family-type cases, such as divorce, juvenile delinquency, and child custody. In addition, the court serves as the official record custodian and may disclose such records upon receiving requests from interested parties.
Record seekers may obtain copies of family court records by submitting a request in person to the courthouse at this address:
Noel Judicial Complex
222 Quaker Lane,
Warwick, RI 02886,
Phone: (401) 822-6725,
Fax: (401) 822-6730
To obtain a record, record seekers typically provide relevant search details and pay the required fees. Note that the court may request valid IDs before disclosing family court records that contain confidential information.
In contrast, you may get online copies of Kent County family court records through the Rhode Island Judiciary search portal. The portal allows name- or number-based searches for court records.
Federal Court Records in Kent County
The United States District Court for the District of Rhode Island has jurisdiction over federal cases in Kent County. Federal cases may include drug trafficking, civil rights violations, and bankruptcy. Record seekers may find federal court records by searching the Public Access to Court Electronic Records (PACER) platform. To search records on the platform, record seekers typically first create an account before providing relevant search data.
In contrast, record seekers can obtain physical copies of federal court records by submitting a request to the clerk of the federal court at:
One Exchange Terrace
Federal Building and Courthouse,
Providence, RI 02903,
Phone: (401) 752-7200