Rhode Island is the smallest state in the county, with only 1,214 square miles. The first speeding ticket was issued in Newport on August 28, 1904. The first open golf tournament took place in Rhode Island in 1895, and the first circus was in Newport, RI, in 1774. The state has no counties but is comprised of 39 municipalities with their own local government. More than 1.094 million people call the tiny state of Rhode Island home. There are 469,157 homes in Rhode Island, meaning the state creates thousands of property records yearly.

Rhode Island property records are an essential facet of the local government and important for homeowners and the local real estate market. They are created by realtors, attorneys, title companies, government agencies, private companies, and individuals.

Property records in Rhode Island are official documents containing information about real property and its owners. Together, these documents tell the entire story of the property, starting with the first owner and continuing until the present.

Sources of Property Records in Rhode Island

Like most states, Rhode Island does not keep all its property records in one place. They are scattered among many different entities and locations. Unlike most states, though, Rhode Island is not split into counties. Instead, it's made up of 39 municipalities, each with its own local government.

If you need to file a new deed, contact the city or town recorder of deeds and follow their requirements. If you live in Providence, you can use their website to get all the details.

Each municipality's tax collector assesses real property and collects property taxes. They are also responsible for imposing municipal liens against property owners. Warwick Rhode Island, provides information on its tax system.

Instead of being managed by the local government, the State of Rhode Island State Building Office handles building permits at the state level. If you want to build a new house, renovate your existing one, or demolish a building, you must get a building permit first.

Each town/city in Rhode Island has a town clerk and recorder of deeds. The role of the town clerk is to receive and record all land evidence records, vital statistics, voter registration, manage elections, handle business licenses, and issue copies of public records and vital records upon request.

How Property Records are Maintained in Rhode Island

The town clerk in each city must maintain, index, and store all public records according to state law. They each have a system for doing this. One thing that remains consistent among all offices is that when a new record comes in, they stamp it with the date, time, and a unique identifier. The record then becomes a public record.

Accessing Records at the Town Clerk/Recorder of Deeds in Rhode Island

Part of the town clerk's responsibility is to provide public records to anyone who requests them. You can visit any town clerk's office during regular business hours and request records. The office will charge you a nominal fee if you need certified copies. When looking for records, it's crucial to find the right office. Here are a few town clerk's offices in Rhode Island to get you started.

Town Clerk/Recorder of Deeds Locations in Rhode Island

To make things easier, use Rhode Island's list of all towns/cities and their respective websites to find what you need.

You will find dozens of different types of property records when you search for them. Some are more detailed, and others are not. It's best to collect as many as possible so you can find out everything you need to know. The most common records you will find in Rhode Island include:

Although property records are spread out in Rhode Island, you have many options available to you when searching. Try the methods below to see what works best for you.

Online Property Record Search

First, try an online property history search to see what you find. Type the complete property address into a search bar and review the results. Chances are you will have to take things further and dig deeper to find what you need.

In-Person Property Record Search

Visit any local municipality town clerk's office and ask for records. You must provide them with the name or property address, and if you want copies, you must pay a small fee.

Using Property Record Indexes

The internet is dotted with property record indexes from realty companies and third-party entities. You can try these to find property records, but be careful. These sites are not always updated or contain accurate information.

How to Search Property Records by Address

It's always best to search using the full property address, including city, state, and zip. Type it into a search bar and see what appears.

How to Search Property Records by Name

You can sometimes search by the property owner's name, but this is not the most efficient method. Many people share the same name, so you could get inaccurate results.

Owning property in the tiny state of Rhode Island has advantages. However, there are also responsibilities, such as paying your mortgage, taxes, and insurance on time. You must also maintain the property to retain its value. Your name and address will appear in public records when you own property.

Every Rhode Island property has its own legal description. These descriptions include map coordinates showing exactly where it is located and a detailed description listing natural landmarks and other items to make it easy to find.

Boundary Disputes and Resolutions

Boundary disputes erupt when one person thinks another is trespassing on their land and overstepping boundaries. These sometimes end up in court, where a judge must decide who owns what. They use professional surveyors to measure the land and determine where the boundaries are.

Encumbrances like liens appear in public property records and can damage a property and its owners. Too many liens indicate a serious financial problem and can damage the owner's financial reputation, making it impossible for them to obtain funding. Liens can lead to the loss of your home. There are two main types of liens: voluntary and involuntary.

Voluntary Liens

You have control over voluntary liens. Whenever you use your house as collateral for a loan, you allow the lender to place a lien on the property until the loan is paid off. Even though you choose voluntary liens, they can still lead to foreclosure and the loss of your home.

Involuntary Liens

You do not have any control over involuntary liens. These are imposed against your will when you fail to pay a debt. Involuntary liens are very serious and almost always lead to foreclosure and the loss of the home.

The Process of Property Liens in Rhode Island

Putting a lien on a property depends on the type of lien. The following is a breakdown of the mechanic's lien process in Rhode Island:

Property records play an important role in real estate deals. Before the sale, the buyer, realtor, title company, and others use property records to gather information. During the sale, more records will be created, such as an appraisal, insurance binder, and new deed. These records will replace older ones.

Buying Property: Due Diligence

Before buying a property, you should always research it as much as possible to learn all the details. You can do this through property records and then make a confident decision going forward.

Selling Property: Providing Disclosure

When selling property in Rhode Island, the owner must disclose any material defects and their knowledge of water supply, heating/AC systems, and sewage disposal systems. This way, the buyer goes into it with eyes wide open.

Title Searches and Insurance

If you borrow money to buy a house, your lender will require that you purchase title insurance. This policy protects them and you from any legal claims on the property after the sale. Before closing, your title company or attorney will perform a property title search to look for any issues.

Foreclosure and Property Records in Rhode Island

Foreclosures appear in public property records. Although foreclosure homes may be listed below fair market value, they can be a headache to sell, so many buyers may shy away from these properties. Investors, however, look for these kinds of deals.

Pre-Foreclosures in Rhode Island

Pre-foreclosures are homes that have yet to be sold at auction. There is still time to redeem the property. Investors often seek out these properties and offer the owner a deal far less than market value. The investor makes a profit while the homeowner gets out of debt and avoids foreclosure.

When was the House Built?

If you want to know when a specific house was built, you can easily find out by contacting the town/city clerk's office and asking to see the first building permit. That will tell you who built the house and when.

Property values are essential information for real estate buyers and sellers. You can find these values in many property records like appraisals, mortgages, insurance, and more. The median home price in Rhode Island is $465,459. The economy and local real estate market fluctuations can change property values rapidly.

Assessments and Appraisals

Professionals use assessments and appraisals to derive the proper value of a piece of real property. Local town tax officials use assessments to value property to set tax rates. Everyone must pay their fair share.

Appraisers use appraisals to form an opinion of a property's value for mortgages and estate planning. They aim to arrive at the fair market value (FMV), which is what the house would sell for in the current market.

There is no such thing as privacy in public property records. When records are public, anyone can view them and get copies. If you own property, your name, address, and other information will appear in property records.

Accessing Public Property Records

Anyone can access public property records online or in person at the local town clerk's office. The cities make it easy by offering some of the records online, but you can also purchase certified copies.

Why are Property Records Public?

Property records are public for two main reasons. First, they preserve the public chain of title, showing every owner who has ever owned the property. Second, they prevent any one government office from having too much power over the people. It's about transparency.

How Do I Protect My Personal Information in Property Records?

You cannot remove all your information from public property records. However, to shield yourself from identity theft and fraud, you can ask the offices that hold your records to remove anything beyond your name and address. You don't need your email address or phone number out there.

Maintaining your property records is essential. It's your responsibility to initiate updates when things change in your life. The office that holds your records will not update them automatically.