CITY CLERK Staff DIRECTORY
At the head of this department is the City Clerk who serves as ex-officio clerk of the Probate Court and the Recorder of Deeds. The City Clerk appoints a Clerk of Committees.
The City Clerk’s Office is responsible for providing a number of services to the public, including:
• Receiving and recording all land evidence records
• Issuing certified copies of vital statistics (birth, death, and marriage)
• Issuing marriage licenses
• Issuing dog licenses
• Issuing business licenses
In addition to receiving, recording, and issuing these documents, this department is responsible for the indexing, maintenance, and storage of records as required by law.
The City Clerk’s Office is open Monday through Friday, except legal holidays, from 8:30 a.m. 4:30 p.m. We close for lunch from 12:00pm to 1:00pm.
Land evidence recordings are accepted in-person, by mail, or through e-recording services provided by Simplifile and CSC. We record daily until 4 PM, except 12-1 PM while the Recording Clerk takes lunch. Recordings received by our office prior to 4:00 p.m. will be recorded on the same business day. E-recordings are processed in the order they are received from the vendor. If you need an expedited recording, we recommend you come to our office in person. Any recording submitted without the correct fee will be rejected and returned in the same manner it was received.
Marriage licenses are issued by appointment only. Please contact Matthew Goyette at (401) 780-3195 or mgoyette@cranstonri.gov to schedule an appointment. For additional information and requirements for obtaining a marriage license, please click the MARRIAGE LICENSES button to the right.
We encourage you to take advantage of our online resources such as searching land evidence records, ordering vital records, and searching Council records by using the buttons on this page.
All business license applications must be submitted through our online portal. Please click the BUSINESS LICENSES button to apply. If not listed, paper applications are still being accepted.
Currently, all fees paid to our office in person must be made in the form of cash, check, or money order. We do not have the ability to accept debit or credit cards at the counter. Cards may be used to pay for copies of vital records or business licensing fees when using the appropriate online portals.
Use our online portal to apply for vital records. Requests will be processed as time permits; in the order they are received. For information on other ways to obtain a vital record, please visit the Dept. of Health information page: https://health.ri.gov/vital-records or contact them at (401) 222-2812. Please note: all vital records for the use of foreign government must be issued by the state, not a city or town.
Business Licensing Portal
CHarter & Code of Ordinances
DEM - Hunting/Fishing Licenses
Dog Licenses
Marriage Licenses
Probate Court
Boards & Commissions
City Council Records, Ordinances and Resolutions: 1754 - 2022
Approved City Council Minutes: 2022 - Current
Approved Ordinances & Resolutions: 2000 - Current
Submit a Public Records Request Online
Access the Public Records Request Portal
**The Online Public Records Request Portal is the preferred method for submitting public records requests. To assist City staff in identifying responsive records, requesters are encouraged to provide a clear and detailed description of the records sought.
Printable APRA Request Form
Individuals who are unable to utilize the Online Public Records Request Portal may continue to submit requests using the City's printable APRA Request Form.
Download APRA Request Form (PDF)
Contact Information
Office of the City Solicitor
Christopher Millea, City Solicitor
Cranston City Hall
869 Park Ave.
Cranston, RI 02910
461-1000 ext. 3133
FAX # 780-3179
Important Information
- APRA provides access only to existing public records maintained by the City.
- The City is not required to create records, compile information, conduct research, or answer questions in response to a public records request.
- Certain records may be exempt from disclosure pursuant to state or federal law.
- Fees authorized by law for the search, retrieval, copying, certification, or production of records may apply.
- Requests will be processed in accordance with the timeframes established by Rhode Island law.
The City of Cranston remains committed to transparency, accountability, and public access to government records while safeguarding confidential information as required by law.
Accessibility Notice
The City of Cranston is committed to ensuring equitable access to public records. Individuals requiring reasonable accommodations or assistance in submitting a public records request are encouraged to contact the Law Department, which will make reasonable efforts to provide access in accordance with applicable law.