The Recorder’s Office registers documents relating to land evidence (deeds, mortgages, liens, etc.) for the City of Providence. The Office maintains the paper and digital holdings of the City’s non-archived land evidence records. The City’s on-line database of land evidence documents is available from August 1, 2004, to the present. We provide accurate and courteous service to customers requiring land document assistance and recording as well as execute the state law to monitor foreclosure mediation compliance to protect the City’s homeowners.
RESEARCHING A DOCUMENT
- You can access the vault for title searches by booking a two hour slot with the Recorder’s Office. Call 680-5545 between 8:30am and 4pm Monday through Friday to make a reservation.
- Admission to City Hall is through the rear door of City Hall (handicap entrance). Upon arriving, ring the doorbell at Rm 506 at the time of your reservation for admittance.
- Room capacity may vary with COVID-19 restrictions, but you must wear a mask when working in the vault.
- Please structure your work so you can complete your research within the time slot you reserve.
Upcoming City Hall closings:
- Monday, January 17 for Martin Luther King’s Birthday
- Monday, February 21 for Presidents’ Day
- Monday, May 30 for Memorial Day
- Monday, June 20 for Juneteenth
- Monday, July 4 for Independence Day
- Monday , August 8 for Victory Day
Electronic Recording
Providence accepts electronic document recording (eRecording) through CSC and Simplifile. Due to staff furloughs, your document may be queued but not recorded until the following business day. For fees and set up, contact the provider.
Payment for Recording or Copies
- We accept checks and money orders only. We will accept currency (exact change) for up to two copies (in other words, $3.00)
Recorded maps and drawings
- Recorded maps and drawings are now available online through Town Fusion with all other recordings.
Non-resident Landlord filing
Non-resident landlords must comply with RIGL sections 34-18-22.3 (designation of agent) and 34-18-57 (absentee landlord enforcement act) by registering with the RI Secretary of State and filing information with this office.
In complying, we recommend recording the Secretary of State’s form with us and annotating on the form the absentee landlord’s phone number.
The Secretary of State’s form (“Designation of Agent for Non-resident Landlord” form 34-18-22) is available online here.
Changes to Deeds and Other Land Evidence Records
The Recorder’s Office is sometimes asked to assist in making a change to a deed. The office cannot write up new deeds or make changes to existing ones for any reason.
Land evidence records are legal documents concerning the valuable property interest of private individuals. For this reason we recommend using an attorney due to the importance of “getting it right.” The City cannot assume liability for any mistake or error committed in the drafting process.
While there are boilerplate documents online available to assist you to, for example, putting your property into a trust, or removing a name from a deed, we recommend that it is money well-spent to use an attorney with knowledge of this area.
Search Land Records Document Database Statewide Recording Fees Foreclosure Ordinance
