R.I. Fam. Ct. R. Dom. Rel. P. 44

(a) Authentication of Copy. An official record

or an entry therein, when admissible for any purpose, may be evidenced by an

official publication thereof or by a copy attested by the officer having the legal

custody of the record, or by the officer's deputy. If the office in which the record is

kept is outside of this state but within the United States or within a territory or insular

possession subject to the dominion of the United States, a certificate that such officer

has the custody of the record shall be made by a judge of a court of record of the

district or political subdivision in which the record is kept, authenticated by the seal

of the court, or may be made by any public officer having official duties in the district

or political subdivision in which the record is kept, authenticated by the seal of his

or her office. If the office in which the record is kept is in a foreign state or country,

such certificate may be made by a secretary of embassy or legation, consul general,

consul, vice consul, or consular agent or by any officer in the foreign service of the

United States stationed in the foreign state or country in which the record is kept,

and authenticated by the seal of his or her office.

(b) Proof of Lack of Record. A written statement signed by an officer having

the custody of an official record or by the officer's deputy that after diligent search

no record or an exact copy of a record is found to exist in the records of that office

is admissible as evidence that the records of that office contain no such record or

entry, provided that if the record is kept without the state, the statement shall be

accompanied by a certificate as required by subdivision (a) of this rule.

(c) Other Proof. This rule does not prevent the proof of official records or of

entry or lack of entry therein by any method authorized by any applicable statute or

by any other method authorized by law.