Family Court

The Domestic Relations Clerk's Office is charged with the processing of claims for and the maintenance of the records of the following types of matters:

• Divorce matters, including divorces from bed and board (commonly referred to as a legal separation);
• Matters involving the custody, support, and visitation of children born to parents who have never been married as well as those who are no longer married;
• Visitation rights of grandparents and siblings;
• Complaints for restraining orders alleging domestic abuse, sexual abuse, sexual exploitation, and all complaints for restraining orders when either party is a juvenile;
• The registration and enforcement of child custody orders issued by a state other than Rhode Island; and
• Adult criminal matters under the jurisdiction of the Family Court, including failure to send a child to school and contributing to the delinquency of a minor. 

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The offices are open from 8:30 a.m. to 4:00 p.m. on the days that the court is open to the public. (Time restraints prohibit the processing of complaints for restraining orders presented after 3:00 p.m.) ​​

The Family Court has jurisdiction over a limited number of adult criminal matters such as failure to send a child to school and contributing to the delinquency of a minor. These matters are processed through the Domestic Relations Office.​​