R.I. Gen. Laws § 15-7.2-3: Adoption records to be permanently maintained.

(a) All records of any adoption finalized in this state shall be permanently maintained by the department of children, youth, and families or by the agency arranging the adoption.

(b) If an agency which handles adoptions ceases to do business, the agency shall transfer the adoption records to the department of children, youth, and families or to a successor agency, provided that the agency gives notice of the transfer to the department of children, youth, and families.