R.I. Gen. Laws § 31-3-36: Replacement of lost or mutilated registration card or plates.

In the event any registration card or plate is lost, mutilated, or becomes illegible, the owner, legal representative, or successor in interest of the owner of the vehicle for which the registration card or plate was issued as shown by the records of the division of motor vehicles shall immediately apply for and may obtain a duplicate, substitute, or a new registration under a new registration number, as determined to be most advisable by the division of motor vehicles, upon the applicant furnishing information satisfactory to the division of motor vehicles.