R.I. Gen. Laws § 42-8-21

The secretary of state may photograph, micro-photograph, film, or otherwise reproduce all or any part of the records kept by the secretary in a manner and on film or paper that complies with the minimum standards of quality approved for reproducing records by the American National Standards Institute, and all these photographs, micro-photographs, films, or other reproductions shall be placed in conveniently accessible files and provisions made for examining and using them. The original records, from which such photographs, micro-photographs, non-erasable optical disks, films, or other reproductions have been made, or any part thereof, may be put in storage anywhere in this state for safe keeping, and any photograph, micro-photograph, optical disk or photocopy or other reproduction thereof shall be admissible as evidence, the same as the original is now; provided, that such copies meet the standards established pursuant to § 38-3-5.1.