How to Become a Notary Public in Rhode Island

There is an $80 fee to apply for a Notary Public commission, payable to the RI Department of State by check or money order.

Supply package prices vary among vendors. New Notaries may need more how-to assistance than experienced Notaries. Books, training and live expert assistance are often must-haves for most new Notaries.

Some vendors may package items with additional fees — processing fees for example. Training can be included in package prices for new Notaries, although the quality of education can vary. Some providers offer their own Notary courses while others do not have the on-staff expertise to develop and support educational content. Several vendors offer Notaries live question and answer support, and others are not able to offer such assistance.

Once the Rhode Island Secretary of State's office receives your application, it is processed within three to five business days.

The term of a Rhode Island Notary Public commission is four years.

A Notary Public applicant in Rhode Island must meet the following requirements:

• Be at least 18 years old
• Be a citizen or permanent legal resident of the U.S.
• Be a Rhode Island resident or have a place of employment or practice within the state*
• Be able to read and write in English
• Demonstrate sufficient knowledge of Notary Public powers and duties
• Not be disqualified for a commission under RIGL 42-30.1-16

*If you are an attorney in good standing with the RI Bar Association, or a CPA in good standing with the RI Board of Accountancy, you are exempt from the residency requirement.

Rhode Island does not require a training course for Notaries. However, the state offers free optional Notary Public Training courses.

You should also review the Secretary of State’s Notary Public Manual, RIGL Chapter 42-30.1 and the updated Standards of Conduct.

There is no state-proctored exam required in Rhode Island, but applicants are encouraged to take the Notary Knowledge Assessment and achieve a score of at least 80% prior to completing the Notary Public application.

Rhode Island Notaries must use a rubber stamp ink seal or an embosser for notarial acts for paper documents. If an embossed seal is used it must be inked. The seal must be capable of being copied together with the record to which it is affixed or attached and include the following information inside a border:

• Your name exactly as it appears on your commission
• The words "Notary Public" and “Rhode Island”

When shopping for seal stamps, quality and durability can vary greatly among vendors. Stamps should not bleed during or after use, as this can cause county officials to reject documents due to smudging. A second seal can help you avoid downtime if your seal is ever misplaced, and an embosser can help add an additional layer of fraud prevention security.

Though not mandatory, Rhode Island officials strongly recommend keeping a permanently bound journal record of their notarial acts. If you use a journal, you should retain it for at least seven years.

Supplies are sold by most vendors in packages, which can sometimes provide savings. However, not all vendor packages are created equal — they can vary greatly in terms of quality and content. If you are a new Notary or renewing your commission, the types and quantity of notarizations can require different tools of the trade.

The state of Rhode Island does not require Notaries to obtain a surety bond to protect document signers against financial losses. However, Notaries can insure themselves against possible legal costs or damages by purchasing a separate, optional errors and omissions (E&O) insurance policy. Though not required by law, an E&O policy covers a Notary's legal fees and damages up to the amount of the policy.

The Rhode Island Office of Secretary of State, Division of Business Services, located in Providence, RI, issues Notary Public commissions.

Only if you are a permanent legal resident or an attorney who is a member of the Rhode Island Bar in good standing.

A Rhode Island Notary can perform notarial acts anywhere within the state's borders.

Any member of the public, as long as the request meets all statutory requirements for notarization. You may not notarize your own signature nor any documents in which you are named. You're also prohibited from notarizing for a spouse, domestic partner, parent, guardian, child or sibling, including in-laws, step relatives or half relatives.

Rhode Island Notaries may not charge more than $25 per notarization. If you charge any fees, it must be displayed in your place of business or upon request. The NNA offers a Rhode Island Fee Schedule that can easily help you meet that requirement.

If you change your address or name, you must notify the Secretary of State within 10 days of the change by completing a Notary Public Information Update form. To ensure you receive your renewal notice on time, mail the completed form to the SOS at least two months before your commission expires.

For name changes, you must get your form notarized before sending it to the SOS. The Secretary will send you a revised commission with your new name. There is no fee to change your address or name.

Two months before your commission expires, you'll receive a courtesy renewal notice from the Secretary of State. Complete the renewal application and return it to the Secretary's office before the commission expiration date to maintain your original expiration day and month. Turning in your application past your original date will result in a new commission expiration date.

Once your renewal application is processed, you'll receive your new commission certificate for a four-year term in the mail. Renewal applications submitted earlier than two months prior to your commission expiration date will not be processed.

Electronic notarizations are in-person notarizations that involve digital documents and electronic signatures instead of paper documents and wet, ink signatures. To become an RI electronic Notary, you must either hold an existing commission as a traditional Notary Public or be applying for one at the same time. Then, choose a technology you intend to use for electronic notarizations from the state's list of approved vendors. Complete the New Notary Application, Renewal Application or the Notary Information Update form if you're in the middle of your commission term. Mail or bring your application along with a copy of your electronic signature and electronic seal to the RI Department of State. The Department will email you an approval letter to perform eNotarizations.

As of June 30, 2022, Rhode Island Notaries can register to perform remote online notarizations (RON). To learn more about Rhode Island remote online notarization, visit the Secretary of State website.

If you're not quite ready yet, we have additional resources where you can learn what a Notary is, what they do and why you should become a commissioned Notary.