Rhode Island (RI)
Automated Lookup
Operational
Research Rhode Island notary commissions. NotaVeri can automatically cross-reference Rhode Island notary details against the official state database.
Visit Rhode Island Official Notary Database
How to Research a Rhode Island Notary
1. Go to https://business.sos.ri.gov/PublicNotarySearch/Home
2. Click "Search Using Part of Name" or "Search Using Commission Number".
3. Enter the notary's name or Notary ID number.
4. Click Search and review the results.
5. Verify the Notary ID, designation (Notary or JP), expiration date, and city.
Contact: Rhode Island Department of State -- (401) 222-3040 or notary@sos.ri.gov
2. Click "Search Using Part of Name" or "Search Using Commission Number".
3. Enter the notary's name or Notary ID number.
4. Click Search and review the results.
5. Verify the Notary ID, designation (Notary or JP), expiration date, and city.
Contact: Rhode Island Department of State -- (401) 222-3040 or notary@sos.ri.gov
How to Verify a Rhode Island Notary's Signature
Rhode Island notaries file their commission with the Department of State. The Secretary of State maintains notary commission records.
To verify a notary's signature:
1. Search for the notary at https://business.sos.ri.gov/PublicNotarySearch/Home to confirm active commission status.
2. Contact the Department of State at (401) 222-3040 or notary@sos.ri.gov to request additional verification.
3. You may request a Valid Notary Certificate from the Department of State.
Reference: RIGL 42-30.1
To verify a notary's signature:
1. Search for the notary at https://business.sos.ri.gov/PublicNotarySearch/Home to confirm active commission status.
2. Contact the Department of State at (401) 222-3040 or notary@sos.ri.gov to request additional verification.
3. You may request a Valid Notary Certificate from the Department of State.
Reference: RIGL 42-30.1
Verifying Older Rhode Island Documents
The Rhode Island notary search may include both active and expired commissions.
1. Search at https://business.sos.ri.gov/PublicNotarySearch/Home -- expired commission data may still appear in results.
2. Note: search results may not reflect a notary's complete history.
3. If not found online, contact the Department of State at (401) 222-3040 for historical commission records.
Commission term: 4 years.
1. Search at https://business.sos.ri.gov/PublicNotarySearch/Home -- expired commission data may still appear in results.
2. Note: search results may not reflect a notary's complete history.
3. If not found online, contact the Department of State at (401) 222-3040 for historical commission records.
Commission term: 4 years.
Rhode Island Notary Stamp/Seal Requirements
Rhode Island requires all notaries to use an inked notary stamp on notarized documents.
Seal requirements (RIGL 42-30.1):
- Type: Inked stamp required (self-inking or capable of being inked with dark-color ink)
- An embosser may also be used if it meets all stamp requirements; if an embosser is used, a pre-inked seal highlighter must also be used to render the impression visible when photocopied
- Must include: the notary's name, the words "Notary Public", and the jurisdiction (Rhode Island)
- Must be capable of being copied together with the record to which it is affixed
- Rhode Island notaries have statewide jurisdiction
Seal requirements (RIGL 42-30.1):
- Type: Inked stamp required (self-inking or capable of being inked with dark-color ink)
- An embosser may also be used if it meets all stamp requirements; if an embosser is used, a pre-inked seal highlighter must also be used to render the impression visible when photocopied
- Must include: the notary's name, the words "Notary Public", and the jurisdiction (Rhode Island)
- Must be capable of being copied together with the record to which it is affixed
- Rhode Island notaries have statewide jurisdiction
Contacting a Rhode Island Notary
The following is for general informational purposes only and does not constitute legal advice.
We make no warranty regarding its accuracy or completeness.
Consult a qualified attorney before taking action.
Rhode Island — Contacting the Notary for Verification
Rhode Island does not require notaries public to maintain a journal of their notarial acts. However, the Rhode Island Department of State and the Standards of Conduct for Notaries Public strongly recommend that all notarial acts be recorded in a notary journal for the notary's protection (R.I.G.L. 42-30.1).
Journal requirements:
- Not legally mandated: Rhode Island law does not require notaries to keep a journal.
- Strong recommendation: The Department of State strongly suggests maintaining a journal as best practice.
- Recommended format: If maintained voluntarily, the journal should be a bound record book with pre-printed numbered pages, or in electronic format with tamper-evident safeguards.
- Recommended entries: Date/time, type of notarial act, document description, signer's name and address, identification details, signer's signature in the journal, fee charged, and any unusual circumstances.
- Recommended retention: The Department of State advises retaining journals for seven (7) years after the last entry.
Accessing notary records:
- Because journals are not legally required, most Rhode Island notaries do not maintain them.
- If a notary has voluntarily maintained a journal, access would require the notary's consent or a court order/subpoena duces tecum.
- Court process: A party seeking notary records may petition the court for a subpoena to compel production.
Standards of Conduct:
- Rhode Island notaries are governed by R.I.G.L. 42-30.1 and the Standards of Conduct for Notaries Public.
- A notary who practices fraud or deceit in the exercise of their powers may be guilty of a misdemeanor and fined up to $1,000 or imprisoned.
- If a journal is maintained, notaries should not record Social Security numbers or credit card numbers.
Key considerations:
- The lack of a journal requirement means that many Rhode Island notaries have no written records of their notarial acts.
- When a commission expires, there is no statutory requirement to transmit records to any public office.
- The notary database maintained by the Rhode Island Secretary of State allows verification of a notary's current commission status.
Contact:
- Rhode Island Secretary of State, Business Services Division/Notary Section — (401) 222-3040
- Email: notaries@sos.ri.gov
- Website: sos.ri.gov/Divisions/NotaryPublic
- Address: 148 W. River Street, Providence, RI 02904-2615
Relevant statutes: R.I.G.L. Title 42, Chapter 30.1; Standards of Conduct for Notaries Public in the State of Rhode Island and Providence Plantations
This information is provided for general reference only, does not constitute legal advice, and may not reflect current law. Laws and procedures change frequently. We make no warranty regarding accuracy or completeness. Consult a qualified attorney in the relevant jurisdiction before taking action.
Rhode Island does not require notaries public to maintain a journal of their notarial acts. However, the Rhode Island Department of State and the Standards of Conduct for Notaries Public strongly recommend that all notarial acts be recorded in a notary journal for the notary's protection (R.I.G.L. 42-30.1).
Journal requirements:
- Not legally mandated: Rhode Island law does not require notaries to keep a journal.
- Strong recommendation: The Department of State strongly suggests maintaining a journal as best practice.
- Recommended format: If maintained voluntarily, the journal should be a bound record book with pre-printed numbered pages, or in electronic format with tamper-evident safeguards.
- Recommended entries: Date/time, type of notarial act, document description, signer's name and address, identification details, signer's signature in the journal, fee charged, and any unusual circumstances.
- Recommended retention: The Department of State advises retaining journals for seven (7) years after the last entry.
Accessing notary records:
- Because journals are not legally required, most Rhode Island notaries do not maintain them.
- If a notary has voluntarily maintained a journal, access would require the notary's consent or a court order/subpoena duces tecum.
- Court process: A party seeking notary records may petition the court for a subpoena to compel production.
Standards of Conduct:
- Rhode Island notaries are governed by R.I.G.L. 42-30.1 and the Standards of Conduct for Notaries Public.
- A notary who practices fraud or deceit in the exercise of their powers may be guilty of a misdemeanor and fined up to $1,000 or imprisoned.
- If a journal is maintained, notaries should not record Social Security numbers or credit card numbers.
Key considerations:
- The lack of a journal requirement means that many Rhode Island notaries have no written records of their notarial acts.
- When a commission expires, there is no statutory requirement to transmit records to any public office.
- The notary database maintained by the Rhode Island Secretary of State allows verification of a notary's current commission status.
Contact:
- Rhode Island Secretary of State, Business Services Division/Notary Section — (401) 222-3040
- Email: notaries@sos.ri.gov
- Website: sos.ri.gov/Divisions/NotaryPublic
- Address: 148 W. River Street, Providence, RI 02904-2615
Relevant statutes: R.I.G.L. Title 42, Chapter 30.1; Standards of Conduct for Notaries Public in the State of Rhode Island and Providence Plantations
This information is provided for general reference only, does not constitute legal advice, and may not reflect current law. Laws and procedures change frequently. We make no warranty regarding accuracy or completeness. Consult a qualified attorney in the relevant jurisdiction before taking action.