Renewals Update - Rhode Island

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Existing Notaries

Renewing your commission

Your renewal application must be submitted prior to the expiration date in order to maintain the same expiration month and day.
A renewal application can still be submitted; however, a new expiration date will be assigned based on the date it is received in our office and your application will be considered “new” and must meet all requirements for a new commission application.
Failure to return the renewal application prior to the expiration date may result in a lapse of the notary’s term of appointment. With most renewals, the notary retains their original notary ID number.
Failure to meet all requirements or incomplete applications will be returned to the applicant.

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STEP 1

Renewing your commission

Review the RIGL §42-30.1 and the updated Standards of Conduct effective January 1, 2019 for changes to Rhode Island’s notary laws.
Find your Notary ID Number
Complete and print the Notary Renewal Form
You must appear before a Rhode Island Notary Public to take the Oath of Office and complete the certificate. Notaries are available at our office to perform this service.

NOTE: If you are applying as a Rhode Island attorney or CPA, include a copy of your RI Bar Association or RI Board of Accountancy membership card.

STEP 2

Fee

Fee: $80 Non-refundable
Make check payable to: RI Department of State

STEP 3

Submit your application

Mail or bring your application to:
RI Department of State
148 W. River St.
Providence, RI 02904

Once your completed application is received by our office, it is processed within 3-5 business days and then your commission will be mailed to the address on the application.

STEP 1

Notary Information Updates

Notaries are required to report updates or changes to their notary commission within 10 days of the change with the exception of updates to electronic notarization, which are to be reported within 5 days of the change.

Find your Notary ID Number
Complete and print the Notary Public Information Update Form. For name changes only, this form must be notarized by a RI Notary Public.

STEP 2

Fee

There is no fee for updating your information

STEP 3

Submit your form

Mail or bring your form to:
RI Department of State
148 W. River St.
Providence, RI 02904

Once your completed form is received by our office, it is processed within 3-5 business days and if filing a name change, a new commission will be issued and mailed to your address of record.

STEP 1

Ending your commission

A notary may resign their commission at any time.

Anytime a notary’s commission ends, they must, as soon as possible, destroy or deface all stamps/seals to render them useless.
All journals should be retained for seven years thereafter as a matter of good practice.

STEP 2

Fee

There is no fee for ending your commission

STEP 3

Submit a written notice

To resign your commission:

Mail or bring your written notice of resignation to:
RI Department of State
148 W. River St.
Providence, RI 02904
Email your resignation to the Notary Division

If your commission certificate is lost, damaged or destroyed, a replacement certificate may be requested. To request a duplicate certificate:

Mail or bring your written request to:

RI Department of State
148 West River Street
Providence, RI 02904

Call the Notary Division at 401-222-3040
Email the Notary Division

Once your request is received by our office, it is processed within 3-5 business days and a duplicate certificate will be issued and mailed to your address of record.

If you lose your notary stamp/seal, you must report it to our office as soon as possible. To report a lost stamp/seal:

Mail or bring your written notice of loss to:

RI Department of State
148 West River Street
Providence, RI 02904

Email the Notary Division

Please do not forget to notify our office once your stamp/seal is recovered or replaced.

If a notary dies during the term of their commission, their personal representative must notify our office as soon as possible. To report a notary’s death:

Mail or bring the written notice of death, including the date of death to:

RI Department of State
148 West River Street
Providence, RI 02904

Email the Notary Division

As soon as possible destroy or deface all seals/stamps to render them useless. If a journal was used, retain the journal for seven years thereafter.

Your commission may be revoked for official misconduct, for cause by the Governor or if you are convicted of a felony and incarcerated.

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