Notary Public - Apply for a New Commission - Rhode Island

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Renew Your Existing Commission

Your notary ID number is permanent and will never change. If you submit a completed renewal application before your commission expires, only the year of your commission’s expiration will change. If your commission is expired, please use the notary ID number assigned to you. Incomplete applications will be returned and may result in a new expiration date. Follow the steps below to renew your commission.

STEP 1

Get ready to apply

Know Your Powers and Duties

All applicants are required to know the powers and duties of the Office of Notary Public. Before you submit your renewal application, you should:

Review the Notary Public Manual, RIGL Chapter 42-30.1 and the updated Standards of Conduct;
Attend our free RI Notary Public Training; and
Take the Notary Knowledge Assessment and achieve a score of at least 80%.

Locate Your Commission Information

Find your Notary ID Number.

Find a RI Notary

You must appear before a RI Notary Public to take the Oath of Office. Click here to find a RI Notary Public.

STEP 2

Complete the form

Fill out and print the Notary Renewal Application form . Please note:

Both pages of the form must be completed.
Photocopies are not acceptable.
All signatures on the form must be original (digital signatures are not acceptable). Learn how your notarial signature may differ from your legal signature.
You must appear before a RI Notary Public who will administer the Oath of Office and complete the notarial certificate.

STEP 3

Fee

The non-refundable fee to renew is $80. Your check or money order should be payable to RI Department of State.

STEP 4

Submit your form

Mail or bring your application to: 

RI Department of State 
Business Services Division/Notary
148 West River Street 
Providence, RI 02904

We cannot accept applications via email.

Once your completed application is received by our office, it is processed within 3-5 business days. Your commission certificate will be mailed to the address on the application. If you do not receive your commission certificate or need a duplicate copy, contact us at  [email protected].

STEP 5

Assess your notary tools

The Rhode Island Department of State does not sell or issue notary tools.

Notary Stamp

All RI notaries are required to use an inked notary stamp. Your stamp must:

Be round (circular) or rectangular;
Have an edge border;
Contain your name exactly as it appears on your commission;
Contain the words “Notary Public”; and
Contain the words “Rhode Island”.

You can purchase a stamp from office supply retailers in person or online. If your stamp does not meet these requirements or contains outdated information, you must order a new stamp.

Notary Journal

Make sure your notary journal has enough blank entries for your next commission period. If necessary, order a new journal. If you are not currently using a notary journal, we strongly suggest you obtain and use one. A journal is a permanently bound book that creates and preserves a chronological record of notarial acts you perform. It is a vital tool you can use for reference in the event a complaint is filed against you, or you are called to testify to the details of a notarial ceremony.

Did you know?

You may continue to notarize for 30 days after your commission expires. Be sure to note the expiration date of your current commission on the notarial certificate.