Rhode Island Notary Public Manual

WHAT IS A NOTARY PUBLIC?- A Notary Public is an official of integrity commissioned to a four year term by the Governor to serve the public as an impartial witness to the identity, comprehension, and intent of a person requesting a notarial act. Each act requires a notary to attest that certain formalities have been observed. Every notarial act affects the legal rights of others. A notary may be held personally responsible for improper, negligent or fraudulent acts. JURISDICTION- Rhode Island Notaries Public may perform notarial acts anywhere within the boundaries of the State of Rhode Island. They may NOT perform notarial acts outside of the State of Rhode Island. Notarial practices in the State of Rhode Island are governed by RIGL 42-30.1 and the Standards of Conduct for Notaries Public in the State of Rhode Island and Providence Plantations.

There are many reasons why someone would seek to be a notary public. You might be the owner of a small business; you may work in an office where clients and customers have frequent need of a notary's services; you may enjoy the official nature of the duties; or it may be a requirement of your job. No matter what the reason, appointment as a notary public is a serious undertaking. The notary is a ?public official, ? a person given a public trust, a person whose duties and responsibilities cannot be taken lightly. The notary serves a vital role in the execution of a wide range of documents. Whenever individuals see a document that has been ?notarized, ? they should be confident that the notarial act has been performed correctly. As a notary public it is your responsibility to use intelligence and judgment, and always perform your duties as required by Connecticut State law. You must remember that others are relying on your honesty and integrit

Before a person can perform notarial acts as a notary public, he or she must receive a commission as evidence of authority to perform those acts. Notaries are appointed by the Governor and commissioned by the Secretary of State (§26-1-10). Applicants must take the oath of office found in the South Carolina Constitution, which is included in the notary public application (§26-1-40). The application must be signed with pen and ink and the signature of the applicant must be acknowledged by a person authorized to administer oaths (§26-1-40). The date of your signature and the date of the notarization must match. You cannot notarize your own signature on the application or at any other time. The bottom part of the application is to be completed by your legislative delegation. The application fee is $25.00, made payable to the Secretary of State's Office. Once you have completed the application, you will mail it along with the fee to your county's legislative delegation office to be processed.

Reprint of the original, first published in 1882.

INTRODUCTION - This handbook is intended as a general guide and is designed to assist non-attorney notaries with the general requirements, duties, powers, limitations, liabilities, and legal significance of their actions as a notary public. Legal counsel should be consulted whenever specific problems or questions arise concerning any aspect of the office of notary public. THE NOTARY?S FUNCTION - A notary public is a public official whose powers and duties are defined by statute. A notary acts as an official, unbiased witness to the identity and signature of the person who comes before the notary for a specific purpose. The person may be taking an oath, giving oral or written testimony, or signing or acknowledging his or her signature on a legal document. In each case, the notary attests that certain formalities have been observed. The key function is to be certain that the person appearing before the notary is who that person claims to be.