Rhode Island does not require a journal — DOS recommends keeping one and advises 7-year retention if you do. SSNs and credit card numbers must not be recorded. RON and electronic notarization both require DOS written authorization. Notary Knowledge Assessment required (≥80%). $80 application fee. NotaryAct is configured for Rhode Island with compliant best-practice journal fields.
| ⚖️ Rhode Island Notary Journal Law — Quick Reference | |
|---|---|
| Governing Law | RIGL Chapter 42-30.1 (RULONA) · Standards of Conduct for Notaries Public · RI Notary Public Manual (Rev. July 2024) |
| Journal Required? | Not required by law — DOS recommends as best practice |
| Voluntary Retention | DOS advises retaining journals for 7 years after the last entry if voluntarily kept |
| Prohibited Entries | ⛔ SSNs and credit card numbers must NOT be recorded in any journal ✓ |
| Electronic Notarization (IPEN) | DOS written authorization required before first act ✓ |
| RON | DOS written authorization required · Approved platform required · Notary must be in RI ✓ |
| RON A/V Recording | Mandatory — retained for at least 10 years |
| RIN (Remote Ink) | Possible — signer sends original signed paper within 30 days, notary completes on original |
| Thumbprint / Fingerprint | Not required · Not prohibited · Optional in NotaryAct RI configuration |
| Knowledge Assessment | Required — open-book online assessment, minimum 80% score ✓ |
| Surety Bond | Not required |
| Application Fee | $80 non-refundable · Paper-only application (no online portal) |
| Max Fee | $25 per notarial act (traditional and RON) |
| Commission Term | 4 years · 30-day grace period after expiration · No grace after 30 days until renewed |
Rhode Island takes a light-touch approach to journal requirements: no statutory mandate, but clear guidance from the DOS and the Standards of Conduct on best practices. The Notary Public Manual (revised July 2024) confirms journals are “recommended as best practice but not required.” If you keep one, the DOS Quick Reference Guide advises retaining it for 7 years.
The prohibition on SSNs and credit card numbers is explicit in the Standards of Conduct — these sensitive identifiers should never appear in a notary journal regardless of whether one is required. NotaryAct’s Rhode Island configuration enforces this by design.
Rhode Island’s RON authorization is permanent (RIGL 42-30.1-12.1, enacted 2022) but requires DOS written authorization before a notary may perform any electronic or remote notarization. Approved technology providers must be used — consumer video apps are not acceptable.
These are the DOS-recommended fields. NotaryAct’s Rhode Island configuration enables all of them, with SSN/credit card fields excluded by design.
| 1 | Date and time — Auto-timestamped by NotaryAct at submission. |
| 2 | Type of notarial act — Acknowledgment, jurat, oath/affirmation, signature witnessing, copy certification. NotaryAct dropdown for all RI-authorized act types. |
| 3 | Document description — Dedicated field in NotaryAct. |
| 4 | Full printed name, signature, and address of each signer — Auto-filled via barcode scanner from any RI driver’s license. |
| 5 | Identity verification — ID description, number, and expiration — Note: SSNs and credit card numbers must NOT be recorded. NotaryAct captures ID type, issuer, and expiration only. |
| + | Fee charged (max $25) — Fee field in every NotaryAct entry. Fees must be disclosed at place of business or on request. |
⛔ Prohibited from Rhode Island journals: Social Security numbers and credit card numbers must not be recorded. NotaryAct’s Rhode Island configuration captures ID type, issuer, and expiration date only — sensitive numerical identifiers are not stored.
✔ NotaryAct is configured for Rhode Island: All DOS-recommended best-practice fields enabled. SSN and credit card fields excluded by design. Voluntary journal with 7-year retention. Full RON electronic journal support. Fingerprint capture available as optional feature.
Other state guides: Massachusetts · Connecticut · Maine · New York · All 50 States →
NotaryAct’s Rhode Island configuration gives you a best-practice journal built to DOS recommendations — with SSN/credit card fields blocked, 7-year voluntary retention, and full RON electronic journal support for when you’re authorized.
This page is for informational purposes only and does not constitute legal advice. Information reflects Rhode Island General Laws Chapter 42-30.1 and the RI Notary Public Manual (Revised July 2024, ASN updated March 2026) as in effect June 2026. Consult the Rhode Island Department of State Business Services Division at sos.ri.gov or qualified legal counsel for guidance specific to your situation.
