What Do I Need to Sign My Power of Attorney in Rhode Island?
Witness, notary, and remote online notarization (RON) requirements for financial poas in Rhode Island.
Frequently Asked Questions
Rhode Island does not require witnesses for a financial poa.R.I. Gen. Laws § 18-16-2Verified Jul 14, 2026
Yes, notarization is required for a financial poa to be valid in Rhode Island.R.I. Gen. Laws § 18-16-2Verified Jul 14, 2026
Rhode Island allows Remote Online Notarization (RON) for financial powers of attorney.R.I. Gen. Laws § 18-16-2Verified Jul 14, 2026 The notarization can be completed via secure video call with an approved RON provider. The state also accepts out-of-state RON.
To execute a financial poa in Rhode Island: Schedule a notary appointment (in-person or online via RON). Have your agent sign to acknowledge acceptance. Provide copies to financial institutions. Remote notarization is available; whether the document itself may be signed electronically is unresolved
Generally yes. Rhode Island accepts out-of-state POAs in practice but doesn't have UPOAA § 302 or an explicit reciprocity statute, so acceptance rests on common-law principles.R.I. Gen. Laws Ch. 18-16; § 34-22-6.1Verified Jul 14, 2026 Rhode Island has not adopted UPOAA. General choice of law / comity principles apply. § 34-22-6.1(b) provides third-party protections for good-faith reliance on any POA. The document portability tool shows recognition by document type.
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