Living Will Requirements in Rhode Island
A Rhode Island living will declaration must be signed in the presence of two witnesses who are not related to the declarant by blood or marriage; notarization is not required.
Last checked . General information, not legal advice.
Rhode Island at a glance
- Name of the document
- Declaration (Living Will)
- Witnesses
- 2 witnesses
- Notarization
- Optional
The rules in Rhode Island
What is a living will called in Rhode Island?
In Rhode Island, the document is called the Declaration (Living Will).
Does a living will need witnesses in Rhode Island?
Rhode Island requires two witnesses.
Does a living will need to be notarized in Rhode Island?
No. Notarization is optional in Rhode Island.
Where do the Rhode Island rules for living wills come from?
They come from R.I. Gen. Laws 23-4.11-3. We last checked them in October 2026. Laws change, so check the current statute before you rely on it.
How Rhode Island compares
Rhode Island is one of 25 jurisdictions that make notarization optional.
What this means in practice
Give copies to your doctor, your health care agent and close family, and keep the original where it can be found quickly. A living will that nobody can find cannot help.
Many states have rules about who may serve as a witness, for example excluding relatives or your health care providers. Check the statute before you sign.
Review the document after a major diagnosis, a move to another state or a change in your wishes.
General information, not legal advice. Laws change, and cities can add their own rules, so check the current statute before you rely on it.