Power of Attorney Requirements in Rhode Island
Rhode Island's durable power of attorney statute sets no notary or witness requirement, though the statutory short form includes a notary acknowledgment and notarization is needed for real estate recording.
Last checked . General information, not legal advice.
Rhode Island at a glance
- Notarization
- Not required by statute
- Witnesses
- None
- Uniform Power of Attorney Act
- Not adopted
- Rhode Island uses its own statute
The rules in Rhode Island
Does a power of attorney need to be notarized in Rhode Island?
Rhode Island law sets no notarization requirement for a power of attorney. Banks and title companies may still ask for one.
How many witnesses does a power of attorney need in Rhode Island?
None. Rhode Island does not require witnesses for a power of attorney.
Has Rhode Island adopted the Uniform Power of Attorney Act?
No. Rhode Island has its own power of attorney statute rather than the Uniform Power of Attorney Act.
Where do the Rhode Island rules for powers of attorney come from?
They come from R.I. Gen. Laws 34-22-6.1, R.I. Gen. Laws 18-16-2, statutory short form power of attorney and Uniform Law Commission, Power of Attorney Act enactment history. 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 7 jurisdictions that set no notarization requirement.
What this means in practice
Even where notarization is optional, banks, brokers and title companies often ask for a notarized power of attorney before they act on it. Notarizing is usually the safer choice.
Choose an agent you trust, name a backup, and give the agent a signed copy. Keep the original in a place your agent can reach.
You can revoke a power of attorney while you have capacity. Tell your agent and anyone who relied on it, in writing.
General information, not legal advice. Laws change, and cities can add their own rules, so check the current statute before you rely on it.