In Rhode Island, a notary must ensure that the signer is personally present for the notarization. An attorney's representation is not sufficient for performing notarial acts on behalf of someone who is not physically present.
For verifying a signer's identity in Rhode Island, acceptable forms of identification include government-issued photo IDs, such as a driver’s license or passport. These forms provide a reliable means of verifying the signer’s identity.
An expired ID is not acceptable for verifying a signer’s identity. The notary should request a current, valid form of ID to ensure proper verification. Accepting an expired ID could compromise the integrity of the notarization.
If a signer is unable to physically sign but can make a mark, the notary should have the signer make the mark in the notary’s presence and then complete the notarization. The notary must document this in their notarial journal.
If there is a discrepancy between the name on the document and the name on the ID, the notary should proceed with the notarization but must note the discrepancy in the notarial journal. This helps maintain a clear record of the issue.
