RI Notary Qualifications and Commission 3 — Questions and Answers
Question 1: A Rhode Island notary moves to a new home address within the state. What should she do?
- Notify the Secretary of State of the change of address (Correct answer)
- Nothing, because address changes never need to be reported
- Surrender her commission and reapply from scratch
- Notify only her local town clerk
Correct answer: Notify the Secretary of State of the change of address
Rhode Island notaries must keep their information current by notifying the Secretary of State of changes such as a new address.
Question 2: David, a commissioned Rhode Island notary who lives in the state, moves to Massachusetts and no longer works in Rhode Island. What happens to his commission?
- He no longer qualifies and should resign his commission (Correct answer)
- His commission automatically transfers to Massachusetts
- He may keep the commission for life regardless of residence
- His commission is suspended for 90 days, then reinstated
Correct answer: He no longer qualifies and should resign his commission
A notary who neither resides nor works in Rhode Island no longer meets the qualification requirements and should resign the commission.
Question 3: Which state office processes Rhode Island notary public applications and maintains notary records?
- The Secretary of State (Correct answer)
- The Department of Revenue
- The Rhode Island Judiciary
- The Office of the Lieutenant Governor
Correct answer: The Secretary of State
The Rhode Island Secretary of State processes notary applications and maintains the official records of commissioned notaries.
Question 4: Under the Rhode Island law on notarial acts, what happens when a notary's commission expires and she wants to continue notarizing?
- She must apply for renewal and may not notarize until recommissioned (Correct answer)
- She may keep notarizing for a 60-day grace period
- Her commission renews automatically as long as she pays taxes
- She must retake a college-level course before renewing
Correct answer: She must apply for renewal and may not notarize until recommissioned
A notary whose commission has expired has no authority to perform notarial acts until a renewal commission is issued.
Question 5: Sara's notary application was denied by the commissioning authority. Which of the following is a legitimate basis for such a denial in Rhode Island?
- A finding or admission of fraud, dishonesty, or deceit by the applicant (Correct answer)
- The applicant's political party affiliation
- The applicant being older than 65
- The applicant working for a small business rather than a large firm
Correct answer: A finding or admission of fraud, dishonesty, or deceit by the applicant
Fraud, dishonesty, or deceit are statutory grounds for denying a notary commission, while age above 18, politics, and employer size are not.
Question 6: Which of the following individuals is NOT eligible for a Rhode Island notary commission?
- A 17-year-old high school student who lives in Providence (Correct answer)
- A 30-year-old Massachusetts resident employed in Warwick
- A 45-year-old attorney practicing in Newport
- A 62-year-old retiree residing in Cranston
Correct answer: A 17-year-old high school student who lives in Providence
Applicants must be at least 18 years old, so the 17-year-old does not qualify regardless of residency.
Question 7: How does an eligible person begin the process of becoming a Rhode Island notary?
- Submit an application with the required fee to the Secretary of State (Correct answer)
- File a petition in Superior Court
- Register with the local police department
- Purchase a notary seal and begin notarizing immediately
Correct answer: Submit an application with the required fee to the Secretary of State
The process starts with submitting a completed application and fee to the Secretary of State's office, which processes commissions.
RI Notary Qualifications and Commission 3
A Rhode Island notary moves to a new home address within the state.
What should she do?