Signed under oath.
The statement is verified by oath or affirmation.
In the official wording
"a statement, verified by oath or affirmation"
From R.I. Gen. Laws 33-24-1, Small estates (Rhode Island General Assembly), checked November 2026.
What else the signing needs
- Value limit
- An estate made up entirely of personal property worth $15,000 or less, not counting tangible personal property.
"does not exceed fifteen thousand dollars ($15,000) in value"
- Waiting period
- After 30 days from the death, if no petition for letters has been filed.
"after the expiration of thirty (30) days from the death of the decedent"
- Where it goes
- Filed with the probate court on the court's form.
"file with said probate court upon a form prescribed by the court"
- Other simplified route
- Small estate statement (voluntary administration). A verified statement filed with the probate court lets the affiant collect and pay out a small personal-property estate.
- Surviving spouse
- The surviving spouse may file, and after debts and expenses the balance goes to the surviving spouse first.
"to the surviving spouse, or, if there is no surviving spouse"
Not confirmed on the pages we read: the official form. Check with the probate court or court clerk (R.I. Gen. Laws 33-24-1, Small estates (Rhode Island General Assembly)).
Next step
Sign by video with our New Jersey notary while you're in the state, 7 AM to 9 PM Eastern, seven days a week, by appointment. New Jersey law lets a New Jersey notary notarize for a signer located in another state (N.J.S.A. 52:7-10.10). How Rhode Island treats it: The state gives a notarial act performed in another state the same effect as one by a Rhode Island notarial officer, when that state's notary does it. The rule took effect January 1, 2019. More on Rhode Island signers.
Ask the bank, holder or court that will receive the affidavit whether it accepts an electronically notarized one.
Book an online notarization Request a mobile notary in Rhode Island
In person, we look for a notary commissioned in the state near you; you approve the price first.
If a local notary in the state does it: Up to $25 per document or notarization, under the state's fee rules (Rhode Island notary fees).
Official sources
- R.I. Gen. Laws 33-24-1, Small estates (Rhode Island General Assembly) (checked November 2026)
We are not lawyers, and this is general information, not legal advice. Checked November 2026. Rules change, and whoever receives the document decides what it accepts; we can't guarantee acceptance.
Common questions
Is a notary required for a Rhode Island small estate affidavit?
Signed under oath. The statement is verified by oath or affirmation.
What is the small estate limit in Rhode Island?
An estate made up entirely of personal property worth $15,000 or less, not counting tangible personal property.
How long after a death can the Rhode Island affidavit be used?
After 30 days from the death, if no petition for letters has been filed.
Is the Rhode Island affidavit filed with a court?
Filed with the probate court on the court's form.
Can I sign the Rhode Island affidavit with an online notary?
Our New Jersey notary can notarize it by video while you're in the state. The state gives a notarial act performed in another state the same effect as one by a Rhode Island notarial officer, when that state's notary does it. The rule took effect January 1, 2019. Ask the bank, holder or court that will receive it whether it accepts an electronically notarized affidavit.
Keep going
A small estate affidavit in another state: Oregon · South Carolina · every state