--- title: "Does a Small Estate Affidavit Need a Notary in Rhode Island?" description: "Rhode Island small estate affidavit: signed under oath. The statement is verified by oath or affirmation. With the official source and the next step." url: "https://mcc-solutionsnj.com/notary/does-it-need-a-notary/small-estate-affidavit-rhode-island" --- Does it need a notary? · Rhode Island # Does a small estate affidavit need a notary in Rhode Island? The answer from the state's own pages, what else a small estate affidavit needs to be signed properly here, and how to get it done. ✓ New Jersey commissioned notary, no. 50244803, insured for errors and omissions. [See the credentials](/about/credentials) Signed under oath. The statement is verified by oath or affirmation. ## In the official wording "a statement, verified by oath or affirmation" From the official pages listed below, 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" Official form Set by each probate court (Providence Probate Court: Petition for Voluntary Informal Administration). The statute has the statement filed on a form prescribed by the court, and Rhode Island's probate courts are run by each city or town; Providence's form cites 33-24-1, is sworn and has a notary block. Set by your probate court; ask the clerk. [Open the official form](https://www.providenceri.gov/wp-content/uploads/2017/04/Petition_for_Voluntary_Informal_Administration.pdf) 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" ## Next step Sign by video with our New Jersey notary while you're in Rhode Island, 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](https://pub.njleg.gov/bills/2020/PL21/179_.HTM)). 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](/notary/online-notary/rhode-island). Handling an estate from far away? [Estate paperwork help near where the estate is](/notary/estate-paperwork-help-out-of-state). Ask the bank, holder or court that will receive the affidavit whether it accepts an electronically notarized one. [Notarize it online ($50 per session)](/notary/#order) [Request a mobile notary in Rhode Island](/notary/mobile-notary-outside-new-jersey?state=Rhode%20Island#request) Booking sends a request; we confirm the time and the price before you pay. In person, we look for a notary commissioned in Rhode Island near you; you approve the price first. If a local notary in Rhode Island does it: Up to $25 per document or notarization, under the state's fee rules ([Rhode Island notary fees](/notary/fees-by-state/rhode-island)). ## Get it notarized online today Online notary: open now until 9 PM ET · sessions by appointment · times confirmed by email A New Jersey notary can notarize this with you on a video call, wherever you are in the U.S. $50 for the session, $10 for each extra signer. Any other fee shows in the booking form before you confirm. Open 7 am to 9 pm ET, every day, by appointment. **What you need** - A valid government photo ID - A computer or phone with a camera - The unsigned document [Book an online session](/notary/?service=ron#order) Our certificate states the act was performed using communication technology, as New Jersey law requires. [What it must say](/notary/remote-online-notarization-certificate-wording) Most U.S. recipients accept a remotely notarized document; check with whoever will receive it. [What to ask them](/notary/will-my-online-notarization-be-accepted) · [Several signers](/notary/online-notarization-multiple-signers) ## Official sources - [R.I. Gen. Laws 33-24-1, Small estates (Rhode Island General Assembly)](https://webserver.rilegislature.gov/Statutes/TITLE33/33-24/33-24-1.htm) (checked November 2026) - [Providence Probate Court: Petition for Voluntary Informal Administration (PDF)](https://www.providenceri.gov/wp-content/uploads/2017/04/Petition_for_Voluntary_Informal_Administration.pdf) (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 - [Rhode Island small estate affidavit](/notary/small-estate-affidavit-rhode-island) - [Eligibility checker](/notary/small-estate-eligibility-checker?state=ri) - [Small estate rules in every state](/notary/small-estate-affidavit-by-state) - [A will in Rhode Island](/notary/does-it-need-a-notary/will-rhode-island) A small estate affidavit in another state: [Oregon](/notary/does-it-need-a-notary/small-estate-affidavit-oregon) · [South Carolina](/notary/does-it-need-a-notary/small-estate-affidavit-south-carolina) · [every state](/notary/does-it-need-a-notary?doc=small-estate-affidavit) ## Ready to sign? Book a video session. [Book an online notarization](/notary/#order)[Call (908) 444-6373](tel:+19084446373)