Rhode Island Will Signing Day Kit: Rhode Island's Witness and Notary Rules, Signing-Day Checklist, Witness Sheet and Original-Will Record

Who it is for

Anyone signing a will in Rhode Island, and the family member, friend or office helping set up the signing. Who can make a will, per the official page: 18 or older (Nolo, citing R.I. Gen. Laws 33-5-2).

Not the right fit if

The person signing isn't in Rhode Island, you still need the will written (that's a lawyer's job), or someone may contest it. Not a will form or a legal service.

Why it is different

• Built only from our Rhode Island will signing data file, checked November 2026 against R.I. Gen. Laws 33-5-5, Execution of will (Rhode Island General Assembly); R.I. Gen. Laws Chapter 33-5 index (Rhode Island General Assembly); Nolo (secondary source): How to Make a Will in Rhode Island (Nolo, updated September 2025); Justia (statute text) (secondary source): R.I. Gen. Laws 33-6-1, Gifts to attesting witnesses (2020 Rhode Island General Laws, Justia).
• All 7 Rhode Island facts are confirmed: on an official page, or where none could be read, on a vetted secondary source marked as such.
• Also from the file: Rhode Island has a separate section for persons in military service and sailors (33-5-6).
• For the estate side in Rhode Island, the Rhode Island Executor and Estate Kit: An estate made up entirely of personal property worth $15,000 or less, not counting tangible personal property.

What is inside

• Start here. The 7 confirmed Rhode Island facts at a glance.
• Rhode Island signing-day checklist. Bring 2 witnesses. The rule: Two or more witnesses present at the same time, who sign in the testator's presence. Pick witnesses who get nothing under the will and aren't married to someone who does. If a beneficiary would have to witness, stop and call the lawyer first: A gift to a witness is void as to that witness (and anyone claiming through them), though the will stands and the witness can still testify to prove it (R.I. Gen. Laws 33-6-1, 2020 text on Justia). Have a notary there for the self-proving affidavit. The official page we read names a notary public. Allowed. Per Nolo (citing R.I. Gen. Laws 33-7-26), the testator and witnesses sign an affidavit before a notary. The rule here: A gift to a witness is void as to that witness (and anyone claiming through them), though the will stands and the witness can still testify to prove it (R.I. Gen. Laws 33-6-1, 2020 text on Justia).
• Witness information sheet. One block per Rhode Island witness (2 required, plus a spare).
• Original-will storage and location record. Where the original is and who has copies. Handwritten wills in Rhode Island: Not recognized: a will needs witnesses, per Nolo's Rhode Island page (updated September 2025).
• Rhode Island will signing tracker (Excel). Steps, ID, copies and review dates. Remote witnessing in Rhode Island: Not provided for: no Rhode Island law we found lets witnesses appear by video, and e-wills aren't authorized (Nolo's Rhode Island page, updated September 2025). Electronic wills: Not authorized, per Nolo's Rhode Island page (updated September 2025); the will must be on paper.