Notary Public Permit Requirements in Providence, RI

1. EIN (Employer Identification Number)

   Required if you have employees or operate as an LLC or corporation. Free from the IRS.

   Official government source

   Free·Immediate (online application)

   Free

   Immediate (online application)

1. Rhode Island Division of Taxation — Sales Tax Permit

   Required for all businesses selling tangible personal property or taxable services in Rhode Island. Rhode Island charges a 7% state sales tax with no local sales taxes. Register with the RI Division of Taxation online via the RI Tax Portal.

   Official government source

   Free·Immediate (online)

   Free

   Immediate (online)

1. Rhode Island Department of State - Notary Public Commission

   Notary public commissions are issued statewide by the RI Department of State (Secretary of State), not by any city or town. Applicants must be at least 18, be a U.S. citizen or permanent legal resident, live or work in Rhode Island, read and write English, complete the free RI Notary Public training and score at least 80% on the Notary Knowledge Assessment, and take the Oath of Office before an existing Rhode Island notary. Commissions run four years.

   Official government source

   $80 non-refundable application fee, by check or money order payable to the RI Department of State. No surety bond is required in Rhode Island.·Processed within 3-5 business days once the completed application is received; the commission certificate is then mailed to the applicant.

   $80 non-refundable application fee, by check or money order payable to the RI Department of State. No surety bond is required in Rhode Island.

   Processed within 3-5 business days once the completed application is received; the commission certificate is then mailed to the applicant.

2. No Providence General Business License

   Providence does not require a general business license or a fee based on gross revenue. The city's Board of Licenses issues licenses only for specific regulated activities - liquor, entertainment, food establishment, body works, second-hand dealer and second-hand auto, motor vehicle repair, vendor, private detective, pawnbroker, valet, trash hauling and similar. Photography, tutoring and wedding planning are not licensed categories. Check the Board's online licensing portal to see whether your specific activity appears on the list.

   Official government source

   Not applicable - no general Providence business license exists. Fees for the specific regulated categories are set per license type in the Board of Licenses portal.·Not applicable; applications for the specific licenses are scheduled for a hearing before the Board of License Commissioners.

   Not applicable - no general Providence business license exists. Fees for the specific regulated categories are set per license type in the Board of Licenses portal.

   Not applicable; applications for the specific licenses are scheduled for a hearing before the Board of License Commissioners.

Official Sources

• Rhode Island Secretary of State

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