Rhode Island Vehicle Power of Attorney

Introduction

Key Things to Know

1. 1

   The notary comes first in Rhode Island. The Limited Power of Attorney for Rhode Island Vehicle Registration, which the Division of Motor Vehicles designates POA (01/2024), appoints a named grantee to sign in the owner's stead on any application required to be filed with the RI DMV for the one vehicle described, and the owner's signature must be notarized before any of that works.

2. 2

   The notary block is specific. The form demands that the notary stamp be ink and not only embossed, and it prints a notary public signature line, a printed name line, an OFFICIAL SEAL HERE space and a commission expiration date field marked MANDATORY.

3. 3

   The authority has a thirty day shelf life. It expires when the vehicle's registration or title is processed at the RI DMV, by an authorized business partner, or thirty days from the owner's signature, whichever comes first.

4. 4

   Originals only. The header reads that signatures must be originals, that photocopies and fax copies are not acceptable, and that alterations or erasures will void the form.

5. 5

   A copy of photo identification is required for every grantor and for the grantee. All sections must be completed to be valid, and all sections must be handwritten or typed.

6. 6

   The form asks for a driver license number and issuing state for each owner and for the grantee, plus a liability insurance block giving the company name, the policy number and the effective dates, which is unusual on a vehicle power of attorney.

7. 7

   This form cannot be used in a dealer transaction to complete a title assignment on a motor vehicle subject to federal odometer disclosure. The secure Power of Attorney to Disclose Mileage, Form MVT-10, is required where a power of attorney is permitted for such a vehicle.

Rhode Island Requirements for Vehicle Power of Attorney

• DMV Form POA (01/2024), Limited Power of Attorney

  Rhode Island uses the Limited Power of Attorney for Rhode Island Vehicle Registration, designated POA (01/2024) by the State of Rhode Island Division of Motor Vehicles, 600 New London Avenue, Cranston. It appoints a named grantee to sign in the owner's stead on any document required to be filed with the RI DMV for the one vehicle described.

• Notarization Required, With an Ink Stamp

  The form prints, in capitals, that owner signatures must be notarized and that the notary stamp must be ink and not only embossed. It provides a notary public signature line, a printed name line, an OFFICIAL SEAL HERE space and a commission expiration date field marked mandatory. Regulation 280-RICR-30-10-15.3 agrees: the form shall be witnessed and executed before a notary public.

• Thirty Day Expiry

  The authority expires when the vehicle's registration or title is processed at the RI DMV, by an authorized business partner, or thirty days from the owner's signature, whichever comes first. The clock starts at signing, so the notary appointment should be timed close to the counter visit.

• Originals Only, and No Corrections

  The form's header states that signatures must be originals, that photocopies and fax copies are not acceptable, and that alterations or erasures will void the form. A corrected entry means printing a fresh form rather than repairing the old one.

• Photo ID Copies for Grantor and Grantee

  A copy of photo identification is required for each grantor and for the grantee. All sections of the form must be completed to be valid, and all sections must be handwritten or typed. The owner blocks and the grantee block each also ask for a driver license number and the issuing state.

• Liability Insurance Block

  The form carries a liability insurance information block asking for the company name, the policy number and the effective dates, running from and to. Have the policy details ready before the notary appointment, because an incomplete section invalidates the form.

• Certification Under Penalty of Perjury as Well

  Alongside the notary block, the owner certifies under penalty of perjury that to the best of their knowledge all information presented in the form, including any supporting documents, is true and correct, and that any documents presented are genuine. Rhode Island asks for both the oath and the notary, not one or the other.

• Form MVT-10 for Federal Odometer Disclosure

  This power of attorney cannot be used in a dealer transaction to complete a title assignment on a motor vehicle subject to federal odometer disclosure. In compliance with federal law, the secure Power of Attorney to Disclose Mileage, Form MVT-10, must be used where a power of attorney is permitted for such a vehicle.