R.I. Gen. Laws ch. 34-18 § 34-18-10

(a)(1) In actions for nonpayment of rent, the summons for eviction for nonpayment of rent
shall be in the form provided in § 34-18-56(g). At the time of filing of the complaint, the clerk shall enter the date of hearing
upon the summons, which shall be fourteen (14) to twenty-four (24) days after filing
of the complaint. For the purposes of this section only, the time of filing of the
complaint shall be the date upon which the clerk assigns a case number to the action
and the filing fee is paid to the clerk. On the same day that the complaint is filed,
the plaintiff's attorney or, if pro se, the plaintiff, or if more than one, the person
filing the complaint shall mail a copy of the summons and complaint with the date
of the hearing and a blank answer form as provided in § 34-18-56(j) by first class mail, to the defendant, shall complete the proof of service on a copy
of the original summons and file the completed proof of service in the appropriate
court. The plaintiff shall deliver the original summons and a copy thereof, together
with a copy of the complaint and a blank answer form to the division of sheriffs or
any constable of the county in which the appropriate court is located. The officer
receiving the copies shall serve them by:


(i) Handing them to the defendant; or


(ii) Serving them at the defendant's dwelling unit to a person of suitable age and discretion
then residing therein; or


(iii) If none be found, by posting them conspicuously on the door to defendant's dwelling
unit.


(2) The deputy sheriff or constable serving the summons and complaint shall make proof
of service on the original summons and shall file it with the clerk of the appropriate
court at or before the time of the hearing. The proof of service shall show the manner
and the day, hour, and place of service, and shall show that the defendant was served
no less than five (5) days before the hearing.


(b) In all actions pursuant to this chapter other than for nonpayment of rent, the procedure
shall be as follows:


(1) The summons for eviction actions pursuant to §§ 34-18-36 and 34-18-38 shall be in the form provided in § 34-18-56(h). A blank answer, in the form provided in § 34-18-56(j) shall be served together with this summons.


(2) The summons in all other actions pursuant to this chapter shall be in the form provided
in § 34-18-56(i). Service shall be made pursuant to Rule 4 of the district court civil rules, or other
appropriate rule of court.


(c) If a landlord or tenant is not a resident of this state or is a corporation not authorized
to do business in this state and engages in any conduct in this state governed by
this chapter, or engages in a transaction subject to this chapter, he or she may designate
an agent upon whom service of process may be made in this state. The agent shall be
a resident of this state or a corporation authorized to do business in this state.
The designation shall be in writing and filed with the secretary of state. If no designation
is made and filed or if the process cannot be served in this state upon the designated
agent, process may be served upon the secretary of state, but service upon the secretary
of state is not effective unless the plaintiff or petitioner forthwith mails a copy
of the process and pleading by registered or certified mail to the defendant or respondent
at his or her last reasonably ascertainable address. An affidavit of compliance with
this subsection shall be filed with the clerk of the court on or before the return
day of the process, if any, or within any further time the court allows.


(d) [Deleted by P.L. 2022, ch. 206, § 1 and P.L. 2022, ch. 207, § 1.]