R.I. Gen. Laws § 39-10-2: Appointment of attorney to receive process and appear.

Every corporation, person, or partnership shall by a written power appoint some citizen of this state, resident therein, as attorney, with power and authority to accept service of all lawful process against the corporation, person, or partnership, and to cause an appearance to be entered in like manner as if the corporation had existed or the person or the members of the partnership had been residents of and been duly served with process within the state.