The officer or other person charged with the service of the notification shall serve the notification by reading it to the party to be cited, if to be found; and if not to be found, by leaving a copy thereof at his or her usual place of abode; and shall, in his or her return, state the manner and time of the service; and whenever the service shall be made by any person other than a sworn officer, he or she shall verify the return, under oath, before some officer authorized to administer oaths.
R.I. Gen. Laws § 9-18-4