Virginia (VA)
Automated Lookup
Operational
Research Virginia notary commissions. NotaVeri can automatically cross-reference Virginia notary details against the official state database.
Visit Virginia Official Notary Database
How to Research a Virginia Notary
1. Go to https://notary.solutions.virginia.gov/search
2. Enter the notary's name, commission number, or other search criteria.
3. Review the results to verify the notary's name, commission status, county/city of appointment, and commission dates.
Note: The database includes commissions submitted on or after 1/1/2011. For commissions prior to that date, contact the Secretary of the Commonwealth directly.
4. It is the notary's responsibility to report updates; the Secretary of the Commonwealth does not guarantee accuracy.
Contact: Virginia Secretary of the Commonwealth -- (804) 786-2441
2. Enter the notary's name, commission number, or other search criteria.
3. Review the results to verify the notary's name, commission status, county/city of appointment, and commission dates.
Note: The database includes commissions submitted on or after 1/1/2011. For commissions prior to that date, contact the Secretary of the Commonwealth directly.
4. It is the notary's responsibility to report updates; the Secretary of the Commonwealth does not guarantee accuracy.
Contact: Virginia Secretary of the Commonwealth -- (804) 786-2441
How to Verify a Virginia Notary's Signature
Virginia notaries file their commission with the clerk of the circuit court in the jurisdiction where they were appointed.
To verify a notary's signature:
1. Identify the county or independent city where the notary was appointed (this appears on the notarial certificate or seal).
2. Contact the clerk of the circuit court in that jurisdiction to request comparison against the notary's oath signature.
3. The Secretary of the Commonwealth at (804) 786-2441 can confirm commission status for commissions from 2011 onward.
Reference: Code of Virginia 47.1-8 et seq.
To verify a notary's signature:
1. Identify the county or independent city where the notary was appointed (this appears on the notarial certificate or seal).
2. Contact the clerk of the circuit court in that jurisdiction to request comparison against the notary's oath signature.
3. The Secretary of the Commonwealth at (804) 786-2441 can confirm commission status for commissions from 2011 onward.
Reference: Code of Virginia 47.1-8 et seq.
Verifying Older Virginia Documents
The Virginia Secretary of the Commonwealth's online database includes commissions from January 1, 2011 onward.
1. Search the online database at https://notary.solutions.virginia.gov/search
2. For commissions prior to 2011, contact the Secretary of the Commonwealth at (804) 786-2441.
3. The clerk of the circuit court where the notary was appointed may also have historical records.
Commission term: 4 years (expires last day of notary's birth month in the 4th year).
1. Search the online database at https://notary.solutions.virginia.gov/search
2. For commissions prior to 2011, contact the Secretary of the Commonwealth at (804) 786-2441.
3. The clerk of the circuit court where the notary was appointed may also have historical records.
Commission term: 4 years (expires last day of notary's birth month in the 4th year).
Virginia Notary Stamp/Seal Requirements
Virginia requires every notary to affix a seal or stamp on all notarized documents.
Seal requirements (Code of Virginia 47.1-16):
- Type: Ink stamp or inked embosser (must be photographically reproducible)
- Must include: The notary's name (as commissioned), "Notary Public", and "Commonwealth of Virginia"
- The seal must be sharp, legible, permanent, and photographically reproducible
- The notary's commission expiration date must appear on all notarized documents (either in the seal or near the signature)
- Notary registration number must be included on every notarization
- Virginia notaries have jurisdiction only within the Commonwealth of Virginia
Seal requirements (Code of Virginia 47.1-16):
- Type: Ink stamp or inked embosser (must be photographically reproducible)
- Must include: The notary's name (as commissioned), "Notary Public", and "Commonwealth of Virginia"
- The seal must be sharp, legible, permanent, and photographically reproducible
- The notary's commission expiration date must appear on all notarized documents (either in the seal or near the signature)
- Notary registration number must be included on every notarization
- Virginia notaries have jurisdiction only within the Commonwealth of Virginia
Contacting a Virginia Notary
The following is for general informational purposes only and does not constitute legal advice.
We make no warranty regarding its accuracy or completeness.
Consult a qualified attorney before taking action.
Virginia — Contacting the Notary for Verification
Virginia does not require traditional notaries public to maintain a journal for notarial acts, although the Secretary of the Commonwealth recommends that each notary maintain a journal as a best practice. Notaries performing video conference notarial acts or electronic notarial acts, however, are required by law to keep detailed records.
Journal requirement:
- A traditional notary is not required by law to keep a notary journal for paper notarizations (Va. Code Ann. § 47.1-1 et seq.).
- The Secretary of the Commonwealth recommends that each notary maintain a journal that provides a record of all notarial acts performed to provide evidence for resolving future disputes over authenticity of signatures and documents.
- The notary is required by law to keep a record of each video conference notarial act.
Electronic notarial journal requirements:
- A notary performing electronic notarial acts must keep, maintain, protect, and provide for lawful inspection an electronic record of notarial acts that contains: the date and time of day of the notarial act, the type of notarial act, the type, title, or a description of the document or proceeding, the printed name and address of each principal, the evidence of identity of each principal, and the fee (Va. Code Ann. § 47.1-14(c)).
- If video and audio conference technology is the basis for satisfactory evidence of identity, the electronic notary must keep a copy of the recording of the video and audio conference and a notation of the type of any other identification used.
Retention period:
- The electronic record of an electronic notarial act must be maintained for a period of at least five years from the date of the transaction (Va. Code Ann. § 47.1-14(c)).
Inspection and access:
- For electronic notarial acts, the notary must "provide for lawful inspection" of the electronic record of notarial acts (Va. Code Ann. § 47.1-14(c)).
- The statute does not define "lawful inspection" or specify who may inspect or under what circumstances. A subpoena or court order may be necessary to compel production if the notary is unwilling to cooperate voluntarily.
Key considerations:
- Virginia notaries are commissioned for four-year terms. The commission expires in the fourth calendar year after issuance on the last day of the month in which the notary was born (Va. Code Ann. § 47.1-21).
- Every notary who wishes to resign from office, or who ceases to be a notary, shall forthwith mail or deliver his commission to the Secretary, who shall cancel the same. The notary shall be responsible for the destruction of the official physical seal (Va. Code Ann. § 47.1-24).
- The statute does not specify journal disposition requirements upon commission expiry or death.
- Contact: VA Secretary of the Commonwealth — (804) 692-2536 or notary@governor.virginia.gov
Relevant statutes: Va. Code Ann. §§ 47.1-1 to 47.1-30, particularly § 47.1-14(c)
This information is provided for general reference only, does not constitute legal advice, and may not reflect current law. Laws and procedures change frequently. We make no warranty regarding accuracy or completeness. Consult a qualified attorney in the relevant jurisdiction before taking action.
Virginia does not require traditional notaries public to maintain a journal for notarial acts, although the Secretary of the Commonwealth recommends that each notary maintain a journal as a best practice. Notaries performing video conference notarial acts or electronic notarial acts, however, are required by law to keep detailed records.
Journal requirement:
- A traditional notary is not required by law to keep a notary journal for paper notarizations (Va. Code Ann. § 47.1-1 et seq.).
- The Secretary of the Commonwealth recommends that each notary maintain a journal that provides a record of all notarial acts performed to provide evidence for resolving future disputes over authenticity of signatures and documents.
- The notary is required by law to keep a record of each video conference notarial act.
Electronic notarial journal requirements:
- A notary performing electronic notarial acts must keep, maintain, protect, and provide for lawful inspection an electronic record of notarial acts that contains: the date and time of day of the notarial act, the type of notarial act, the type, title, or a description of the document or proceeding, the printed name and address of each principal, the evidence of identity of each principal, and the fee (Va. Code Ann. § 47.1-14(c)).
- If video and audio conference technology is the basis for satisfactory evidence of identity, the electronic notary must keep a copy of the recording of the video and audio conference and a notation of the type of any other identification used.
Retention period:
- The electronic record of an electronic notarial act must be maintained for a period of at least five years from the date of the transaction (Va. Code Ann. § 47.1-14(c)).
Inspection and access:
- For electronic notarial acts, the notary must "provide for lawful inspection" of the electronic record of notarial acts (Va. Code Ann. § 47.1-14(c)).
- The statute does not define "lawful inspection" or specify who may inspect or under what circumstances. A subpoena or court order may be necessary to compel production if the notary is unwilling to cooperate voluntarily.
Key considerations:
- Virginia notaries are commissioned for four-year terms. The commission expires in the fourth calendar year after issuance on the last day of the month in which the notary was born (Va. Code Ann. § 47.1-21).
- Every notary who wishes to resign from office, or who ceases to be a notary, shall forthwith mail or deliver his commission to the Secretary, who shall cancel the same. The notary shall be responsible for the destruction of the official physical seal (Va. Code Ann. § 47.1-24).
- The statute does not specify journal disposition requirements upon commission expiry or death.
- Contact: VA Secretary of the Commonwealth — (804) 692-2536 or notary@governor.virginia.gov
Relevant statutes: Va. Code Ann. §§ 47.1-1 to 47.1-30, particularly § 47.1-14(c)
This information is provided for general reference only, does not constitute legal advice, and may not reflect current law. Laws and procedures change frequently. We make no warranty regarding accuracy or completeness. Consult a qualified attorney in the relevant jurisdiction before taking action.