dcrodriguez/Code-of-Virginia huggingface dataset:
Code of Virginia — Title 46.2 (Motor Vehicles), Chapter 8 (Regulation of Traffic)
§ 46.2-922. Driving over fire hose.
It shall be unlawful, without the consent of the fire department official in command, for the driver of any vehicle to drive over any unprotected hose of a fire department laid down for use at any fire or alarm of fire.

Code 1950, § 46-242.1; 1954, c. 13; 1958, c. 541, § 46.1-228; 1989, c. 727.

Code of Virginia — Title 46.2 (Motor Vehicles), Chapter 8 (Regulation of Traffic)
§ 46.2-923. How and where pedestrians to cross highways.
A. When crossing highways, pedestrians shall not carelessly or maliciously interfere with the orderly passage of vehicles. They shall cross, wherever possible, only at intersections or marked crosswalks. Where intersections contain no marked crosswalks, pedestrians shall not be guilty of negligence as a matter of law for crossing at any such intersection or between intersections when crossing by the most direct route.

B. The governing body of any town or city or the governing body of a county authorized by law to regulate traffic may by ordinance permit pedestrians to cross an intersection diagonally when all traffic entering the intersection has been halted by lights, other traffic control devices, or by a law-enforcement officer.

C. No law-enforcement officer shall stop a pedestrian for a violation of this section. No evidence discovered or obtained as the result of a stop in violation of this subsection, including evidence discovered or obtained with the person's consent, shall be admissible in any trial, hearing, or other proceeding.

Code 1950, § 46-243; 1958, c. 541, § 46.1-230; 1966, c. 706; 1976, c. 322; 1981, c. 163; 1989, c. 727; 2020, Sp. Sess. I, cc. 45, 51.
Code of Virginia — Title 46.2 (Motor Vehicles), Chapter 8 (Regulation of Traffic)
§ 46.2-925. Pedestrian control signals.
Whenever pedestrian control signals exhibiting the words, numbers, or symbols meaning "Walk" or "Don't Walk" are in place such signals shall indicate and apply to pedestrians as follows:

Walk. --Pedestrians facing such signal may proceed across the highway in the direction of the signal and shall be given the right-of-way by the drivers of all vehicles.

Don't Walk. --No pedestrian shall start to cross the highway in the direction of such signal, but any pedestrian who has partially completed his crossing on the Walk signal shall proceed to a sidewalk or safety island and remain there while the Don't Walk signal is showing.

1974, c. 347, § 46.1-231.1; 1989, c. 727; 2008, c. 451.

Code of Virginia — Title 46.2 (Motor Vehicles), Chapter 8 (Regulation of Traffic)
§ 46.2-926. Pedestrians stepping into highway where they cannot be seen.
A. No pedestrian shall step into a highway open to moving vehicular traffic at any point between intersections where his presence would be obscured from the vision of drivers of approaching vehicles by a vehicle or other obstruction at the curb or side. The foregoing prohibition shall not apply to a pedestrian stepping into a highway to board a bus or to enter a safety zone, in which event he shall cross the highway only at right angles.

B. No law-enforcement officer shall stop a pedestrian for a violation of this section. No evidence discovered or obtained as the result of a stop in violation of this subsection, including evidence discovered or obtained with the person's consent, shall be admissible in any trial, hearing, or other proceeding.

Code 1950, § 46-245; 1958, c. 541, § 46.1-232; 1989, c. 727; 2020, Sp. Sess. I, cc. 45, 51.

Code of Virginia — Title 46.2 (Motor Vehicles), Chapter 8 (Regulation of Traffic)
§ 46.2-927. Boarding or alighting from buses.
When actually boarding or alighting from buses, pedestrians shall have the right-of-way over vehicles, but shall not, in order to board or alight from buses, step into the highway sooner or remain there longer than is absolutely necessary.

Code 1950, § 46-246; 1958, c. 541, § 46.1-233; 1989, c. 727.

Code of Virginia — Title 46.2 (Motor Vehicles), Chapter 8 (Regulation of Traffic)
§ 46.2-928. Pedestrians not to use roadway except when necessary; keeping to left.
Pedestrians shall not use the roadways for travel, except when necessary to do so because of the absence of sidewalks which are reasonably suitable and passable for their use. If they walk on the hard surface, or the main travelled portion of the roadway, they shall keep to the extreme left side or edge thereof, or where the shoulders of the highway are of sufficient width to permit, they may walk on either shoulder thereof.

Code 1950, § 46-247; 1950, p. 850; 1958, c. 541, § 46.1-234; 1968, c. 165; 1989, c. 727.
Code of Virginia — Title 46.2 (Motor Vehicles), Chapter 8 (Regulation of Traffic)
§ 46.2-929. Pedestrians soliciting rides.
Pedestrians shall not stand or stop in any roadway for the purpose of soliciting rides.

Code 1950, § 46-247; 1950, p. 850; 1958, c. 541, § 46.1-234; 1968, c. 165; 1989, c. 727.

Code of Virginia — Title 46.2 (Motor Vehicles), Chapter 8 (Regulation of Traffic)
§ 46.2-930. Loitering on bridges or highway rights-of-way.
Pedestrians shall not loiter on any bridge or in any portion of the right-of-way of any highway where loitering has been determined by the Commissioner of Highways or the local governing body of any county, city, or town to present a public safety hazard and on which the Commissioner of Highways or the governing body of any county, city, or town has posted signs prohibiting such action. Local jurisdictions shall obtain concurrence from the Commissioner of Highways on the placements of signs on the right-of-way of any bridge or highway under the jurisdiction and control of the Commissioner of Highways or the Virginia Department of Transportation; however, the local jurisdiction shall be responsible for all costs of the production, installation, and maintenance of the signs. Any person violating the provisions of this section shall be guilty of a traffic infraction.

1966, c. 469, § 46.1-234.1; 1978, c. 605; 1989, c. 727; 2008, c. 503; 2009, c. 432.

Code of Virginia — Title 46.2 (Motor Vehicles), Chapter 8 (Regulation of Traffic)
§ 46.2-931. Localities may prohibit or regulate distribution of handbills, etc., solicitation of contributions, and sale of merchandise or services on highways within their boundaries or on public roadways and medians.
A. Any county, city, or town is hereby authorized to adopt an ordinance prohibiting or regulating:

1. The distribution of handbills, leaflets, bulletins, literature, advertisements, or similar material to the occupants of motor vehicles on highways located within its boundaries or on public roadways and medians;

2. The solicitation of contributions of any nature from the occupants of motor vehicles on highways located within its boundaries or on public roadways and medians; and

3. The sale of merchandise or services or the attempted sale of merchandise or services to the occupants of motor vehicles on highways located within its boundaries or on public roadways and medians.

B. Ordinances adopted pursuant to this section may provide that any person violating the provisions of such ordinances shall be guilty of a traffic infraction.

C. The Virginia Department of Transportation may regulate activities within such streets and highways under its jurisdiction, subject to regulations promulgated by the Commonwealth Transportation Board. Nothing in this section shall be construed to allow any locality to permit activities within any highway under the maintenance and operational jurisdiction of the Virginia Department of Transportation.

1980, c. 113; 1989, c. 727; 2005, cc. 488, 541; 2008, cc. 120, 235, 310; 2009, cc. 422, 656, 722; 2010, cc. 378, 589.
Code of Virginia — Title 46.2 (Motor Vehicles), Chapter 8 (Regulation of Traffic)
§ 46.2-932. Playing on highways; use of toy vehicle on highways, persons riding bicycles, electric personal assistive mobility devices, electric power-assisted bicycles, mopeds, etc., not to attach to vehicles; exception.
A. No person shall play on a highway, other than on the sidewalks thereof, within a city or town or on any part of a highway outside the limits of a city or town designated by the Commissioner of Highways exclusively for vehicular travel. No person shall use any toy vehicle on the roadway of any highway that (i) has a speed limit greater than 25 miles per hour, (ii) has more than two travel lanes, or (iii) is located outside a residence district as defined in § 46.2-100. The governing bodies of counties, cities, and towns may designate areas on highways under their control where play is permitted and may impose reasonable restrictions on play on such highways. Persons using such devices, except bicycles, electric personal assistive mobility devices, electric power-assisted bicycles, mopeds, and motorcycles, shall keep as near as safely practicable to the far right side or edge of the right traffic lane so that they will be proceeding in the same direction as other traffic.

No person riding on any bicycle, electric personal assistive mobility device, electric power-assisted bicycle, moped, roller skates, skateboards or other devices on wheels or runners, shall attach the same or himself to any vehicle on a highway.

B. Notwithstanding the provisions of subsection A of this section, the governing body of Arlington County may by ordinance permit the use of devices on wheels or runners on highways under such county's control, subject to such limitations and conditions as the governing body may deem necessary and reasonable.

Code 1950, § 46-248; 1958, c. 541, § 46.1-235; 1972, c. 817; 1973, c. 288; 1981, c. 585; 1989, c. 727; 2001, cc. 170, 834; 2002, c. 254; 2004, cc. 947, 973; 2006, cc. 529, 538; 2007, cc. 209, 366, 813.
Code of Virginia — Title 46.2 (Motor Vehicles), Chapter 8 (Regulation of Traffic)
§ 46.2-932.1. Duty of driver approaching blind pedestrian; effect of failure of blind person to carry white cane or use dog guide.
The driver of a vehicle approaching a totally or partially blind pedestrian who is carrying a cane predominantly white or metallic in color (with or without a red tip) or using a dog guide shall take all necessary precautions to avoid injury to such blind pedestrian and dog guide, and any driver who fails to take such precautions shall be liable in damages for any injury caused such pedestrian and dog guide; provided that a totally or partially blind pedestrian not carrying such a cane or using a dog guide in any of the places, accommodations or conveyances listed in § 51.5-44, shall have all of the rights and privileges conferred by law upon other persons, and the failure of a totally or partially blind pedestrian to carry such a cane or to use a dog guide in any such places, accommodations or conveyances shall not be held to constitute nor be evidence of contributory negligence; provided, that nothing in this section shall be construed to limit the application of § 46.2-933 or § 46.2-934.

1972, c. 156, § 63.1-171.3; 1975, c. 473; 2002, c. 747.

Code of Virginia — Title 46.2 (Motor Vehicles), Chapter 8 (Regulation of Traffic)
§ 46.2-933. When vehicles to stop for pedestrian guided by dog or carrying white, red-tipped white, or metallic cane.
Whenever a totally or partially blind pedestrian crossing or attempting to cross a highway in accordance with the provisions of § 46.2-923 is guided by a dog guide or carrying a cane which is predominantly metallic or white in color, with or without a red tip, the driver of every vehicle approaching the intersection or place of crossing shall bring his vehicle to a full stop before arriving at such intersection or place of crossing, unless such intersection or place of crossing is controlled by a law-enforcement officer or traffic light. Any person violating any provision of this section shall be guilty of a Class 3 misdemeanor.

Code 1950, § 46-249.1; 1950, p. 1520; 1958, c. 541, § 46.1-237; 1964, c. 20; 1975, c. 117; 1982, c. 681; 1989, c. 727; 1990, c. 555.

Code of Virginia — Title 46.2 (Motor Vehicles), Chapter 8 (Regulation of Traffic)
§ 46.2-934. Failure to use cane or guide dog not contributory negligence.
Nothing contained in § 46.2-933 shall be construed to deprive any totally or partially blind or otherwise incapacitated person not carrying such a cane or walking stick or not being guided by a dog, of the rights and privileges conferred by law upon pedestrians crossing highways. Nor shall the failure of such totally or partially blind or otherwise incapacitated person to carry a cane or walking stick, or to be guided by a guide dog on the highways or sidewalks of the Commonwealth, be held to constitute nor be evidence of contributory negligence.

Code 1950, § 46-249.3; 1950, p. 1521; 1958, c. 541, § 46.1-240; 1975, c. 117; 1989, c. 727.
Code of Virginia — Title 46.2 (Motor Vehicles), Chapter 8 (Regulation of Traffic)
§ 46.2-935. Regulation by ordinance in counties, cities, and towns.
The governing bodies of counties, cities, and towns may enact ordinances requiring pedestrians to obey signs and signals erected on highways therein for the direction and control of traffic, to obey the orders of law-enforcement officers engaged in directing traffic on such highways, and may provide penalties not exceeding those of a traffic infraction.

Code 1950, § 46-250; 1950, p. 942; 1958, c. 541, § 46.1-241; 1968, c. 165; 1989, c. 727.
Code of Virginia — Title 46.2 (Motor Vehicles), Chapter 8 (Regulation of Traffic)
§ 46.2-937. Traffic infractions treated as misdemeanors for arrest purposes.
For purposes of arrest, traffic infractions shall be treated as misdemeanors. Except as otherwise provided by this title, the authority and duties of arresting officers shall be the same for traffic infractions as for misdemeanors.

1977, c. 585, § 46.1-178.01; 1989, c. 727.

Code of Virginia — Title 46.2 (Motor Vehicles), Chapter 8 (Regulation of Traffic)
§ 46.2-938. Issuance of warrant upon failure to comply with summons; penalties; suspension of licenses for failure to appear.
Upon the failure of any person to comply with the terms of a summons or notice as provided in § 46.2-936, such person shall be guilty of a Class 1 misdemeanor and the court may order a warrant for his arrest. The warrant shall be returnable to the court having jurisdiction of the offense and shall be accompanied by a report by the arresting officer which shall clearly identify the person arrested, specifying the section of the Code of Virginia or ordinance violated, the location of the offense, a description of the motor vehicle and its registration or license number.

If the warrant is returned to the court with the notation "not found" or the person named in the warrant does not appear on the return date thereof, the court shall forward a certificate of the fact of nonservice or nonappearance, with a copy of the report specified in the foregoing provisions of this section, to the Commissioner of the Department of Motor Vehicles, who shall forthwith suspend the driver's license of such person. The order of suspension shall specify the reason for the suspension. Such suspension shall continue until such time as the court has notified the Commissioner that the defendant has appeared before the court under the terms of the summons or notice and the warrant.

1974, c. 372, § 46.1-178.1; 1975, c. 201; 1981, c. 382; 1984, c. 780; 1989, c. 727.

Code of Virginia — Title 46.2 (Motor Vehicles), Chapter 8 (Regulation of Traffic)
§ 46.2-939. Authority of law-enforcement officers to issue subpoenas.
Local law-enforcement officers and state police officers, in the course of their duties in the investigation of any accident involving a motor vehicle or vehicles, may, at the scene of any such accident, issue a subpoena to any witness to appear in court and testify with respect to any criminal charge brought against any person as a result of such accident. State police officers, additionally, may issue such subpoenas at any other location within seventy-two hours of the time of such accident, with the return of service thereof made to the appropriate court clerk within forty-eight hours after such service. A subpoena so issued shall have the same force and effect as if issued by the court.

Any person failing to appear in response to a subpoena issued as provided in this section shall be punished as provided by law.

1975, c. 138, § 46.1-178.2; 1986, c. 40; 1989, c. 727.
Code of Virginia — Title 46.2 (Motor Vehicles), Chapter 8 (Regulation of Traffic)
§ 46.2-940. When arresting officer shall take person before issuing authority.
If any person is (i) believed by the arresting officer to have committed a felony or (ii) believed by the arresting officer to be likely to disregard a summons issued under § 46.2-936, the arresting officer shall promptly take him before a magistrate or other issuing authority having jurisdiction and proceed in accordance with the provisions of § 19.2-82. The magistrate or other authority may issue either a summons or warrant as he shall determine proper.

Code 1950, § 46-194; 1958, c. 541, § 46.1-179; 1966, c. 639; 1972, c. 474; 1981, c. 382; 1989, c. 727; 2006, c. 276; 2020, cc. 964, 965; 2021, Sp. Sess. I, c. 338.

Code of Virginia — Title 46.2 (Motor Vehicles), Chapter 8 (Regulation of Traffic)
§ 46.2-941. Conditions precedent to issuance of summons for violation of parking ordinance; notice.
Before any summons shall be issued for the prosecution of a violation of an ordinance of any county, city, or town regulating parking, the violator shall have been first notified by mail at his last known address or at the address shown for such violator on the records of the Department of Motor Vehicles, that he may pay the fine provided by law for such violation, within five days of receipt of such notice, and the authorized person issuing such summons shall be notified that the violator has failed to pay such fine within such time. The notice to the violator, required by the provisions of this section, shall be contained in an envelope bearing the words "Law-Enforcement Notice" stamped or printed on the face thereof in all capital letters, bold face type, no smaller than the print type size used for the primary address on the envelope. If "window" envelopes are used, the words "Law-Enforcement Notice" shall be clearly visible through the window of the envelope.

1968, c. 388, § 46.1-179.01; 1970, c. 510; 1978, c. 194; 1983, c. 329; 1989, c. 727; 1999, cc. 291, 323; 2002, c. 102.

Code of Virginia — Title 46.2 (Motor Vehicles), Chapter 8 (Regulation of Traffic)
§ 46.2-942. Admissibility of results of speedometer test in prosecution for exceeding speed limit.
In the trial of any person charged with exceeding any maximum speed limit in the Commonwealth, the court shall receive as evidence a sworn report of the results of a calibration test of the accuracy of the speedometer in the motor vehicle operated by the defendant or the arresting officer at the time of the alleged offense. The report shall be considered by the court or jury in both determining guilt or innocence and in fixing punishment.

1966, c. 687, § 46.1-193.1; 1970, c. 11; 1975, c. 202; 1989, c. 727.
Code of Virginia — Title 46.2 (Motor Vehicles), Chapter 8 (Regulation of Traffic)
§ 46.2-943. Court or jury may consider defendant's prior traffic record before sentencing.
The term "traffic offense" when used in this section shall mean any moving traffic violation described or enumerated in subdivisions A 1 and 2 of § 46.2-382, whether such violation was committed within or outside the Commonwealth according to the records of the Department of Motor Vehicles.

The term "prior traffic record" when used in this section shall mean the record of prior suspensions and revocations of a driver's license, and the record of prior convictions of traffic offenses described in the foregoing provisions of this section.

When any person is found guilty of a traffic offense, the court or jury trying the case may consider the prior traffic record of the defendant before imposing sentence as provided by law. After the prior traffic record of the defendant has been introduced, the defendant shall be afforded an opportunity to present evidence limited to showing the nature of his prior convictions, suspensions, and revocations.

1975, c. 577, §§ 46.1-347.1, 46.1-347.2; 1984, c. 780; 1989, c. 727.
Code of Virginia — Title 47.1 (Notaries and Out-of-State Commissioners), Chapter 1 (GENERAL PROVISIONS)
§ 47.1-1. Short title.
This title may be cited as the "Virginia Notary Act."

1980, c. 580.
Code of Virginia — Title 47.1 (Notaries and Out-of-State Commissioners), Chapter 2 (Appointment)
§ 47.1-10. Records of the Secretary.
The Secretary of the Commonwealth shall keep a record of the names of all notaries public and electronic notaries public and the dates of their registration and qualification. The Secretary shall also retain a specimen of the signature of each notary commissioned pursuant to this chapter. The specimen may be retained in photographic form.

The Secretary shall also be required to retain the completed applications of persons seeking appointment as notary public for a period of three months after their receipt; provided, however, that he shall retain the applications of persons refused appointment for not less than four years.

The Secretary may maintain these records in digital format.

Code 1950, § 47-2; 1962, p. 687; 1976, c. 559; 1979, c. 14; 1980, c. 580; 2007, cc. 269, 590.

Code of Virginia — Title 47.1 (Notaries and Out-of-State Commissioners), Chapter 2 (Appointment)
§ 47.1-11. Reference materials.
The Secretary shall prepare, from time to time, reference materials for notaries public and electronic notaries public which shall contain the provisions of this title and such other information as the Secretary shall deem useful. Copies of the reference materials shall be made available to persons seeking appointment as notaries public and electronic notaries public as well as to other interested persons. The Secretary may make the materials available in digital format but shall provide written copies of the materials upon request.

1980, c. 580; 2007, cc. 269, 590.
Code of Virginia — Title 47.1 (Notaries and Out-of-State Commissioners), Chapter 2 (Appointment)
§ 47.1-11.1. Evidence of authenticity of electronic notarial act.
A. Form of evidence of authority of electronic notarial act. On a notarized electronic document transmitted to another state or country outside of the United States, electronic evidence of the authenticity of the official signature and seal of an electronic notary of the Commonwealth of Virginia, if required, shall be attached to or logically associated with the document and shall be in the form of an electronic certificate of authority signed by the Secretary that is independently verifiable, will be invalidated if the underlying document is improperly modified, and is in conformance with any current and pertinent international treaties, agreements, and conventions subscribed to by the government of the United States.

B. Certificate of authority for electronic notarial act. An electronic certificate of authority evidencing the authenticity of the official signature and seal of an electronic notary of the Commonwealth of Virginia shall contain substantially the following words:

Certificate of Authority for an Electronic Notarial Act

I,......… (name and title), certify that................… (name of
electronic notary), the person named as Electronic Notary Public in the
attached or associated electronic document, was commissioned as an Electronic
Notary Public for the Commonwealth of Virginia and authorized to act as such
at the time of the document's electronic notarization.

To verify this Certificate of Authority for an Electronic Notarial Act, I
have included herewith my electronic signature this … day of............,
20.…

(Electronic signature and seal of commissioning official)

C. For issuing an electronic certificate of authority, the Secretary may charge a fee in an amount set by the Secretary.

2007, cc. 269, 590.

Code of Virginia — Title 47.1 (Notaries and Out-of-State Commissioners), Chapter 2 (Appointment)
§ 47.1-3. Power of appointment.
The Governor may appoint in and for the Commonwealth as many notaries as to him shall seem proper. Any person who acts as a notary in the Commonwealth shall register with and be commissioned by the Secretary of the Commonwealth and otherwise be in compliance with the provisions of this title.

Code 1950, § 47-2; 1962, p. 287; 1972, c. 824; 1976, c. 559; 1979, c. 14; 1980, c. 580; 2007, cc. 269, 590.
Code of Virginia — Title 47.1 (Notaries and Out-of-State Commissioners), Chapter 2 (Appointment)
§ 47.1-4. Qualification for appointment.
To be qualified to be commissioned as a notary in the Commonwealth, each such person (i) shall be at least 18 years of age, (ii) shall be a legal resident of the United States, (iii) shall be able to read and write the English language, (iv) shall never have been convicted of a felony under the laws of the United States, the Commonwealth, or any other state, unless such person has been pardoned for such felony, has had his conviction vacated by the granting of a writ of actual innocence, or has had his rights restored, and (v) shall otherwise be in compliance with the provisions of this title. A nonresident of Virginia may register and be commissioned as a notary only if he is regularly employed in the Commonwealth and meets all of the requirements of this section. A member of the armed services of the United States shall be eligible to register and be commissioned as a notary notwithstanding the provisions of § 2.2-2800.

Code 1950, §§ 47-2, 47-3; 1972, c. 824; 1976, c. 559; 1979, c. 14; 1980, c. 580; 1983, c. 435; 1986, c. 561; 1989, c. 163; 2007, cc. 269, 590; 2013, c. 86.

Code of Virginia — Title 47.1 (Notaries and Out-of-State Commissioners), Chapter 2 (Appointment)
§ 47.1-5. Application.
No person shall be commissioned as a notary public or electronic notary public pursuant to this title until he submits an application fee as set forth in § 2.2-409 and a complete and correct application to the Secretary of the Commonwealth, in a form prescribed by the Secretary, which shall include the oath of the applicant, signed and sworn before some officer authorized by law to administer oaths, that the answers to all questions on the application are true and complete to the best of his knowledge and that he is qualified to be appointed and commissioned as a notary public. The Secretary may accept applications by electronic means.

Any application fee shall be waived for an application filed by a clerk or deputy clerk of a circuit or district court.

Code 1950, § 47-2; 1962, p. 687; 1976, c. 559; 1979, c. 14; 1980, c. 580; 2001, c. 488; 2002, c. 832; 2007, cc. 269, 590; 2008, cc. 117, 814.
Code of Virginia — Title 47.1 (Notaries and Out-of-State Commissioners), Chapter 2 (Appointment)
§ 47.1-5.1. Application for recommission.
Persons already commissioned as notaries public or electronic notaries public pursuant to this title and who are submitting application for recommission as a notary or electronic notary may submit applications to the Secretary in person, by first-class mail, or online, provided online applications contain electronic signatures, authorized by the Uniform Electronic Transactions Act (§ 59.1-479 et seq.). No person applying for recommission shall be required to include the oath of the applicant required for commission by § 47.1-5, provided that such applicant is in good standing as a notary public or electronic notary public, is not subject to any investigation or proceeding, and has never been removed from office pursuant to Chapter 5 (§ 47.1-24 et seq.).

2011, cc. 123, 177; 2014, c. 703; 2024, c. 569.

Code of Virginia — Title 47.1 (Notaries and Out-of-State Commissioners), Chapter 2 (Appointment)
§ 47.1-6. Reserved.
Reserved.

Code of Virginia — Title 47.1 (Notaries and Out-of-State Commissioners), Chapter 2 (Appointment)
§ 47.1-6.1. Standards for electronic notarization.
The Secretary of the Commonwealth shall develop standards for electronic notarization and the Virginia Information Technologies Agency shall provide assistance to the Secretary of the Commonwealth relating to the equipment, security, and technological aspects of the electronic notarization standards. The process for developing and maintaining such standards shall be exempt from the Administrative Process Act (§ 2.2-4000 et seq.).

2009, c. 160.

Code of Virginia — Title 47.1 (Notaries and Out-of-State Commissioners), Chapter 2 (Appointment)
§ 47.1-7. Additional requirements for performing electronic notarial acts.
A. An applicant shall submit a registration form established by the Secretary for registering and being commissioned as an electronic notary public, which shall include:

1. The applicant's full legal and official notary names;

2. A general description of the technology or technologies the registrant will use to create an electronic signature in performing official acts;

3. Certification of compliance to the Secretary of the Commonwealth with electronic notary standards developed in accordance with § 47.1-6.1; and

4. The electronic mail address of the registrant.

B. The registration form shall (i) be signed by the applicant using the electronic signature described in the form; (ii) include any decrypting instructions, codes, keys, or software that allow the registration to be read; and (iii) be transmitted electronically to the Secretary.

C. Nothing herein shall be construed to prevent an electronic notary from using updated technology or technologies during the term of the commission; however, the electronic notary shall notify the Secretary electronically within 90 days of installation or use of such updated technology or technologies and provide a brief description thereof.

2007, cc. 269, 590; 2009, c. 160; 2011, cc. 731, 834.
Code of Virginia — Title 47.1 (Notaries and Out-of-State Commissioners), Chapter 2 (Appointment)
§ 47.1-8. Commission to be issued, etc.
Upon receipt of a completed application and the correct fee, the Secretary, if satisfied the applicant is qualified to be registered and commissioned as a notary public or electronic notary public, shall prepare a notary commission for the applicant which shall include a registration number and forward the commission for a notary public or electronic notary public to the clerk of the circuit court in which the applicant shall elect to qualify. The Secretary shall thereupon notify the applicant that the commission has been granted and where and how it may be secured. An electronic notary public may act as a notary public in all respects upon being commissioned as an electronic notary public.

Code 1950, § 47-2; 1962, p. 687; 1976, c. 559; 1979, c. 14; 1980, c. 580; 2007, cc. 269, 590; 2008, cc. 117, 814.

Code of Virginia — Title 47.1 (Notaries and Out-of-State Commissioners), Chapter 2 (Appointment)
§ 47.1-9. Oath of notary; duties of clerks.
Before receiving his commission, each person appointed a notary shall appear before the clerk of the circuit court to which his commission has been sent, present sufficient satisfaction of evidence of identity as defined in § 47.1-2, and make oath as follows:

"I,................, solemnly swear (or affirm) under penalty of perjury, that I have carefully read the notary laws of this Commonwealth, and am familiar with their provisions; that I will uphold the Constitution of the United States and the Constitution and laws of the Commonwealth of Virginia; and that I will faithfully perform, to the best of my ability, the duties of the office of notary public."

Such oath shall be signed by the applicant and attested by the clerk. The clerk shall thereupon issue to the applicant his commission as notary public or electronic notary public. Within 14 days of such qualification, the clerk shall certify the fact of such qualification to the Secretary of the Commonwealth.

No person shall be permitted to qualify who does not appear before the clerk within 60 days of his appointment. The clerk of each circuit court shall, at least once each month, return to the Secretary all commissions which have not been claimed within such 60-day period, and the Secretary shall forthwith cancel the same.

1980, c. 580; 2007, cc. 269, 590; 2008, cc. 117, 814; 2012, c. 566.
Code of Virginia — Title 47.1 (Notaries and Out-of-State Commissioners), Chapter 3 (POWERS AND DUTIES)
§ 47.1-12. Powers.
Each notary shall be empowered to perform the following notarial acts: (i) take acknowledgments, (ii) administer oaths and affirmations, (iii) certify that a copy of any document, other than a document in the custody of a court, is a true copy thereof, (iv) certify affidavits or depositions of witnesses, (v) perform verification of fact, and (vi) perform such other acts as may be specifically permitted by law.

Code 1950, § 47-2.1; 1978, c. 621; 1980, c. 580; 2007, cc. 269, 590; 2011, cc. 731, 834.

Code of Virginia — Title 47.1 (Notaries and Out-of-State Commissioners), Chapter 3 (POWERS AND DUTIES)
§ 47.1-13. Jurisdiction; Virginia notarial powers outside the Commonwealth.
A. The powers of any notary commissioned pursuant to this title may be exercised anywhere within the Commonwealth of Virginia.

B. Any notary commissioned pursuant to this title may likewise perform notarial acts outside the Commonwealth, where such notarial acts are performed in accordance with this chapter.

C. An employee of the federal government authorized to perform notarial acts may perform notarial acts in accordance with this chapter.

D. An electronic notarial act performed in accordance with this chapter shall be deemed to have been performed within the Commonwealth and is governed by Virginia law.

Code 1950, § 47-2.1; 1978, c. 621; 1980, c. 580; 2007, cc. 269, 590; 2008, cc. 117, 814; 2011, cc. 731, 834.
Code of Virginia — Title 47.1 (Notaries and Out-of-State Commissioners), Chapter 3 (POWERS AND DUTIES)
§ 47.1-13.1. Notarial powers outside the Commonwealth for use in the Commonwealth.
A. As used in this section, "notarial act" means an act, whether performed with respect to a tangible or electronic document, that a notary public commissioned in the Commonwealth may perform under the laws and regulations of the Commonwealth.

B. Notarial acts may be performed outside the Commonwealth for use in the Commonwealth with the same effect as if performed by a notary public of the Commonwealth by the following persons authorized pursuant to the laws and regulations of other governments in addition to any other person authorized by the laws and regulations of the Commonwealth:

1. A notary public authorized to perform notarial acts under the laws of that jurisdiction;

2. A judge, clerk, or deputy clerk of any court of record in the place in which the notarial act is performed;

3. An officer of the foreign service of the United States, a consular agent, or any other person authorized by regulation of the United States Department of State to perform notarial acts in the place in which the act is performed;

4. A commissioned officer in active service with the armed forces of the United States and any other person authorized by regulation of the armed forces to perform notarial acts if the notarial act is performed for one of the following or his dependents: a merchant seaman of the United States, a member of the armed forces of the United States, or any other person serving with or accompanying the armed forces of the United States; or

5. Any person authorized to perform acts in the place in which the act is performed.

C. A document notarized outside the Commonwealth by a notary public or other person referenced in subsection B that appears on its face to be properly notarized shall be presumed to have been notarized properly in accordance with the laws and regulations of the jurisdiction in which the document was notarized.

2008, cc. 117, 814; 2025, c. 209.
Code of Virginia — Title 47.1 (Notaries and Out-of-State Commissioners), Chapter 3 (POWERS AND DUTIES)
§ 47.1-15. Prohibitions.
A notary shall not:

1. Notarize a document if the signer is not in the presence of the notary at the time of notarization, unless (i) in the case of an electronic notarization, satisfactory evidence of the identity of the signer is established in accordance with § 47.1-2 or (ii) otherwise authorized by law to do so.

2. Use the official notary title or seal to endorse, promote, denounce, or oppose any product, service, contest, candidate, or other offering.

3. Notarize a signature on a document without notarial certificate wording on the same page as the signature unless the notarial certificate includes the name of each person whose signature is being notarized.

4. Affix an official signature or seal on a notarial certificate that is incomplete.

A notary shall not perform any official act with the intent to deceive or defraud.

A nonattorney notary shall not assist another person in drafting, completing, selecting, or understanding a document or transaction requiring a notarial act. This section does not preclude a notary who is duly qualified, trained, or experienced in a particular industry or professional field from selecting, drafting, completing, or advising on a document or certificate related to a matter within that industry or field or prevent a notary from adding a notarial certificate or electronic notarial certificate to a paper or electronic document at the direction of a principal or lawful authority.

A notary may decline to notarize a document.

Any document notarized prior to July 1, 2008, which does not have the notarial certificate wording on the same page as the signature, but otherwise appears on its face to be properly notarized, shall be deemed validly notarized.

2007, cc. 269, 590; 2008, c. 685; 2011, cc. 731, 834.
Code of Virginia — Title 47.1 (Notaries and Out-of-State Commissioners), Chapter 3 (POWERS AND DUTIES)
§ 47.1-15.1. Additional prohibition on advertising; penalties.
A. A notary public shall not offer or provide legal advice on immigration or other legal matters, or represent any person in immigration proceedings, unless such notary public is authorized or licensed to practice law in the Commonwealth or is accredited pursuant to 8 C.F.R. § 292.2 to practice immigration law or represent persons in immigration proceedings.

B. A notary public shall not assume, use, or advertise the title of "notario," "notario publico," or "licenciado," or a term in a language other than English that indicates in such language that the notary is authorized to provide legal advice or practice law, unless such notary public is authorized or licensed to practice law in Virginia.

C. Any person who violates the provisions of subsection B is subject to a civil penalty not to exceed $500 for a first violation and a civil penalty not to exceed $1,000 for a second or subsequent violation. All penalties arising under this section shall be recovered in a civil action brought by the Attorney General in the name of the Commonwealth and the proceeds shall be deposited into the Legal Aid Services Fund established in § 17.1-278.

D. Nothing in this section shall preempt or preclude additional civil, administrative, or criminal penalties authorized by law.

2014, cc. 544, 783.
Code of Virginia — Title 47.1 (Notaries and Out-of-State Commissioners), Chapter 3 (POWERS AND DUTIES)
§ 47.1-16. Notarizations to show date of act, official signature and seal, etc.
A. Every notarization shall include the date upon which the notarial act was performed and the county or city and state in which it was performed. Every electronic notarial certificate completed by an electronic notary public commissioned in the Commonwealth shall include the county or city within the Commonwealth where the electronic notary public was physically located at the time of the notarial act. The electronic notarial certificate shall indicate whether the notarization was done in person or by remote online notarization.

B. A notarial act shall be evidenced by a notarial certificate or electronic notarial certificate signed by a notary in a manner that attributes such signature to the notary public identified on the commission.

C. Upon every writing that is the subject of a notarial act, the notary shall, after his certificate, state the date of the expiration of his commission in substantially the following form:

"My commission expires the____ day of_____________, _____"

Near the notary's official signature on the notarial certificate of a paper document, the notary shall affix a sharp, legible, permanent, and photographically reproducible image of the official seal, or, to an electronic document, the notary shall attach an official electronic seal.

D. The notary shall attach the official electronic signature and electronic seal to the electronic notarial certificate of an electronic document in a manner that is capable of independent verification and renders any subsequent changes or modifications to the electronic document evident.

E. An electronic notary's electronic signature and electronic seal shall conform to the standards for electronic notarization developed in accordance with § 47.1-6.1.

Code 1950, § 55-116; 1980, c. 580; 2007, cc. 269, 590; 2008, cc. 117, 814; 2009, c. 160; 2021, Sp. Sess. I, c. 78; 2024, c. 832.

Code of Virginia — Title 47.1 (Notaries and Out-of-State Commissioners), Chapter 3 (POWERS AND DUTIES)
§ 47.1-17. Change of name.
Any notary duly registered and commissioned in this Commonwealth, who shall legally change his name during his term of office as a notary shall, after such change of name, when performing any notarial act, have written or printed in or annexed to each certificate the words: "I was commissioned notary as........," or the equivalent. However, any electronic notary public who shall legally change his name shall make application with the Secretary for a new electronic notary commission within 90 days of such legal name change.

Code 1950, § 55-117; 1973, c. 401; 1980, c. 580; 2007, cc. 269, 590.
Code of Virginia — Title 47.1 (Notaries and Out-of-State Commissioners), Chapter 3 (POWERS AND DUTIES)
§ 47.1-18. Notice of change of address; etc.
A. Any notary public who changes the address of his residence shall forthwith notify the Secretary of the fact by mailing or delivering a written notice which shall contain the new address, or in electronic format as the Secretary may prescribe.

B. Any notary who is commissioned as a nonresident shall notify the Secretary of the Commonwealth of any change in his place of employment.

1980, c. 580; 2007, cc. 269, 590.

Code of Virginia — Title 47.1 (Notaries and Out-of-State Commissioners), Chapter 3 (POWERS AND DUTIES)
§ 47.1-19. Fees.
A. A notary may, for taking and certifying the acknowledgment of any writing, or administering and certifying an oath, or certifying affidavits and depositions of witnesses, or certifying that a copy of a document is a true copy thereof, charge a fee up to $10.

B. A notary may, for taking and certifying the acknowledgement of any electronic document, or administering and certifying an oath or affirmation, or certifying electronic affidavits and depositions of witnesses, or certifying that a copy of an electronic document is a true copy thereof, charge a fee not to exceed $25.

C. Any person appointed as a member of an electoral board or a general registrar shall be prohibited from collecting any fee as a notary during the time of such appointment. Any person appointed as a deputy registrar or officer of election shall be prohibited from collecting any fee as a notary for services relating to the administration of elections or the election laws.

D. It shall be unlawful for any notary to charge more than the fee established herein for any notarial act; however, a notary may recover, with the agreement of the person to be charged, any actual and reasonable expense of traveling to a place where a notarial act is to be performed if it is not the usual place in which the notary performs his office.

1980, c. 580; 1981, c. 311; 1996, c. 219; 2003, c. 881; 2005, c. 18; 2007, cc. 227, 269, 590; 2022, c. 140; 2024, c. 310.

Code of Virginia — Title 47.1 (Notaries and Out-of-State Commissioners), Chapter 3 (POWERS AND DUTIES)
§ 47.1-20. Fee agreements with employer.
A. Any employer, as a condition of employment of a person who is a notary, may require the employee to perform notarial acts in the course of or in connection with such employment without charging the fee allowed by law for the performance of such acts.

B. Any employer may require a notary in his employment to surrender to such employer a fee, if charged, or any part thereof, provided that the notarial act for which the fee is charged is performed during the course of such employee's employment.

1980, c. 580; 2007, cc. 269, 590; 2018, c. 698.
Code of Virginia — Title 47.1 (Notaries and Out-of-State Commissioners), Chapter 3 (POWERS AND DUTIES)
§ 47.1-20.1. Validation of certain acts.
A. Oaths of office administered by a notary public on or before July 1, 1982, are hereby deemed to be valid and actions of any public officer taking such oaths are hereby deemed valid.

B. No notarial act performed by a notary public shall be invalidated solely because of the failure of such notary public to perform a duty or meet a requirement specified in this title. However, the validity of a notarial act shall not prohibit an aggrieved person from seeking to invalidate the record or transaction that is the subject of such notarial act or from seeking other remedies authorized by the laws of the Commonwealth or laws of the United States. Nothing in this subsection shall be construed to validate a purported notarial act performed by an individual who is not authorized to perform such notarial acts.

1983, c. 435; 2024, c. 832.
Code of Virginia — Title 47.1 (Notaries and Out-of-State Commissioners), Chapter 4 (TERM OF OFFICE)
§ 47.1-21. Commission as notary.
The commission of a notary public shall be four years, except as shall be otherwise provided in this title. The commission of a notary public shall expire in the fourth calendar year after issuance of his commission on the last day of the month in which the notary was born.

1980, c. 580; 1989, c. 594; 2007, cc. 269, 590.

Code of Virginia — Title 47.1 (Notaries and Out-of-State Commissioners), Chapter 4 (TERM OF OFFICE)
§ 47.1-22. Resignation; removal from Commonwealth; etc.
A. A notary may resign his commission by mailing or delivering to the Secretary a letter of resignation.

B. Any notary who ceases to be a resident of the Commonwealth of Virginia shall, from that time, cease to be a notary; provided, however, that such notary may maintain his commission with the written consent of the Secretary if he meets the qualifications for nonresident appointment under § 47.1-4.

C. Any nonresident notary who ceases to be employed in this Commonwealth shall forthwith cease to be a notary.

D. Every notary who wishes to resign from office, or who ceases to be a notary pursuant to subsections B or C of this section, 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.

E. Every electronic notary who wishes to resign his commission or who ceases to be a notary pursuant to this section shall forthwith erase, delete, or destroy the coding, disk, certificate, card, software, or password that enables electronic affixation of the notary's official electronic signature or seal and so certify to the Secretary.

F. A former electronic notary, whose previous commission or application was not revoked or denied, need not erase, delete, or destroy the coding, disk, certificate, card, software, or password that enables electronic affixation of the notary's official electronic signature or seal if he is recommissioned and reregistered as an electronic notary using the same electronic signature and seal within three months after commission expiration.

1980, c. 580; 2007, cc. 269, 590.