reglab/statecodes huggingface dataset:
2023 Code of Virginia › Title 55.1 - Property and Conveyances › Chapter 5 - Commutation and Valuation of Certain Estates and Interests › § 55.1-505. Commutation in case of persons under disability

In any case in which, under the laws of the Commonwealth, a provision is made for commutation in money of a life estate when all the parties interested are under no disability, such provision shall also apply when any of the parties interested are under disability. Where any of the parties interested are under disability, the court may, upon application of the guardian, conservator, committee, or trustee, if any, and, if not, by a guardian ad litem appointed by the clerk or judge of said court, of any such person, on behalf of his ward, and upon hearing evidence satisfactory to such court or judge, enter an order authorizing such guardian, conservator, committee, trustee, or guardian ad litem to consent on behalf of such person under disability to such commutation. Such consent shall be as valid and effective as if the person on whose behalf it was given were sui juris and had given such consent. All judicial orders and decrees entered prior to July 1, 1960, authorizing any such commutation where persons under disability were interested, are hereby validated and confirmed, provided that nothing in this section shall be construed as intended to impair any vested right.
1926, p. 746; Michie Code 1942, § 5133b; 1948, p. 682; Code 1950, § 55-276; 1960, c. 45; 1997, c. 801; 2019, c. 712.
2023 Code of Virginia › Title 55.1 - Property and Conveyances › Chapter 5 - Commutation and Valuation of Certain Estates and Interests › § 55.1-506. Commutation of certain life estates

Whenever a party as tenant for life, or in any other manner, has a life interest in an estate that has been sold under an action for partition or has been reduced to money, stocks, bonds, or notes, susceptible of division and when the total cost of holding such money, stocks, bonds, or notes intact amounts to more than eight percent of the gross annual income, and when the party owning such life estate is willing to accept a lump sum in lieu of such annual income, upon the application of such person entitled to such annual income to any court of record having jurisdiction over the subject matter, the court may order that such party or parties having charge of such money, stocks, bonds, or notes shall pay to the party having the right to receive such annual income a lump sum in accordance with § 55.1-500. This section shall not affect any spendthrift trust.
1926, p. 361; Michie Code 1942, § 5133a; Code 1950, § 55-277; 1973, c. 355; 1981, c. 612; 1990, c. 831; 2005, c. 681; 2019, c. 712.
2023 Code of Virginia › Title 55.1 - Property and Conveyances › Chapter 5.1 - Foreign Entities and Property Ownership › § 55.1-507. Definitions

As used in this chapter, unless the context requires a different meaning:
"Agricultural land" means real estate in the Commonwealth used or zoned in a manner that would permit the use of the real estate for an agricultural operation.
"Agricultural operation" means any operation devoted to the bona fide production of crops, animals, or fowl, including the production of fruits and vegetables of any kind; meat, dairy, and poultry products; nuts, tobacco, nursery, and floral products; and the production and harvest of products from silvicultural activity.
"Department" means the Department of Agriculture and Consumer Services.
"Foreign adversary" means any foreign government or nongovernment person determined by the U.S. Secretary of Commerce to have engaged in a long-term pattern or serious instances of conduct significantly adverse to the national security of the United States or security and safety of United States persons, as set forth in 15 C.F.R. § 7.4 or such successor regulation, declaration, or statute as may exist from time to time.
"Interest in agricultural land" means any right, title, or interest, direct or indirect, in and to (i) agricultural land or (ii) any entity or other organization that holds any right, title, or interest, direct or indirect, in and to agricultural land. For purposes of this definition, any interest that taken on its own or together with any other interest held in common or under common control does not give the holder of the interest the ability to possess or occupy the agricultural land in any manner or the power or authority to direct the conduct of the agricultural operation being conducted on the agricultural land, shall not be deemed an "interest in agricultural land" for purposes of this chapter.
2023, cc. 765, 796, 2023, Sp. Sess. I, c. 1.
2023 Code of Virginia › Title 55.1 - Property and Conveyances › Chapter 5.1 - Foreign Entities and Property Ownership › § 55.1-508. Foreign adversary acquisition of agricultural land prohibited

A. Notwithstanding any other provision of law, in order to protect the health, safety, and welfare of all citizens of the Commonwealth, on and after July 1, 2023, no foreign adversary shall acquire any interest in agricultural land in the Commonwealth.
B. Any acquisition of any interest in agricultural land in violation of this section shall be void, and title to such interest in agricultural land shall be deemed to have vested as of the date of such purported acquisition in the name of the Commonwealth without any payment of consideration of any kind by the Commonwealth. The foreign adversary purporting to acquire such interest in agricultural land shall be barred from making a claim against any party for restitution of the purchase price paid by such foreign adversary in connection with such interest in agricultural land or for any other kind of payment relating to the foreign adversary's loss or lack of title to such interest in agricultural land. Any lien that has attached to such interest in agricultural land during the foreign adversary's purported acquisition or ownership shall remain a valid lien against the interest during such time as the interest is held by the Commonwealth except that such lien shall not be subject to foreclosure during the period of the Commonwealth's ownership nor shall the Commonwealth be subject to the terms of any agreement giving rise to the lien. The Commonwealth may hold or dispose of such interest in agricultural land in any proper manner.
C. Notwithstanding the provisions in subsection B, if the foreign adversary has subsequently sold or transferred the interest in agricultural land to a person or entity that is not a foreign adversary, title to such interest in agricultural land shall be vested in the subsequent non-foreign adversary purchaser or transferee and shall be valid as if the purported acquisition of such interest in agricultural land by a foreign adversary has not occurred.
D. If an interest in agricultural land has been acquired in violation of this section, a county, city, or town attorney for the locality in which the agricultural land is located, the Attorney General, or any non-foreign adversary person that was a party to the void transaction or is a subsequent holder of such interest may file an action (i) to eject the foreign adversary from possession, (ii) to quiet title to such property, or (iii) for any other appropriate action to ratify the nullification of the transaction. Any action brought pursuant to this subsection shall be filed in the circuit court where the subject property is located.
E. This section shall not be applied in a manner inconsistent with any provision of any treaty between the United States and another country.
2023, cc. 765, 796.
2023 Code of Virginia › Title 55.1 - Property and Conveyances › Chapter 5.1 - Foreign Entities and Property Ownership › § 55.1-509. Reporting requirements

A. Based on the reports submitted to it pursuant to the federal Agricultural Foreign Investment Disclosure Act, 7 U.S.C. § 3501 et seq., and other information the Department, at its discretion, deems appropriate, the Department shall compile an annual report in consultation with the appropriate state agencies and boards for each calendar year containing all of the following, if available:
1. The total amount of agricultural land that is under foreign ownership;
2. The percentage change in foreign ownership of agricultural land in the Commonwealth for each year over the prior 10 years;
3. The purpose for which foreign-owned agricultural land in the Commonwealth is being used currently. To the extent such information is available, the Department shall also include any significant recent changes or trends in the uses of foreign-owned agricultural land in the Commonwealth;
4. With the assistance of relevant state agencies, information regarding the extent of, and any recent changes in, foreign ownership of energy production, storage, or distribution facilities in the Commonwealth to the extent such information is available; and
5. Any legislative, regulatory, or administrative policy changes the Department recommends in light of the information in this report.
B. The Department shall publish its inaugural report pursuant to subsection A on its website no later than July 1, 2023, and each subsequent report pursuant to subsection A no later than July 1 of each following year. The Department shall also deliver copies of such report to the Governor, the General Assembly, and the Chairmen of the Senate Committee on Agriculture, Conservation and Natural Resources and the House Committee on Agriculture, Chesapeake and Natural Resources.
2023, cc. 765, 796.
2023 Code of Virginia › Title 55.1 - Property and Conveyances › Chapter 6 - Recordation of Documents › § 55.1-600. When and where writings recorded

Except when it is otherwise provided, the circuit court of any county or city, or the clerk of any such court, or his duly qualified deputy, in his office, shall record any such writing as to any person whose name is signed thereto with an original signature, when it shall have been acknowledged by him, or proved by two witnesses as to him in such court, or before such clerk, or his duly qualified deputy, in his office, or the manner prescribed in Articles 2 (§ 55.1-612 et seq.), 3 (§ 55.1-616 et seq.), and 4 (§ 55.1-624 et seq.). When such writing is signed by a person acting on behalf of another, or in any representative capacity, the signature of such representative may be acknowledged or proved in the same manner.
Code 1919, § 5204; Code 1950, § 55-106; 1972, c. 130; 1994, c. 554; 2014, c. 338; 2019, c. 712.
2023 Code of Virginia › Title 55.1 - Property and Conveyances › Chapter 6 - Recordation of Documents › § 55.1-601. Recording and indexing of certain documents showing changes of names

A duly authenticated copy of a marriage license with the certificate of the person celebrating the marriage or a duly authenticated copy of a final order of divorce showing a change of name of a woman shall be entitled to be recorded in the clerk's office in which deeds are recorded of the county or city in which any land, or an interest in any land, that is owned by such woman lies and shall be indexed by such clerk in the grantor and grantee indices in his office.
1958, c. 220, § 55-106.1; 2019, c. 712.
2023 Code of Virginia › Title 55.1 - Property and Conveyances › Chapter 6 - Recordation of Documents › § 55.1-602. Presumption that recorded writings are in proper form

A writing that is not properly notarized in accordance with the laws of the Commonwealth shall not invalidate the underlying document; however, any such writing shall not be in proper form for recordation. All recorded writings shall be presumed to be in proper form for recording after having been recorded, and conclusively presumed to be in proper form for recording after having been recorded for a period of three years, except in cases of fraud.
1973, c. 161, § 55-106.2; 2008, cc. 117, 814; 2019, c. 712.
2023 Code of Virginia › Title 55.1 - Property and Conveyances › Chapter 6 - Recordation of Documents › § 55.1-603. Deed of real estate investment trust

Every deed that is to be recorded conveying property to or from a trust qualifying as a real estate investment trust shall include the complete address of the principal office of the trust. Failure to comply with the provisions of this section shall not invalidate any such deed.
1984, c. 474, § 55-106.4; 2002, c. 621; 2019, c. 712.
2023 Code of Virginia › Title 55.1 - Property and Conveyances › Chapter 6 - Recordation of Documents › § 55.1-604. When clerk may refuse document to be recorded

A clerk may refuse any document for recording in which the name of the person under which the document is to be indexed does not legibly appear or is not otherwise furnished.
1986, c. 277, § 55-106.5; 2019, c. 712.
2023 Code of Virginia › Title 55.1 - Property and Conveyances › Chapter 6 - Recordation of Documents › § 55.1-606. Standards for writings to be docketed or recorded

Except as provided in Article 4.1 (§ 17.1-258.2 et seq.) of Title 17.1 and for electronically signed or electronically notarized documents described in § 17.1-223, all writings that are to be recorded or docketed in the clerk's office of courts of record shall be an original or first generation printed form, or legible copy thereof, pen and ink, or typed ribbon copy and shall meet the standards for instruments as adopted under §§ 17.1-227 and 42.1-82 of the Virginia Public Records Act (§ 42.1-76 et seq.).
If a writing that does not conform to the requirements of this section or the standards for instruments adopted under § 17.1-227 and under § 42.1-82 of the Virginia Public Records Act (§ 42.1-76 et seq.) is accepted for recordation, it shall be deemed validly recorded and the clerk shall have no liability for accepting such a writing that does not meet the enumerated criteria in all the particulars.
The clerk of the circuit court of any jurisdiction shall be immune from suit arising from any acts or omissions relating to recordation of paper copies of electronically notarized documents pursuant to this section unless the clerk was grossly negligent or engaged in willful misconduct.
1924, p. 144; Michie Code 1942, § 5210a; Code 1950, § 55-108; 1983, c. 291; 1986, c. 346; 2005, c. 744; 2019, c. 712; 2021, Sp. Sess. I, c. 78.
2023 Code of Virginia › Title 55.1 - Property and Conveyances › Chapter 6 - Recordation of Documents › § 55.1-607. When original of writing once recorded is lost, how copy recorded elsewhere

If it is proper for any writing that has been recorded in a court of any county or city to be recorded in the court of another county or city and such writing, before being so recorded in such other court, is lost or mislaid, on affidavit of this fact, such court or the clerk of such court may record a copy of such writing from the records of another court, certified by its clerk, and the copy so recorded shall have the same effect as if the original had been recorded at the time the copy was recorded.
Code 1919, § 5212; Code 1950, § 55-109; 2019, c. 712.
2023 Code of Virginia › Title 55.1 - Property and Conveyances › Chapter 6 - Recordation of Documents › § 55.1-608. Certifications of recordation upon copies of certain instruments and subsequent recordation in other county or city

Whenever a mortgage or deed of trust instrument upon real or personal property located in more than one county or city is recorded in one such county or city, the party by whom it is so presented may deliver to the clerk of such court any number of executed and acknowledged copies of such instrument. The clerk shall fix to each such copy his certificate of recordation, certifying thereby the payment of the recordation tax levied by the Commonwealth, and shall return to the party presenting all such instruments all such copies except one, which shall be retained by the clerk for recordation in his office. Such certificate shall be conclusive evidence of the payment of the recordation tax indicated thereby, and the clerk in any other recording office in any other county or city shall accept for recordation in his office any such copy so certified.
1962, c. 301, § 55-109.1; 2019, c. 712.
2023 Code of Virginia › Title 55.1 - Property and Conveyances › Chapter 6 - Recordation of Documents › § 55.1-610. Recordation of copy of lost deed previously recorded in what is now West Virginia

In any case when any deed was duly recorded before the formation of the state of West Virginia in any county or city now within the limits of West Virginia and such deed, after diligent search, cannot be found, upon affidavit of that fact by any party in interest, his agent, or his attorney, any court of the Commonwealth in which, or the clerk's office of which, the original might be recorded, or the clerk of any such court, may record a copy of such deed from the records of the court of West Virginia, or the clerk's office of such court in which such deed is recorded, duly certified by the clerk of such court, under the seal of the court, and the recordation of such copy shall have the same effect as the recordation of the original.
Code 1919, § 5212; Code 1950, § 55-110; 2019, c. 712.
2023 Code of Virginia › Title 55.1 - Property and Conveyances › Chapter 6 - Recordation of Documents › § 55.1-613. Acknowledgments outside of the United States and its dependencies

A circuit court of any county or city, or the clerk of such court, shall also record any writing as is described in § 55.1-600 as to any person whose name is signed thereto upon the certificate under the official seal of any ambassador, minister plenipotentiary, minister resident, charge d'affaires, consul-general, consul, vice-consul, or commercial agent appointed by the government of the United States to any foreign country, or of the proper officer of any court of record of such country or of the mayor or other chief magistrate of any city, town, or corporation therein, that such writing was acknowledged by such person or proved as to him by two witnesses before any person having such appointment or before such court, mayor, or chief magistrate.
Code 1919, § 5206; Code 1950, § 55-114; 2019, c. 712.
2023 Code of Virginia › Title 55.1 - Property and Conveyances › Chapter 6 - Recordation of Documents › § 55.1-614. Acknowledgments by persons subject to Uniform Code of Military Justice; validation of certain acknowledgments

A circuit court of any county or city, or the clerk of such court, shall also record any writing as is described in § 55.1-600 as to any person whose name is signed thereto and who at the time of such acknowledgment:
1. Was a member of any of the Armed Forces of the United States, wherever they may have been;
2. Was employed by, or accompanying such armed forces outside the United States and outside the Canal Zone, Puerto Rico, Guam, and the Virgin Islands; or
3. Was subject to the Uniform Code of Military Justice of the United States outside of the United States, upon the certificate of any person authorized to take acknowledgments under 10 U.S.C. § 936(a), as amended.
Such certification shall be in substantially the same form as required by § 55.1-615.
Any acknowledgment taken before July 1, 1995, that is in substantial conformity with this section is hereby ratified, validated, and confirmed.
1964, c. 570, § 55-114.1; 1995, c. 48; 2019, c. 712.
2023 Code of Virginia › Title 55.1 - Property and Conveyances › Chapter 6 - Recordation of Documents › § 55.1-615. Acknowledgments taken before commissioned officers in military service

A circuit court of any county or city, or clerk of such court, shall also record any writing as is described in § 55.1-600 as to any person whose name is signed thereto who at the time of such acknowledgment was in active service in the Armed Forces of the United States, or as to the consort of such person, upon the certificate of any commissioned officer of the army, navy, marine corps, air force, coast guard, any state national guard that is federally recognized, or other branch of the service of which such person is a member, that such writing had been acknowledged before him by such person. Such certificate shall be written upon or attached to such writing and shall be substantially to the following effect:
In the army (or navy, etc.) of the United States.
I, ________, a commissioned officer of the army (or navy, marine corps, air force, coast guard, or other branch of service) of the United States with the rank of lieutenant (or ensign or other appropriate rank) whose home address is ________, do certify that E.F. (or E.F. and G.H., and so forth), whose name (or names) is (or are) signed to the writing above (or hereto attached), bearing date on the ______ day of ____, and who, or whose consort, is a private (corporal, seaman, captain, or other grade or rank) in the army (or navy, etc.) of the United States, and whose home address is ________, has (or have) acknowledged the same before me.
Given under my hand this ______ day of ______.
Such acknowledgment may be taken at any place where the officer taking the acknowledgment and the person whose name is signed to the writing may be. Such commissioned officer may take the acknowledgment of any person in any branch of the Armed Forces of the United States or the consort of such person.
Every acknowledgment executed prior to July 1, 1995, in substantial compliance with the provisions of this section is hereby validated, ratified, and confirmed, notwithstanding any error or omission with respect to any address, grade, or rank.
1942, p. 426; Michie Code 1942, § 5205a; 1944, p. 25; 1948, p. 393; Code 1950, § 55-115; 1964, c. 129; 1972, c. 458; 1995, c. 48; 2019, c. 712.
2023 Code of Virginia › Title 55.1 - Property and Conveyances › Chapter 6 - Recordation of Documents › § 55.1-616. "Notarial acts" defined; who may perform notarial acts outside the Commonwealth for use in the Commonwealth

A. For the purposes of this article, "notarial acts" means acts that the laws and regulations of the Commonwealth authorize notaries public of the Commonwealth to perform, including the administering of oaths and affirmations, taking proof of execution and acknowledgments of instruments, and attesting documents.
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 in the place in which the notarial act is performed;
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 U.S. Department of State to perform notarial acts in the place in which the notarial 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 a member of the Armed Forces of the United States; or
5. Any other person authorized to perform notarial acts in the place in which the notarial act is performed.
1970, c. 719, § 55-118.1; 2019, c. 712.
2023 Code of Virginia › Title 55.1 - Property and Conveyances › Chapter 6 - Recordation of Documents › § 55.1-617. Proof of authority of person performing notarial act

A. If the notarial act is performed by any of the persons described in subdivisions B 1 through 4 of § 55.1-616 other than a person authorized to perform notarial acts by the laws or regulations of a foreign country, the signature, rank, or title and serial number, if any, of the person are sufficient proof of the authority of a holder of that rank or title to perform the notarial act. Further proof of his authority is not required.
B. If the notarial act is performed by a person authorized by the laws or regulations of a foreign country to perform the notarial act, there is sufficient proof of the authority of that person to act if:
1. Either a foreign service officer of the United States resident in the country in which the notarial act is performed or a diplomatic or consular officer of the foreign country resident in the United States certifies that a person holding that office is authorized to perform the notarial act;
2. The official seal of the person performing the notarial act is affixed to the document; or
3. The title and indication of authority to perform notarial acts of the person appears either in a digest of foreign law or in a list customarily used as a source of such information.
C. If the notarial act is performed by a person other than one described in subsections A and B, there is sufficient proof of the authority of that person to act if the clerk of a court of record in the place in which the notarial act is performed certifies to the official character of that person and to his authority to perform the notarial act.
D. The signature and title of the person performing the notarial act are prima facie evidence that he is a person with the designated title and that the signature is genuine.
1970, c. 719, § 55-118.2; 2019, c. 712.
2023 Code of Virginia › Title 55.1 - Property and Conveyances › Chapter 6 - Recordation of Documents › § 55.1-618. What person taking acknowledgment shall certify

The person taking an acknowledgment shall certify that:
1. The person acknowledging appeared before him and acknowledged he executed the instrument; and
2. The person acknowledging was known to the person taking the acknowledgment or that the person taking the acknowledgment had satisfactory evidence that the person acknowledging was the person described in and who executed the instrument.
1970, c. 719, § 55-118.3; 2019, c. 712.
2023 Code of Virginia › Title 55.1 - Property and Conveyances › Chapter 6 - Recordation of Documents › § 55.1-619. When form of certificate of acknowledgment accepted

The form of a certificate of acknowledgment used by a person whose authority is recognized under § 55.1-616 shall be accepted in the Commonwealth if:
1. The certificate is in a form prescribed by the laws or regulations of the Commonwealth;
2. The certificate is in a form prescribed by the laws or regulations applicable in the place in which the acknowledgment is taken; or
3. The certificate contains the words "acknowledged before me" or their substantial equivalent.
1970, c. 719, § 55-118.4; 2019, c. 712.
2023 Code of Virginia › Title 55.1 - Property and Conveyances › Chapter 6 - Recordation of Documents › § 55.1-620. Meaning of "acknowledged before me."

For the purposes of this article, "acknowledged before me" means:
1. That the person acknowledging appeared before the person taking the acknowledgment;
2. That the person acknowledging acknowledged he executed the instrument;
3. That, in the case of:
a. A natural person acknowledging, he executed the instrument for the purposes stated in the instrument;
b. A corporation, the officer or agent acknowledged he held the position or title set forth in the instrument and certificate, he signed the instrument on behalf of the corporation by proper authority, and the instrument was the act of the corporation for the purpose stated in the instrument;
c. A partnership, the partner or agent acknowledged he signed the instrument on behalf of the partnership by proper authority and he executed the instrument as the act of the partnership for the purposes stated in the instrument;
d. A person acknowledging as principal by an attorney-in-fact, he executed the instrument by proper authority as the act of the principal for the purposes stated in the instrument; or
e. A person acknowledging as a public officer, trustee, administrator, guardian, conservator, or other representative, he signed the instrument by proper authority and he executed the instrument in the capacity and for the purposes stated in the instrument; and
4. That the person taking the acknowledgment either knew or had satisfactory evidence that the person acknowledging was the person named in the instrument or certificate.
1970, c. 719, § 55-118.5; 1997, c. 801; 2019, c. 712.
2023 Code of Virginia › Title 55.1 - Property and Conveyances › Chapter 6 - Recordation of Documents › § 55.1-621. Statutory short forms of acknowledgment

The forms of acknowledgment set forth in this section may be used and are sufficient for their respective purposes under any law of the Commonwealth. The following forms shall be known as "Statutory Short Forms of Acknowledgment" and may be referred to by that name. The authorization of the forms in this section does not preclude the use of other forms.
1. For an individual acting in his own right:
State of ________
County or city of ________
The foregoing instrument was acknowledged before me this (date) by (name of person acknowledged).
(Signature of Person Taking Acknowledgment)
(Title or Rank)
(Serial Number, if any)
2. For a corporation:
State of ________
County or city of ________
The foregoing instrument was acknowledged before me this (date) by (name of officer or agent, title of officer or agent) of (name of corporation acknowledging) a (state or place of incorporation) corporation, on behalf of the corporation.
(Signature of Person Taking Acknowledgment)
(Title or Rank)
(Serial Number, if any)
3. For a partnership:
State of ________
County or city of ________
The foregoing instrument was acknowledged before me this (date) by (name of acknowledging partner or agent), partner (or agent) on behalf of (name of partnership), a partnership.
(Signature of Person Taking Acknowledgment)
(Title or Rank)
(Serial Number, if any)
4. For an individual acting as principal by an attorney-in-fact:
State of ________
County or city of ________
The foregoing instrument was acknowledged before me this (date) by (name of attorney-in-fact) as attorney-in-fact on behalf of (name of principal).
(Signature of Person Taking Acknowledgment)
(Title or Rank)
(Serial Number, if any)
5. By any public officer, trustee, or personal representative:
State of ________
County or city of ________
The foregoing instrument was acknowledged before me this (date) by (name and title of position).
(Signature of Person Taking Acknowledgment)
(Title or Rank)
(Serial Number, if any)
1970, c. 719, § 55-118.6; 2019, c. 712.
2023 Code of Virginia › Title 55.1 - Property and Conveyances › Chapter 6 - Recordation of Documents › § 55.1-622. Application of article; article cumulative

A notarial act performed prior to June 26, 1970, is not affected by this article. This article provides an additional method of proving notarial acts. Nothing in this article diminishes or invalidates the recognition accorded to notarial acts by other laws or regulations of the Commonwealth.
1970, c. 719, § 55-118.7; 2019, c. 712.
2023 Code of Virginia › Title 55.1 - Property and Conveyances › Chapter 6 - Recordation of Documents › § 55.1-624. Deeds of corporations; how to be executed and acknowledged

All deeds made by corporations shall be signed in the name of the corporation by the president or acting president, or any vice-president, or by such other person as may be authorized to do so by the board of directors of such corporation, and, if such deed is to be recorded, the person signing the name of the corporation shall acknowledge such authority in the manner provided by § 55.1-625.
Code 1919, § 5208; 1920, p. 586; Code 1950, § 55-119; 1959, Ex. Sess., c. 41; 1975, c. 500; 2019, c. 712.
2023 Code of Virginia › Title 55.1 - Property and Conveyances › Chapter 6 - Recordation of Documents › § 55.1-625. Acknowledgments on behalf of corporations and others

When any writing purports to have been signed on behalf or by authority of any person or corporation, or in any representative capacity whatsoever, the certificate of the acknowledgment by the person so signing the writing shall be sufficient for the purposes of this and §§ 55.1-600, 55.1-612, 55.1-613, and 55.1-615, and for the recordation of such writing as to the person or corporation on whose behalf it is signed, or as to the representative character of the person so signing the writing, as the case may be, without expressing that such acknowledgment was on behalf or by authority of such other person or corporation or was in a representative capacity. In the case of a writing signed on behalf or by authority of any person or corporation or in any representative capacity, a certificate to the following effect shall be sufficient:
State (or territory or district) of ________, county (or city) of ________,: I, ________, a ________ (here insert the official title of the person certifying the acknowledgment) in and for the state (or territory or district) and county (or city) aforesaid, do certify that ________ (here insert the name or names of the persons signing the writing on behalf of the person or corporation, or the name of the person signing the writing in a representative capacity), whose name (or names) is (or are) signed to the writing above, bearing date on the ____ day of ____, has (or have) acknowledged the same before me in my county (or city) aforesaid. Given under my hand this ____ day of ____.
Code 1919, § 5207; Code 1950, § 55-120; 2019, c. 712.
2023 Code of Virginia › Title 55.1 - Property and Conveyances › Chapter 6 - Recordation of Documents › § 55.1-626. Corporate acknowledgment taken before officer or stockholder

Any notary or other officer duly authorized to take acknowledgments may take the acknowledgment to any deed or other writing executed by a company or to a company or for the benefit of a company, although he may be a stockholder, an officer, or both, in such company, provided that he is not otherwise interested in the property conveyed or disposed of by such deed or other writing, and nothing herein shall be construed to authorize any officer to take an acknowledgment to any deed or other writing executed by such company by and through him as an officer or stockholder of such company, or to him for the benefit of such company.
Code 1919, § 5209; 1926, p. 340; Code 1950, § 55-121; 2019, c. 712.
2023 Code of Virginia › Title 55.1 - Property and Conveyances › Chapter 6 - Recordation of Documents › § 55.1-627. Acts of notaries public, etc., who have held certain other offices

All certificates of acknowledgment to deeds and other writings, taken and certified by notaries public and commissioners in chancery, and all depositions taken, accounts and reports made, and decrees executed by any notary public, commissioner in chancery, or commissioner of accounts, who, since January 1, 1989, may have held the office of county treasurer, sheriff, attorney for the Commonwealth, county clerk, commissioner of the revenue, superintendent of the poor, county surveyor, or supervisor shall be held and are hereby declared valid and effective in all respects if otherwise valid and effective according to the law then in force.
1920, p. 340; Michie Code 1942, § 5209c; Code 1950, § 55-122; 1976, c. 685; 1984, c. 35; 1989, c. 602; 2019, c. 712.
2023 Code of Virginia › Title 55.1 - Property and Conveyances › Chapter 6 - Recordation of Documents › § 55.1-628. Validation of acknowledgments when seal not affixed

When a certificate of acknowledgment was made prior to July 1, 1995, to any instrument in writing required by this chapter to be acknowledged and the notary or other official whether of this or some other state taking such acknowledgment failed to affix his official seal to such certificate of acknowledgment when a seal was necessary, the certificate of acknowledgment shall be as valid for all purposes as if such seal had been affixed, and the deed shall be, and shall since such date have been, notice to all persons as effectually as if such seal had been affixed, provided that such acknowledgment was in other respects sufficient.
1924, p. 359; Michie Code 1942, § 5207a; Code 1950, § 55-123; 1964, c. 57; 1976, c. 685; 1984, c. 35; 1989, c. 602; 1995, c. 48; 2019, c. 712.
2023 Code of Virginia › Title 55.1 - Property and Conveyances › Chapter 6 - Recordation of Documents › § 55.1-629. Acknowledgment taken by trustee in deed of trust

All certificates of acknowledgment to deeds of trust made and certified prior to March 23, 1936, by persons being trustees in such deeds shall be held and are hereby declared valid and effective in all respects if otherwise valid according to the law then in force, and each such deed of trust that has been recorded in any clerk's office in the Commonwealth upon such a certificate shall be held to be duly and regularly recorded if such recordation is otherwise valid according to the law then in force.
Nothing in this section shall affect or diminish the rights or remedies of any person who intervened after the recordation of any such deed of trust but prior to March 23, 1936.
1936, p. 371; 1940, p. 129; Michie Code 1942, § 5207b; Code 1950, § 55-124; 2019, c. 712.
2023 Code of Virginia › Title 55.1 - Property and Conveyances › Chapter 6 - Recordation of Documents › § 55.1-630. Acknowledgment taken by trustee in deed of trust; later date

Any certificate of acknowledgment of any deed of trust, taken and certified prior to July 1, 1995, by a person named as trustee therein who was, at the time of taking the acknowledgment, an officer authorized by law to take acknowledgments of deeds, is declared to be as valid and of the same force and effect as if such person had not been a trustee in the deed of trust. Subject to the provisions of § 55.1-602, however, this section shall not affect any right or remedy of any third party that accrued after the recordation of the deed of trust and before July 1, 1995.
1948, p. 392; Michie Suppl. 1948, § 5207b1; Code 1950, § 55-125; 1952, c. 109; 1956, c. 706; 1958, c. 218; 1962, c. 367; 1966, cc. 137, 492; 1968, c. 4; 1972, c. 631; 1976, c. 685; 1980, c. 143; 1984, c. 35; 1989, c. 602; 1995, c. 48; 2019, c. 712.
2023 Code of Virginia › Title 55.1 - Property and Conveyances › Chapter 6 - Recordation of Documents › § 55.1-631. Certain acknowledgments taken and certified before July 1, 1995

All certificates of acknowledgments to deeds and other writings taken and certified prior to July 1, 1995, by commissioners of deeds of states other than the Commonwealth, appointed or commissioned by the governor of such state, and by notaries public appointed or commissioned by the Governor of the Commonwealth, or appointed or commissioned under the laws of any state other than the Commonwealth, or any other officer authorized under this chapter to take and certify acknowledgments of deeds and other writings, that omit the citation of the date of the deed or certificate where it is clear from the content of the entire certificate and the instrument that has been acknowledged that the identity of the instrument or the certificate is the same, or if it can reasonably be inferred from the certificate of the person recording the instrument or other writing that the certificate refers to the same instrument, shall be held and are hereby declared valid and effective in all respects if otherwise valid according to the law then in force, or otherwise appear valid upon their face, and all such deeds and other writings that have been recorded in any clerk's office in the Commonwealth upon such certificates shall be held to be duly and regularly recorded if such recordation is otherwise valid according to the law then in force.
1968, c. 297, § 55-125.1; 1972, c. 631; 1976, c. 685; 1984, c. 35; 1989, c. 602; 1995, c. 48; 2019, c. 712.
2023 Code of Virginia › Title 55.1 - Property and Conveyances › Chapter 6 - Recordation of Documents › § 55.1-632. Acknowledgments taken by certain justices of the peace, mayors, etc.

All certificates of acknowledgment to deeds and other writings taken and certified prior to July 1, 1995, by justices of the peace, mayors of cities or towns, police justices, and civil and police justices who by virtue of their offices had the powers and authority of justices of the peace, when such justices of the peace, mayors, police justices, or civil and police justices are designated in the certificates of acknowledgments as mayors, police justices, or civil and police justices shall be held and are hereby declared valid and effective in all respects if otherwise valid according to the law then in force.
1920, p. 405; 1936, p. 466; Michie Code 1942, §§ 5207c, 5209b; Code 1950, § 55-126; 1976, c. 685; 1984, c. 35; 1989, c. 602; 1995, c. 48; 2019, c. 712.
2023 Code of Virginia › Title 55.1 - Property and Conveyances › Chapter 6 - Recordation of Documents › § 55.1-633. Acknowledgments taken by officers after expiration of terms

All certificates of acknowledgment to deeds and other writings taken and certified prior to July 1, 1995, by commissioners of deeds of states other than the Commonwealth, appointed or commissioned by the governor of such state, and by notaries public appointed or commissioned by the Governor of the Commonwealth, or appointed or commissioned under the laws of any state other than the Commonwealth, or any other officer authorized under this chapter to take and certify acknowledgments to deeds and other writings who took and certified such acknowledgments after their term of office had expired, shall be held and are hereby declared valid and effective in all respects if otherwise valid according to the law then in force or appear to be valid upon their face, and all such deeds and other writings that have been recorded in any clerk's office in the Commonwealth upon such certificates shall be held to be duly and regularly recorded if such recordation is otherwise valid according to the law then in force.
1924, p. 57; 1926, p. 102; 1928, p. 996; Michie Code 1942, § 5209d; Code 1950, § 55-127; 1964, c. 384; 1966, c. 492; 1968, c. 4; 1972, c. 631; 1976, c. 685; 1984, c. 35; 1989, c. 602; 1995, c. 48; 2019, c. 712.
2023 Code of Virginia › Title 55.1 - Property and Conveyances › Chapter 6 - Recordation of Documents › § 55.1-634. Acknowledgments taken by notaries in service during World War I

All certificates of acknowledgment to deeds and other writings taken and certified in the Commonwealth prior to June 18, 1920, by notaries public who served in the army, navy, or marine corps of the United States during World War I shall be held and are hereby declared valid and effective in all respects if otherwise valid according to the law then in force.
1920, p. 69; Michie Code 1942, § 5209a; Code 1950, § 55-128; 2019, c. 712.
2023 Code of Virginia › Title 55.1 - Property and Conveyances › Chapter 6 - Recordation of Documents › § 55.1-635. Acknowledgments before foreign officials who failed to affix seals

All certificates of acknowledgment to deeds and other writings made and certified prior to July 1, 1995, before officials in any foreign country authorized by law to take and certify such acknowledgments, to which such officials failed to affix their official seals, shall be held and are hereby declared valid and effective in all respects if otherwise valid according to the law then in force.
1918, p. 108; Michie Code 1942, § 5209f; Code 1950, § 55-129; 1976, c. 685; 1984, c. 35; 1989, c. 602; 1995, c. 48; 2019, c. 712.
2023 Code of Virginia › Title 55.1 - Property and Conveyances › Chapter 6 - Recordation of Documents › § 55.1-636. Acknowledgments taken by notaries in foreign countries

All certificates of acknowledgment to deeds and other writings taken and certified prior to July 1, 1995, by notaries public residing in foreign countries shall be held and are hereby declared valid and effective in all respects if otherwise valid according to the law then in force.
1918, p. 506; 1936, p. 101; Michie Code 1942, §§ 5209e, 5209k; Code 1950, § 55-130; 1960, c. 285; 1972, c. 631; 1976, c. 685; 1984, c. 35; 1989, c. 602; 1995, c. 48; 2019, c. 712.
2023 Code of Virginia › Title 55.1 - Property and Conveyances › Chapter 6 - Recordation of Documents › § 55.1-637. Acknowledgments taken by officer who was spouse of grantee

Any certificate of acknowledgment to a deed or other writings taken prior to July 1, 1995, by a notary public or other officer duly authorized to take acknowledgments who at the time of taking such acknowledgment was the spouse of the grantee in the deed or other instrument shall be held and is hereby declared valid and effective in all respects if otherwise valid according to the law then in force. All acknowledgments of conveyances to a fiduciary taken before an officer who is the husband or wife of such officer and who has no beneficial or monetary interest other than possible commissions or legal fees shall be conclusively presumed valid.
1926, p. 747; Michie Code 1942, § 5209g; Code 1950, § 55-131; 1952, c. 244; 1966, c. 137; 1972, c. 631; 1976, c. 685; 1984, c. 35; 1989, c. 602; 1995, c. 48; 2019, c. 712.
2023 Code of Virginia › Title 55.1 - Property and Conveyances › Chapter 6 - Recordation of Documents › § 55.1-638. Acknowledgment when notary certifies erroneously as to expiration of commission

All certificates of acknowledgment to deeds and other writings taken and certified prior to July 1, 1995, by a notary public appointed or commissioned by the Governor, or appointed or commissioned under the laws of any state other than the Commonwealth, who mistakenly or by error certified that his commission had expired at the time he made such certificate, when in fact his commission had not at that time expired, shall be held and are hereby declared valid and effective in all respects if otherwise valid according to the law of the Commonwealth then in force, and the date and life of the notary's commission may be proved aliunde his certificate in any proceeding in which the capacity or authority of such notary is or shall be questioned, and all such deeds and other writings that have been recorded in any clerk's office in the Commonwealth upon such certificates shall be held to be duly and regularly recorded if such recordation is otherwise valid according to the law then in force.
1928, p. 996; Michie Code 1942, § 5209h; Code 1950, § 55-132; 1976, c. 685; 1984, c. 35; 1989, c. 602; 1995, c. 48; 2019, c. 712.
2023 Code of Virginia › Title 55.1 - Property and Conveyances › Chapter 6 - Recordation of Documents › § 55.1-639. Acknowledgments before officer of city or county consolidating, etc., prior to expiration date of commission

All certificates of acknowledgment to deeds and other writings taken and certified by a notary public or other officer originally duly authorized to take acknowledgments in any city or county that consolidated with other political subdivisions or became a city, as the case may be, prior to the normal expiration date of the commission of such notary public or other officer are hereby declared to be valid to the same extent they would have been valid as if such notary public or other officer had been commissioned for such consolidated political subdivision or city to which any such county was transformed.
1952, Ex. Sess., c. 14, § 55-132.1; 2019, c. 712.
2023 Code of Virginia › Title 55.1 - Property and Conveyances › Chapter 6 - Recordation of Documents › § 55.1-640. Acknowledgments taken before notary whose commission has expired

All certificates of acknowledgment to deeds and other writings taken and certified prior to March 22, 1930, by notaries public appointed or commissioned by the Governor who took and certified such acknowledgments after their term of office had expired shall be held and are hereby declared valid and effective in all respects if otherwise valid according to the law then in force, and all such deeds and other writings that have been recorded in any clerk's office in the Commonwealth upon such certificates shall be held to be duly and regularly recorded if such recordation is otherwise valid according to the law then in force.
1930, p. 572; Michie Code 1942, § 5209i; Code 1950, § 55-133; 2019, c. 712.